“Braai Burgers Overshadowed by the Boerewors”

Match: 26 / 687

Lost by 3 wkts

Team	Total
FFTMCC	120 - 8
J. Harris 34*, R. Hadfield 22*
Wootton & Bladon CC	162 - 4
M. Rundle 2 - 16, G. Timms 1 - 12

Team	Total
FFTMCC	153 - 6
I. Howarth 33*, C. Williams 31*
Wootton & Bladon CC	113 - 7
M. Rundle 2 - 8, G. Timms 2 - 13

After contesting matches for over two decades, quarrelling, arguing and on the odd occasion threatening to bring the game into disrepute, Wootton and the FFTMCC have mellowed like a fine Aldi wine and chosen to like each other. So much so, that this year the pub team with no pub were asked to be the guests at a Memorial Match held in tribute of one Mr C Williams (Clive). The irony of The MAD’s own C Williams (Chris) returning from injury to stake a claim in the event wasn’t lost on anyone.

Here is a brief tribute to Clive….

“Clive Williams was, in the words of Dom DeBono an old school Roister Doister. By which I think he means that Clive loved a joke and wasn’t afraid to take it too far on occasion! Clive also loved a drink, a cigar (particularly if “borrowed” from someone else) and of course he loved his cricket. He was one of the original members of what would go into become W&B CC when it came into being in the mid-90s based out of Woodstock. He was often seen up at the top of the order accumulating runs in a style that definitely wasn’t flamboyant but nevertheless effective. A dependable bowler he wasn’t afraid to bowl at the top order but definitely liked to keep a few overs back to have a go at the tail! Always amusing in the field, the particular highlight was watching him attempt a catch which was taken (or not) neither in the traditional or Australian way, but rather in the style of a crocodile, with his hands grabbing at the ball from above and below at the same time! There was rarely a dull moment when Clive was around and he was great fun to play cricket with and great fun to go for a beer afterwards with, which is probably why we all still miss him to this day.”

– A. Hambridge

*

Leading up the occasion, talks were held in secret in an underground bunker on the exact format of the day, and it was more or less decided thus:

· Test match format including 4 innings of 20 overs max (so, essentially 2 x T20s with combined totals)

· Both teams to reverse their batting orders for their second innings

· Batters to retire at 30* end of the over

· Maximum 3 overs per bowler per innings

· Potential declaration of innings 3, if sum total of innings 1 and 3 is starting to dwarf that of innings 2 (opponent)

The Wootton ensemble.

After a successful coin toss, Skipper Turner decided to have Wootton chase for victory in the final innings of the match and therefore had to train his mind on organising his batting line-up for first sortie. The ramifications of this would obviously decide the resulting line-up for the secondary sortie (innings #3 of the day). These permutations would therefore equate to a magnificent, summed total well out of the reach of these Bladon* boys and secure the FFTMCC a famous victory and bragging rights for years to come. Piece of cake.

MAD innings #1 would initially be underscored by a nicely composed knock from Mr Harris (34 ret), a player certainly no alien to success at this windswept, sun-baked ground. Having completed his three-hour commute to the venue, Mr Reeves (18) wandered out to the middle, hit a few balls and then decided to hit his own stumps. He would then complete this act by bending down to replace the bails, tuck his bat calmly under his arm soon thereafter and leave the field head held high with the poise of an acting politician. A nice late cameo from Hadfield (22*) would help the visitors post 120-8, with most of everyone else’s contributions failing to merit any further column inches. Pick of the home team’s bowling was non-bowler DeBono, who took 3-25 whilst laughing his tits off, including the wicket of Howarth who fashioned a very responsible golden duck (caught on the deep square boundary as is his want).

Edwards (or Charvis) opens the bowling for Wootton.

Mr Harris (34*) hates batting at Cassington as everyone knows.

In reply, Wootton took about 0.0 balls to achieve 7-0, with deep mid-wicket fishing a Reeves full bunger out of adjoining field after firstly pissing their whites whilst laughing their head off. Despite Mike’s profligacy, his wasn’t the dish of the day, but rather the delicacy served up by Harris who conceded a paltry 13.67 per over. What this pairing did achieve however, was initiate the subsequent retirement of the home team’s best bats (A Horne 35* off 12 balls, T Valentine and A Hambridge both 33*) so that Timms, Howarth and Rundle (2-16) could all puff their chests out whilst achieving econ against the cotton tails. Wootton would post 162-4 and time for the tea interval to eat, drink and take stock of what was what.

Rare footage of Hotson spanking one Australian-style on the hard Cassington deck.

Old Joe is given rare access to another crippling Lucan injury.

Penny (Hambridge) has dutifully been doing teas for as long I can remember, which in my case, is rather a long time. Always generous with a superb recipe for a quiche, it has been a genuine pleasure to sit down at a tea interval when Wootton have hosted. We sincerely thank her for the not insubstantial efforts she has invested over the years. We are much obliged.

The MAD would begin their second innings adventure 42 runs in arrears, which would take 6 overs to overhaul for the loss of both Webster and Timms. That gave the visitors a further 14 overs to attempt to try and set Wootton as testing a target as possible. Alas, Hadfield (21) and Turner would be subsequently scuttled by Mr Poole, with the latter departing to an excellent catch behind from the evergreen Mr Doggett. This wisened, most likeable glovesman stumping the pro-active Mr Shorten (16) a few overs later. 53-4.

Mr Poole (bowling) doing what he’s been doing since before cricket was invented.

Thankfully, perhaps mercifully, Howarth this time used his brain when going out to bat and helped by a Poole full toss first up (a cunning plan), found partner Williams in that candy-for-the-eye form as they combined to lift MAD spirits. Both would later retire to allow builder Shorten (16) time to swing his 4 by 2, and with a brief Rundle flourish at the death, The MAD had somehow totalled 153-6.

As the team’s left the field once more and Lucan complained vocally about his horrific rib injury, the mathematicians set to work on what was what and what the home side would need to achieve for victory. 112 as it turned out, but this time with the caveat of a reversed batting order, so time for some MAD tactical thinking on the subject at hand. Would you try and keep the lower order in, but to what expense? Issue being, you can never stop taking wickets if they (lower order) simply throw them away to bring the big guns in?

Bizarre image of Chris Williams ramping himself.

Mr Reeves back to hitting balls again.

“GET O-O-O-N WITH IT !!!”

Ahem…. The Wootton reply was entirely as to be expected. Clumsy, occasionally stirring but predictably fragile, with any of The MAD bowlers given a few overs at this ensemble helping themselves to econ and a few wickets (Rundle and Timms with 2-fers). The home team taking stock at 69-6 off 15 overs, so 53 required off 5 overs at 10.6 per over. So, game very much on?

Captain Russ explains the finer points of how not to fuck it all up….

Well, it would definitely have been more in the balance if The MAD had potentially stuck to their half-plans of not taking too many wickets, because… well, we were now seeing the Wootton master blasters return to the crease and first and foremost, Mr T Valentine. Never judge a book by it’s cover, ‘Pastie’ might not look like your lithe and consummate cricketer but put a piece of willow in his hand and he’ll happily demonstrate to the contrary.

Biff! Bang! Whallop!

…Shorten copped Buffet (could have been anyone unlucky enough to be bowling at the death) and Pastie (21* off 11 balls) steered Wootton home with 3 balls to spare.

Old Skool (Pastie on right).

It was a fitting finale to an extremely enjoyable romp, and more so, a fitting tribute to the absent friend whose name was the signature of the day. We will happily do this all again, and – like we really must at some point – perhaps make it a two-parter by hosting a similar event at Brasenose in tribute to the Manders (Ben and Tony).

The day would be finally rounded off as the sun dipped behind the trees, with Saffer D. Gordon conducting a braai (barbeque) complemented by Penny’s delectable salad and pasta sides. The meat and especially the boerewors (sausages) were simply top drawer… very much like the day itself. People would then furtherly tuck into tinnies, take the piss, vote on nonsensical and irrelevant things and then… eventually… drift home.

See you next year, lads.

* - A derogatory term still used to describe the opposition despite them being evicted from said ground over 15 years ago for matters that cannot be raised on this website or any other for that matter.

’Spam’

*

Statto Scorecards

Far From the MCC versus Wootton & Bladon CC Played at Cassington, 26 July 2026 Far From the MCC won the toss and elected to bat Wootton & Bladon CC won by 3 wkts Far from the MCC debuts: n/a

26 / 687 2 x 20 over match

Team	Far From the MCC (Inns # 1)
#	Batsman	How Out	Total	Balls	4s	6s	FOW
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
	TOTAL	(for 8 wickets, 20 overs)	120

#	Bowler	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wkts	Econ
1
2
3
4
5

Team	Wootton & Bladon CC (Inns # 1)
#	Batsman	How Out	Total	Balls	4s	6s	FOW
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
	TOTAL	(for 4 wickets, 20 overs)	162

#	Bowler	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wkts		Econ
1
2
3
4
5
6
Team	Far From the MCC (Inns # 2)
#	Batsman	How Out				Total		Balls	4s	6s	FOW
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
	TOTAL	(for 6 wickets, 20 overs)				153

#	Bowler	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wkts	Econ
1
2
3
4
5

Team	Wootton & Bladon CC (Inns # 2)
#	Batsman	How Out	Total	Balls	4s	6s	FOW
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
	TOTAL	(for 7 wickets, 19.3 overs)	113

#	Bowler	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wkts	Econ
1
2
3
4
5
6

MOTM: M. K. Reeves’ teas Champagne Moment: I. Howarth’s stumbling catch at deep square leg Buffet Award: J. D. Hoskins’ chicken and ham pizzas with no chicken or ham MAD Moment: M. S. Rundle’s bat throwing tantrum on return to pavilion after his limp dismissal….

Opposition: V0 / 0 Ground: G0 / 0 Captain: C0 / 0 Match No: 20 / 251