Marsh continued their very positive 2014 campaign with a couple of excellent OCA league victories, with a midweek cup final and a big Wednesday night win mixed in to cap off the midweek season in a hectic few weeks for the boys.
Despite a battling defeat to Great Horwood in the BMWL League Shield final on the Friday, with plenty of good performances, but a little light on batting, the Originals defeated Westcott in the league by 97 runs thanks to a 150 run stand between Matt and Stu. Matty, blasting the ball to all parts in his best ever knock for the club took Gibbon to 228-6 off their allocation, which was backed up by an excellent bowling and fielding performance, epitomised by Michael ‘Pidge’ Timms who with one stump to aim at ran out the opener from a difficult angle. Some excellent spells saw Gibbon bowl out the hosts for 131, despite having to call one batsmen back after he middled the ball to the fine leg boundary and was surprisingly given out LBW……the most notable fines for the evening being for one player (who shall remain nameless) who decided to wreck the furniture!! Less said the better……. a really pleasing victory.
Sandwiched in was a midweeker against Fringford in the climax to what has been an excellent season in the BMWL, under the guidance of new skipper Timmo. A Will ‘Hammo’ Hammond ton in 7 overs was the highlight as Gibbon breezed to victory, backed up by an excellent bowling spell by young Luke Fox, who surely scooped the midweek bowling award in his first full season. Well done Foxy! Victory saw the midweek crew finish in 2nd place in an enjoyable and banter-filled campaign. Good stuff chaps.
With players away, a youthful Gibbon then enjoyed another victory against Ben ‘Banger’ Proctor’s Wolvercote side who travelled to Gibbon in the league on Saturday last. With rain on the morning of the game and delaying the start, ex-Original Proctor, who looked a little worse for wear (nothing changes Bang!) had no hesitation in inserting Marsh in the reduced 25 over match. With many of the top order missing, Carlos was promoted to open the batting with Joe and they got off to a steady start, before Needham fell……….that hamstring is definitely in need of some TLC Mrs N ;-). Joe (22) Steve (14) supported Stu, but it was a stand between ‘new-bloke’ Cross, who managed to take some time off from pruning his bushes and Stu (63) and then Crouchy who took Gibbon to a very respectable 137-4 from their 25.
A splendid tea as ever from Sally was enjoyed, with the homemade cakes a particular delight…..Mrs C never failing to disappoint on that front! Despite the decent total, the home side knew a tight display was going to be needed, but and Stevie took an early wicket to get the ball rolling. With some wayward bowling and decent hitting from the opener, Wolvercote were well in the game with 10 overs to go, but with Marsh taking wickets consistently it was going to be a tight finish. Joe managed to take some time off from money laundering (well that’s the rumour…..) to produce an excellent display of 4-24, notably with Proctor caught in the deep by Crouchy, to leave the match poised with the visitors needing 11 from the last over to be bowled by Needham………..despite his poorly leg. The old-timer ‘thatch’ bowled 2 excellent balls to remove the remaining two batsmen to make it two in two for the Originals, leaving them exactly mid-table in Division 3. Special mention must go to all the young guns, Rooney, Luke and Spud who fielded excellently on the day to keep the runs down. As always a few beers were had and a splendid evening of celebration by all.
In other news, Joe and Charlotte have moved to a new abode in MG, which is already being lined up for the teams next Saturday night party…..good luck Charlotte! We are looking forward to a new addition to the Gibbon tribe with Crouchy and Amy expecting…..congratulations guys. And Stevie T has been given a police caution and formal warning by the MGCC committee for being seen loitering around the laybys of Marsh Gibbon!!
With important league games and the Telegraph Cup final to come, it’s going to be an exciting end to the season for the Originals and despite talk being rife of bribery and corruption in the MGCC Fantasy League, the competition is hotting up……..resident geek Von Needham is still open to the odd back-hander however, so get in early!
Look forward to Saturday when we welcome Cairns Fudge to the Gibbon in the league.
Stu