The Marrows v Rest of The World
Alscot Park
Friday 15th July 2011
Warming up for Classic CliMAX
The Marrows plan their campaign
It should be a great advantage in CliMAX to know the final target you are chasing and it was the Marrows who had this advantage in the battle of the giants at Alscot Park on Friday evening. This meant The Rest of the World squad had to find two batters to open proceedings after a quick but thorough introduction to the rules by CliMAX conceiver Peter L Gregory on the pavilion veranda. Skipper Tom Grundy picked on newcomer Peter Richards and CliMAX-Original Alex Fisher.
Rest of World batting – Over 1
Charlie Tyler opens with the orange ball
New Marrow, Charlie Tyler was chosen by CliMAX-Kid and captain of the World Champions, Nat Gregory, to open the bowling. Richards got off strike with a single and Fisher showed his intent with a two and four before missing a straight one, giving Charlie Tyler his maiden CliMAX wicket. Confidence then high Tyler finished the 10 ball over economically with figures of 1 for 11.
Rest of World batting – Over 2
Spenny bowls, James Perkins non striker, Peter L Gregory officiates
Matt Spencer came on next, fresh from 4 wickets against Moreton, and prepared to flight his off spinners in order to tempt a rash shot from Richards or his new partner young James Perkins. Perkins found singles easy with fielder round the boundary, but Richards was more adventurous and crossed the boundary for one four and cleared it for a MAXimum. The score was 26 at the end of the second over.
Rest of World batting – Over 3
James Perkins slides back his foot after being stumped
Craig Robins of Shipston experienced CliMAX in the Ebrington CliMAX-Sixes 2010 where he was a prolific batter and handy wicketkeeper, but today Nat Gregory called on him to bowl the third over. He enticed a big shot from Richards, but it was not big enough to clear Jack Groves who moved in from long on and took the catch comfortably. The batters had crossed and this allowed Perkins to attempt a similar stroke next ball. He completely missed and was quickly stumped by Mark ‘Mushy’ Weston of Welford. New batters Ben Pigott and captain Tom Grundy had the task of re-building though the rest of Robins over. Grundy set about tactics of play one; smash one…..and cleared the boundary for the first of three MAXima on his second ball. Nevertheless, Grundy could not spoil the bowling figures of Craig Robins whose over claimed 2 wickets for 19 runs.
Rest of World batting – Over 4
Tom Grundy was now permitted to take his time-out and take an early look at the batting abilities of the Marrows, but with only 15 on the board opted to use another over to accumulate a larger score in the hope of putting the Marrows under a little more pressure. All seemed to be going to plan for Grundy as Pigott scored a boundary and Grundy himself scored another MAXimum. However, Pigott went for a quick single dropping the ball down in the middle of the cut strip. Mushy ran from behind the stumps and gathered the ball and had the peace of mind to run to the bowlers stumps to take off the bails before Pigott crossed the line. Pigott immediately looked to Peter L Gregory, now umpiring (and scoring) and pointed out the Mushy was in the In-Play Box and the run out should not stand. Unfortunately, the Alscot Park Groundsman had not fancied having a box drawn on the pitch and so prior to the game it was agreed not to enforce this CliMAX rule. Pigott, clearly disgusted, accepted the decision and made his way back to the pavilion, out for just 7.
Grundy on strike struck bowler Groves for another MAXimum and now sensed a chance for MAX sequence. He was eying up the mid-wicket boundary when Groves cleverly bowled a slow delivery well wide of off-stump. Out of reach of Grundy, Mushy gathered and had the bails off before Grundy could utter an expletive. Mushy had had a hand in the last three dismissals and was proving to be valuable to the Marrows in the first phase of this epic CliMATCH.
The Rest of the World now had Tom’s younger brother Jack in with Sean Morris. They knocked the rest of Groves over around the park but could only take the total to 8. Tom Grundy’s plan had been frustrated by the run-out and Groves intelligent bowling, but called his teams time-out all the same.
Grundy on strike struck bowler Groves for another MAXimum and now sensed a chance for MAX sequence. He was eying up the mid-wicket boundary when Groves cleverly bowled a slow delivery well wide of off-stump. Out of reach of Grundy, Mushy gathered and had the bails off before Grundy could utter an expletive. Mushy had had a hand in the last three dismissals and was proving to be valuable to the Marrows in the first phase of this epic CliMATCH.
The Rest of the World now had Tom’s younger brother Jack in with Sean Morris. They knocked the rest of Groves over around the park but could only take the total to 8. Tom Grundy’s plan had been frustrated by the run-out and Groves intelligent bowling, but called his teams time-out all the same.
Marrows batting – Over 1
Michael Perkins approaches the crease
The CliMAX-Kid felt no pressure from this situation and was able to send in young George Tyler to open with Liam Cullen with the idea of slowly building a total to overtake and pressure ‘The Rest’. Tom Grundy turned to Michael Perkins, who despite his vast experience of cricket was a complete novice to CliMAX. He is the 100th player to experience CliMAX and now the oldest. He had kindly stood at square leg umpiring in the first four overs of this match and had not been given a chance to loosen up. His first delivery went down the leg side for a wide and when the second followed he had already conceded 11 in MAXtras. Tyler and Cullen worked easy singles, but the wily fox was finding his range and slow straight one bamboozled George Tyler given Perky a valuable CliMAX wicket.
Mark Mushy Weston, plies his trade as a golf professional, and must be used to hitting his first shot of each round a country mile. His approach to batting number three in CliMAX was no different. Perkins obliged with a free hit following a wide and Mushy smashed the next straight down the fairway. He must have visualised a long par 5, because he played a similar breath-taking drive to the next delivery and his score raced on to 110. Perkins was relieved to keep the last two deliveries down to 6 and finished the over with interesting figures of 1 for 119.
Mark Mushy Weston, plies his trade as a golf professional, and must be used to hitting his first shot of each round a country mile. His approach to batting number three in CliMAX was no different. Perkins obliged with a free hit following a wide and Mushy smashed the next straight down the fairway. He must have visualised a long par 5, because he played a similar breath-taking drive to the next delivery and his score raced on to 110. Perkins was relieved to keep the last two deliveries down to 6 and finished the over with interesting figures of 1 for 119.
Marrows batting – Over 2
MAXimum - first of many for Mushy
Alex Fisher was chosen to open the bowling despite his earlier lack of impact as an opening bat. Liam Squealer Cullen gave the strike away to Mushy and leant on his bat admiringly at the non-strikers end as Mushy hit a further three MAXima off Fisher. At the end of this over Mushy was on 230 and the Marrows we on a handy 252.
Marrows batting – Over 3
Tom Grundy bowls fast and straight
Tom Grundy knew something desperate was needed. For this fielding team in CliMAX, this means a wicket and Grundy had the self-belief to bring himself in to the attack at this early juncture. He largely tamed Mushy, who took only one more MAXimum, but a three towards the end of the over left Squealer on strike. Grundy’s pace was too much and his off stump went flying.
Like Grundy, Gregory did not fancy taking a time-out with the score at the end of the third over so low – just 1 – and so batted on with The Face of CliMAX, Josh Mamba Collins joining Mushy at the crease.
Like Grundy, Gregory did not fancy taking a time-out with the score at the end of the third over so low – just 1 – and so batted on with The Face of CliMAX, Josh Mamba Collins joining Mushy at the crease.
Marrows batting – Over 4
Mushy starts a kiloMAX sequence
Peter Richards bowled the 4th over at the Marrows and half way through with only 9 scored was feeling good. Mushy then started a kiloMAX sequence aided by a wide after the first MAXimum. This was just what the doctor ordered and Nat Gregory pulled off his batters for a time-out with the score on 1122 and Mushy’s own contribution 1123.
Rest of World batting – Over 5
Sean Morris gets set against Fred Rawlings
Sean Morris and Jack Grundy were given the task of handling one CliMAX’s leading wicket takers – Fred Rawlings – resumption of The Rest’s innings. The did this calmly and took 21 from it including one MAXimum for Morris.
Rest of World batting – Over 6
Squealer is slow and tempting and batters can easily lose their heads, but tonight Morris and Jack Grundy ensured a score of each delivery and Morris hit one more MAXimum. Thirty runs came off the over and the score became a little more respectable 59 after 6.
Rest of World batting – Over 7
Sean Morris clears the fence
Tom Duckie Clarkson has had highs and lows bowling his leggies in CliMAX. He was unfortunate to videoed being struck for a kiloMAX sequence last year (see U Tube) but has taken many vital wickets. Neither fate was to befall Duckie tonight. His over went for 32 and no wickets. Morris was content to hit the bad balls and thereby took two more MAXima during this over. Jack Grundy reliably gave Morris the strike at every opportunity.
Rest of World batting – Over 8
George Tyler responds with economical over
Young George Tyler might have been the weak link in this strong Marrow line-up and it seemed surprising the CliMAX-Kid had kept him back for one of the crucial last few overs. Tyler responded well, only conceding 23 of which inevitably Morris scored one MAXimum.
Rest of World batting – Over 9
CliMAX-Kid mixes it up
Gregory bowled himself for the 9th over and mixed off spin with pace. The over will mainly be remembered for an incident when his pace was too much for keeper – now Charlie Tyler – who spilt one ball onto the helmet behind. There was no argument that 5 penalty runs should be awarded, but what had not been considered before was whether this should result in a free-hit. As this had not been laid down in the laws of CliMAX, this was not enforced, though there is a good argument the laws should be amended for future.
Morris and Grundy took 25 off Gregory’s over and with that the score was 139.
Morris and Grundy took 25 off Gregory’s over and with that the score was 139.
Rest of World batting – Over 10
Jack Grundy anchors innings
The problem in CliMAX is knowing what total to set. Clearly The Rest were about 1000 runs behind the Marrows at this stage and losing heavily. But a wicket would change all that and then a score over 100 might provide pressure enough on incoming batters.
The Marrows had not provided a full complement of bowlers and so The Rest were entitled to select a bowler to return for one more over to finish the innings. Senior batter Morris called on Squealer who obliged without the protests one might expect of a squealer.
The Rest’s tactics were clear to see with more dot balls in this last over than in any other in the innings, but equally, neither Morris nor Grundy would allow a bad ball to pass and Morris put a high no-ball out of the park for his 6th MAXimum and Grundy played a nice shot for his first MAXimum. The extra 28 took The Rest to 168 as their final total. Morris (103*) and Jack Grundy (42*) had batted throughout more than 6 overs. Cullen finished with 2 overs 0 for 58.
The Marrows had not provided a full complement of bowlers and so The Rest were entitled to select a bowler to return for one more over to finish the innings. Senior batter Morris called on Squealer who obliged without the protests one might expect of a squealer.
The Rest’s tactics were clear to see with more dot balls in this last over than in any other in the innings, but equally, neither Morris nor Grundy would allow a bad ball to pass and Morris put a high no-ball out of the park for his 6th MAXimum and Grundy played a nice shot for his first MAXimum. The extra 28 took The Rest to 168 as their final total. Morris (103*) and Jack Grundy (42*) had batted throughout more than 6 overs. Cullen finished with 2 overs 0 for 58.
Marrows batting – Over 5
Jack Groves bowled by Groves - Jim Harcourt avoids the bails
Resuming their innings on 1122, The Marrows had only to block out for 6 overs to win this CliMATCH. By now Manager of the Rest of The World, Will Noble had arrived and he had other ideas. He bowled fast and straight and it took only two deliveries at Mark Mushy Weston to have him walking back to the pavilion. Nevertheless, Mushy’s innings of 1288 from 24 balls was a highlight in the entertainment of the evening.
Noble’s wicket brought exciting young Campden cricketer Jack Groves to the crease, but Noble was in no mood to go easy on this Marrow. He had bowled Groves before the end of the over. Will Noble’s over had turned the match around and his stunning figures of 2 for 8 was the pick of the evening.
Noble’s wicket brought exciting young Campden cricketer Jack Groves to the crease, but Noble was in no mood to go easy on this Marrow. He had bowled Groves before the end of the over. Will Noble’s over had turned the match around and his stunning figures of 2 for 8 was the pick of the evening.
Marrows batting – Over 6
The bowling of Harry Abel
The Face was now with The Kid and this pair have more CliMAX experience than any other cricketers. They found the bowling of Harry Abel comfortable and both helped themselves to a MAXimum in taking 31 from his over.
Marrows batting – Over 7
Castled Kid chooses his words carefully
Gregory’s reputation as a batter in CliMAX is unsurpassed and Grundy had to play his trump card early before The CliMAX-Kid got set. The rain clouds had banked up rapidly and the light was dimming as Ben Pigott ran in fast for the 7th over. The Kid groped hesitantly around the line of off-stump for one that he appeared not to see, but missed and the ball flicked off the off bail. An angry interchange occurred as The Kid trudged off, though before he reached the edge of the square looked over his shoulder and congratulated Ben on his bowling.
Pigott had his tail up and gave incoming Fred Rawlings a barrage of short pitched bowling. In truth Rawlings invites this by advancing down the pitch to all sorts of bowlers, including tall fast ones like Pigott. On this occasion Rawlings finished up on top, taking one MAXimum despite a painful blow on the shoulder. All the same the Marrows were back down to 20 with 3 overs to go.
Pigott had his tail up and gave incoming Fred Rawlings a barrage of short pitched bowling. In truth Rawlings invites this by advancing down the pitch to all sorts of bowlers, including tall fast ones like Pigott. On this occasion Rawlings finished up on top, taking one MAXimum despite a painful blow on the shoulder. All the same the Marrows were back down to 20 with 3 overs to go.
Marrows batting – Over 8
Josh Collins - The Face opens the face
Like Gregory, Grundy had played his Aces and now turned to youngest of The Rest, James Perkins. Rawlings fancied his chances to find the necessary MAXima to put The Marrows back on top, but Perkins was not having any of it. He bowled Rawlings first ball.
Charlie Tyler started positively, but The Face who had been batting quietly, hit a huge MAXimum that even Hard Hitting Haydn would have been proud. James Perkins analysis of 1 for 19 was one of which to be proud and no doubt he would talk his father through it on their way home later.
Charlie Tyler started positively, but The Face who had been batting quietly, hit a huge MAXimum that even Hard Hitting Haydn would have been proud. James Perkins analysis of 1 for 19 was one of which to be proud and no doubt he would talk his father through it on their way home later.
Marrows batting – Over 9
Charlie Tyler hit that one for 100
The Marrows needed 150 from the last two overs and as they had not substituted their batters Jack Grundy and Sean Morris, the option of which bowlers was left to The Marrows batters – The Face and Charlie Tyler. It was important to choose slow bowlers as the light was seriously dim. Opening bowlers Alex Fisher and Michael Perkins fitted the bill, though it was noticeable the Fisher who bowled the 9th was significantly quicker than when he bowled the second. Too quick in fact for The Face whose long innings came to a close after scoring 25 caught by Pigott near the boundary.
The cause looked hopeless for The Marrows until Charlie Tyler struck consecutive MAXima. Suddenly the game was in the balance with The Marrows on 119, looking for 50 from the final over of 10 balls.
The cause looked hopeless for The Marrows until Charlie Tyler struck consecutive MAXima. Suddenly the game was in the balance with The Marrows on 119, looking for 50 from the final over of 10 balls.
Marrows batting – Over 10
Perky takes CliMAX in his stride - Man of the Match
Charlie Tyler had showed his potential in the proceeding over and was together with the Matt Spencer who is the only player to score a kiloMAX sequence starting on the last ball of an innings. Thus The Marrows had an ideal partnership to take on this last over challenge of 50 to win. Michael Perkins was selected by them to bowl the last over. It was perhaps short sighted to select the bowler merely as he was unlikely to be able to bowl so fast that it would endanger them in the poor light. Perky is excellent slow left arm bowler with hundreds of wickets to his name (all recorded and remembered) and already one CliMAX victim too.
Now Perky is a fast learner too and this over he spaced out his wides so that he did not endure the extra penalties that occurred in his first over. Spenny was not able to capitalise on the free-hits and when Tyler heaved at the fifth ball a touch of desperation was apparent. The ball thudded into middle stump and this wicket saved The Rest a significant 122 runs. Arguably this will be Perky’s most valuable wicket ever, for in the 5 balls to come neither Spenny nor new partner Ducky Clarkson could penetrate the field. Staggeringly Perky’s last over had conceded only 9 runs for one wicket.
Mark Weston had provided thrilling entertainment with 1288 runs, but in getting out had handed the advantage back to The Rest of the World, Sean Morris accumulation of 103 runs not out had provided the winning partnership for The Rest with Jack Grundy, Craig Robins had taken 2 wicket for 19 for The Marrows, Will Noble even better 2 for 8 saving his team 1122 runs when he dismissed Weston, but my Man of the Match would be Michael Perkins (2 for 128 from 2 overs) for taking the vital wicket that knocked back the last challenge staged by Charlie Tyler and Matt Spencer when they were only two blows from victory.
It is planned to stage the second leg at Ebrington next Friday, when The Rest of the World will take with them a 168 run advantage. Don’t miss it.
Now Perky is a fast learner too and this over he spaced out his wides so that he did not endure the extra penalties that occurred in his first over. Spenny was not able to capitalise on the free-hits and when Tyler heaved at the fifth ball a touch of desperation was apparent. The ball thudded into middle stump and this wicket saved The Rest a significant 122 runs. Arguably this will be Perky’s most valuable wicket ever, for in the 5 balls to come neither Spenny nor new partner Ducky Clarkson could penetrate the field. Staggeringly Perky’s last over had conceded only 9 runs for one wicket.
Mark Weston had provided thrilling entertainment with 1288 runs, but in getting out had handed the advantage back to The Rest of the World, Sean Morris accumulation of 103 runs not out had provided the winning partnership for The Rest with Jack Grundy, Craig Robins had taken 2 wicket for 19 for The Marrows, Will Noble even better 2 for 8 saving his team 1122 runs when he dismissed Weston, but my Man of the Match would be Michael Perkins (2 for 128 from 2 overs) for taking the vital wicket that knocked back the last challenge staged by Charlie Tyler and Matt Spencer when they were only two blows from victory.
It is planned to stage the second leg at Ebrington next Friday, when The Rest of the World will take with them a 168 run advantage. Don’t miss it.
Marrows versus Rest of the World Gallery of photographs by Charlotte Gregory - click here