IBP Cricket Match 2009
PR’S Third Successive Victory Over Journalists
The last of this year’s summer coincided with the annual clash of the cricketing giants that’s PR’s and Journo’s. A few new faces on both sides this year and a new captain in Andy Cassie (recovering from a serious ski accident) for the PR’s.
Toss won and with a little local knowledge, Andy Cassie inserted the Journo’s, who proceeded respectably against a tight opening pair of James Dilleigh (same pronunciation different level of competence) and Rob Jenkins.
Hart was the first to go, stumped off Watkins, wicketkeeper Rave Dave’s first of no less than 5 stumpings and one catch in the innings, surely a record. Wickets then fell regularly; Menary without troubling the scorers, new boy Hamilton recruited from the depths of Watford for little more. However more resistance was given by — Taylor and latterly Roskrow, who was even offered the benefit of two innings. The PR bowling remained tight with very economical spells from Watkins, Murphy, the aforementioned Dilleigh and even the “Weeman” Jilesh Patel. John Howland of our kind sponsors Szerelmey claimed 2 wickets but did come in for a bit of tap.
At the end of the 30 overs – for this was a 30/30 game, Journo’s had posted a respectable – 127 all out, top scorers Gatty 30*, Roskrow (2 innings) 31, Taylor 24 and Hart 15 all batted well and the bowling was suitably tight with both Watkins and Murphy returning figures of 2-13 and Dilleigh 2-6, may be a few runs short.
Chasing a total of a little over four an over, the PR’s set about their task with some relish and despite various people having to “go onto other events” the victory total always looked achievable. Consistent batting from all the top order took the Journo’s to their total with 8 overs and 5 wickets to spare. The innings was held together by a “Man of the Match” Andy Geldard (31 retired) who lifted the ball to the boundary on several occasions, ably supported by the rest of the top order including Simon Storer and John Howland.
Once again David Helsen did a magnificent job on the catering and organisation front, thanks to Szerelmey for their continued support and it would be nice for a few more IBP members to be involved on either team and to enjoy the chance to play on one of London’s most beautiful grounds at Thames Ditton.
In the eleven years since its inception the Journo’s have a 6-5 lead over the PR’s in the series, so we will look to level it up same time next year. Thanks again for the continuing support of all parties and players and for my team for playing so well and preventing me from needing to either bat or bowl, skippers prerogative I guess.
JOURNO’S
127 ALL OUT 29.3 OVERS
GATTY 30*, ROSKROW, 31, TAYLOR 24, HART 16
DILLEIGH 2-6, WATKINS 2-13, MURPHY 2-13
PR’S
128-5 21.2 OVERS
GELDERD 31*, EXTRAS 27, DAVE 19, JENKINS 15
ROSKROW 2-8, TAYLOR 1-12
After all it’s only a game