2001 Third Team Reports

Sunday

Our season didn't start until May 20th with a game against Tabard Pilgrims, always an enjoyable fixture. Scott Bradley became available at short notice, so not having an opening bowler invite Scott to start us off. 14 overs and 4 wickets, not a bad start. Andy Bond chipped in with three wickets leaving Tabards 151 at tea. Suitably rested Scott opens the batting, someone has to. Dick Duggan (27) and Scott (60) put on 89 runs for the first wicket. Lawrence Brown adds (35*) - a win! Problem arrives when Dick comes to write the match report - Tabard's team list has a Teddy Boy, Fu Fu, Major Minor, Nanette, The Judge!! Not quite right for the Advertiser. Dick being a Birmingham City fan list the Blue's 1st XI as our opponents (well spotted Ollie Lowe on the guestbook).

Next up, a strong Little Missenden side. They put on 214. George Taylor 3 wickets and Colin Callaghan 2 wickets the best of the bowling. Our reply is rather poor with only Lawrence Brown (61) putting any runs together. We end that match in second place.

Away to Widmer End, who bat first and put on 131 at tea with George Taylor bagging 5 wickets and 3 wickets for Trevor Plowman. Our reply Trevor (45) then a bit of a collapse 'til George Taylor steadied things with (38*) with support from colt Charlie Sheldon (9) nearly take us to victory, but we fall to a family called Collins who take all Taplow wickets between them.

New fixture Royal Ascot 2nd XI. Colin Callaghan picks up 4 wickets as a depleted Taplow with only 10 men are set 182 to get. Dick Duggan (20), colt Mark Hogan (11), George Taylor (17*) and top scorer Roy Prosser (28) see us to a draw. This fixture by all account was enjoyed by all.

Wooburn Narks 2nd XI. The mismatch of the season. Their opener Morris scores (101) along with a few from the rest declaring on 188 on a very HOT day. Press gang Derek Newman into opening. He and Dick put on 59. Derek Newman (31) and Dick (20) a quick 25 from Andy Bond (5 fours) and not much from the rest of us wilting in the sun.

Bix at home. A useful guest appearance from Glen Plowman (43) gives us the runs we've been looking for. A tempting total of 122 is set for Bix. Trevor and Glen Plowman open the bowling Glen bags 5 wickets and George Taylor also picks up 5 wickets, to see us win by 9 runs.

Mein hosts S.G.I. at Taplow court, they bat first and put on 112. Lawrence Brown 3 wickets and Cogsy 2 wickets, the best of our bowling. In reply a steady 41 runs from Trevor Plowman put us on the right track. Mark Langham for S.G.I. makes getting runs difficult, 38 runs from 17 overs, Suman takes 5 wickets but George Taylor (12*) and Roy Prosser (13*) see us home.

I.C.L. put on 174. Trevor Plowman 4 wickets is our best bowler. In reply the top go cheaply then enter Nathan Khan (42) along with Mr. Taylor (52) to get us on the road to success but both get out. It's left to Mark Hogan and Greg Lightfoot to set about the final 24 runs both are not out one a piece, we just run out of overs! Match drawn.

Wealdstone. We have them 20 for 4. I knew it would not last, a stand of 102 take them on to 151 at tea. 3 wickets for Alistair Ideson. A rare appearance from Keith Franklin for us this season, he at number 4 steadies the ship after losing the top order. Keith (54) holds us together with a fine stand of 43 runs with colt Ollie Brown (24) only 14 runs short of our target Keith gets caught. Our innings over but an entertaining game all the same.

Chiswick and Latymer 4th XI. Conference fixture, not knowing their strength invite them to bat. They put on a steady 146 at tea with Alistair Ideson again picking up 3 wickets for 16 off 8 overs. George Taylor 3 wickets and Glen Plowman 2 wickets. For one week only guest appearance from Ollie Ideson he and brother Alistair put on 74 runs. Ollie (62*), Allie (36) see us to a 9 wicket win.

Marlow. The day the black book came good. With only 6 regular players available on Friday night the depths of the black book were scoured, possible faint chance Bob Bryant why not? "I'm playing golf Sunday morning with Dave Vincent, I'll get him to play, need anymore?" He brings Andy Tabb also playing golf, up to nine. Andy Bond, son Michael and his friend Biddi make up the 3! Convince Mike Harlow, Marlow's skipper, he ought to bat first - not his intention. I promise him I'll bowl if he loses too many wickets. I'm not required Marlow reach 198 at tea. Asked Glen Plowman to stay in as long as possible 86 runs later (it should have been a well deserved 100, considering our batting line up that day). Credit to Andy Tabb (14) who put on 61 runs with Glen. With overs running out and Dave Vincent and Greg Lightfoot at the crease it had to be a draw. Well done to all who stepped in at short notice.

Southside bat first and put on 180 at tea, young Ollie Brown picks up 3 wickets in his 8 over spell. In reply Keith Franklin (27) and Lawrence Brown (55) put on 74 runs. Rain affected the outcome and we had to settle for a draw.

Bix away. A vintage Taplow 3rd XI side with many a seasoned campaign behind them, team order is just automatic. An apt time to capture this line up on camera for posterity "The Classic 3rd XI". Out in the middle it's a typical Bix wicket, a day to win the toss but no, put into bat. But with this batting line up the batting goes on and on and on! Let's just say the wheels fell off. We take to the field a little bit earlier than expected after shall we say a modest score. Tea to follow Alistair and Glen open our reply, Ally gets a wicket in his second over Glen in his second picks up a hat trick. He gets 2 more to finish with 5 wickets for 8 runs. The inevitable outcome is a win for Bix by 4 wickets. Just to cap it all its too early for the pub (still washing glasses from lunch I expect).

Ruislip last game of the season, Ruislip bat first. Our bowling line up is in a mean mood, Colin Callaghan's 12 overs results in only 26 runs and George Taylor's 12 overs for 28 runs and 3 wickets. Keith Franklin tops the day with 5 wickets for 9 runs off 9 overs. This along with tight fielding and catching from Dave Wigmore, J. Bowyer, Tom Lightfoot to see Ruislip at tea 124. Our reply, we give 3rd XI debut to James Kent (23) with Dick Duggan, the pair put on an opening of 56 we lose James but Dick as he has in the past decides to get this season's 50 on the last day (56*) along with Glen (23*) see us to victory.

As with any season we rely on colts to come through and establish themselves in the club and the likes of Ollie Brown, Lawrence Brown, Charlie Sheldon, Tom Lightfoot, Mark Hogan, Michael Bond and Phil Biddiscombe. Most of those mentioned have been around a couple of seasons now and the progress they have made can only benefit them and the club, keep it up.

As a side we rely on guests and a big thank you to all who took part. Thanks as always to Dick for being vice skipper on and off the field. Your help and advice is much appreciated. To the behind the scenes team who make it happen, thanks to Alan Sibley for preparing the wicket, Simon Christy for fixtures, Dave Wigmore assisting in ground preparation and to Brian May for scoring. Thank you to our essential band of ladies who each week provide us with excellent teas, Mandy Lightfoot, Chris Duggan, Lynn Prosser, Wilma Plowman, Ann Newman and Lynn Taylor.

P .S. THE LITTLE MAN AWARD this year goes to a collective group, to single one out would be unfair to the others we all deserve it, the 29ers.

P.P.S. Well done to George Taylor on winning both 3rd XI batting and bowling awards.

Greg Lightfoot
Third Team Captain