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Ashover C.C. v Cavaliers C.C.

Cavaliers C.C.

Ashover C.C.

On a humid, overcast day, Ashover played host to the Cavaliers, a touring team from India, who were playing their first game in England and on a very green pitch too.

It was a shock to the system when the visitors arrived, all immaculately attired in Blazers which contrasted sharply with the dress of the home side which owed nothing to fashion, but everything to bad taste!

Having won the toss, the Cavaliers asked Ashover to bat and struck first ball, Dave Cooke caught behind by Kabeer to give P. Kumar his first wicket as the home team struggled against a keen and extremely enthusiastic attack and it was no great surprise when Paul Alexander (3) departed, caught by R. Kumar, giving P. Kumar his second wicket. Things didn't improve when Billy Vermeulen (2) left the stage, bowled by P. Kumar with the score 24 for 3 and worsened even more with John Hunter (11) falling to an unusual dismissal, being caught at slip after the wicket keeper tipped a mistimed pull to him, the bowler being S. Kumar - 29 for 4.

Skipper Andy Walker (5) departed in the next over, edging to the keeper to give Ali Ameer his only wicket of the game. 31 for 5 and looking down the barrel, Ashover were rescued by Rob "slim" Andrews who batted resolutely despite seeing Mark Winson (3) bowled by Sohi and Charlie Gwillim (2) caught behind off Arya, leaving a sorry looking 62 for 7.

Fortunately, the next man in, Wayne Carline isn't one to throw in the towel and he and Rob put on 41 before Wayne was caught after scoring a valuable 19, Arya being the bowler doing the damage, bringing in James Hammond who saw it through to the end and finished on 1 not out, whilst Rob perished last ball of the innings, bowled by S. Kumar for a magnificent 40 to leave the total on 114 for 9.

Tea was then taken and many thanks must go to Brian and Val Sanderson who stepped into the breach at very short notice and did us proud, after which a series of presentations took place, the pictures of which can be seen below.

Ashover President Thelma Bolstridge receiving a Cavaliers shirt from Surya A Baindoor

Ashover Secretary Charlie Gwillim receiving a salver and Cavaliers shirt from Surya A Baindoor

Ashover Treasurer Brian Sanderson receiving a Cavaliers shirt from Captain S. Arya

Umpires Steve Spencer & Roy Bolstridge receiving Cavaliers ties from Surya A Baindoor

Ashover Club Captain Andy Walker receiving a Cavaliers shirt from Surya A Baindoor

Andy Walker presenting Surya A Baindoor with a commemorative bat and ball

Chasing a low total, the Cavaliers must have been confident but their lack of experience in English conditions would obviously hamper their efforts and they didn't get off to the start that they would have liked, Sandeep (2) caught behind by Wayne Carline off the bowling of Lee Rhodes with only 2 runs on the board.

Things didn't improve much for the visitors against an accurate Ashover attack with Sameer (1) bowled by Charlie Gwillim having added only 9 runs and Captain Arya failing to score, caught by John Hunter to give Charlie his second victim, 19 for 3 and it was a struggle for the Cavaliers, but there was some respite with the score advancing to 33 before Charlie rolled back the years, claiming two wickets in two balls, both LBW - Shyam Kumar for a stylish 23 and the luckless Kabeer facing just the one ball on his English debut.

At 33 for 5 the odds were now stacked in favour of Ashover, but the Cavaliers dug deep and put together their best stand of the game (45), aided by dropped catches, but a resolute effort none the less. However, the introduction of veteran Billy Vermeulen into the attack replacing Mark Winson, proved to be a shrewd move as his mixture of Chicken & Mushroom and Steak & Kidney bamboozled the visitors as he claimed 3 wickets, Ameer caught by Charlie Gwillim for 14 and Raman caught by Lee Rhodes for 2. The contrast at the other end was quite marked when James Hammond finished wicketless after 8 extremely good overs.

The final twist occurred when young Ian Cooke was introduced to replace James - he struck first ball, bowling Ameer for 4, but didn't get a second over as Billy wrapped up proceedings, claiming his 4th wicket, Pawan (9), courtesy of a James Hammond catch, to leave Sohi stranded on 1 not out and the final total 101 with 5.2 overs remaining.

A look at the scorecard reveals that extras and failure to use all of their overs cost the Cavaliers dearly, but they were always up against it in the conditions that prevailed and put in an impressive performance under the circumstances.

I would like to thank the Cavaliers and Mr Baindoor for the impressive way that they conducted themselves - they certainly made a huge impression upon everybody at Ashover and we would be delighted to welcome them back anytime.

Thanks must also go to Umpires Steve Spencer and Roy Bolstridge, Brian and Val Sanderson for providing teas and Thelly Bolstridge for scoring.

Finally a big thank you to all the players who turned out and made my life a little easier!

Scorecards

Ashover C.C.

Cavaliers C.C.