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Tuesday 01 January 2008

Match Report

The Buccaneers may have lost three fixtures to last summers unusually inclement weather, but otherwise 2007 was another good season for the club.

Our first match against Northwood C.C. saw us chasing a total of 245. Duncan Kendal, one of a number of debutants this year made a graceful 38 alongside fellow opener Louis Harris’ score of 44. This set the stage for Robin James, whose 52 helped us to 190 for 8 by the close and a well earned draw.

  
The Buccaneers vs Victoria College


The Buccaneers - Team shot

John Emburey Bowling for The Buccaneers


Next it was off to Jersey for our bi-annual tour. In the opening match against Victoria College the batsmen set the schoolboys a target of 198, before our Captain made a generous declaration. The boys seized the opportunity and all credit goes to them for the way in which they chased down the runs.

On the Sunday we faced Jersey Island C.C. but unfortunately the heavens opened and the match had to be abandoned well before the end of their innings. Our thanks as ever go to Geoff Chapman for providing the team with complimentary travel insurance.

In early June we took to the field against The Royal Household in the beautiful grounds of Windsor Castle. Brett Emblin and Mark Butler opened the bowling with both striking early on. Halfway through the host’s innings, Her Majesty The Queen briefly stopped to watch, which was as always, a great honour for us all. Louis Harris’ 5 for 33 helped us bowl out the home side for 142, before Tim Taylor led us to victory with an unbeaten 39.

The annual indoor tournament played at Lord’s was typically fast, furious, and good fun. The Buccaneers and Jack Frost tied for second place behind the MCC, with Catch 22 in fourth position.

In mid-July we took part in the Charlie Waller Memorial Tournament for the second time. Unfortunately we missed out on third place after suffering two narrow defeats

At the end of August we played the Honourable Artillery Company.  The HAC batted first, declaring on 181 for 9.  Louis Harris and Mathew Drew both starred with the ball, taking four wickets each.  In reply, Duncan Kendal’s unbeaten 49 helped us reach 172 for 9 before we ran out of overs.

Our last match of the season was against the Pilgrims C.C. at the beginning of September. After losing the toss we were asked to bat and made 167 from our 40 overs.  Former Leicestershire pace man David Millns made a delightful contribution of 49 and ex-Nottinghamshire batsmen Russell Evans helped the score along in the final overs. With a modest total to defend against the Pilgrims attacking batsmen a victory was far from certain. However, when you have John Emburey in your team the match can swing in your favour very quickly. The former Captain of England bowled beautifully taking 2 important wickets and conceding only 9 runs from his 6 overs. This tight spell helped us bowl our hosts out for 151 with 3 overs to spare. We are exceeding grateful to our former professionals and look forward to them and others playing for us in 2008.

The Buccaneers are keenly anticipating the coming season and are excited about potential new matches versus The Stragglers of Asia and Lord Vesty’s XI.

We are always happy to welcome new players, so if there are any members or members’ friends who would like to play for us next season please contact Brett Emblin via The Lord’s Taverners Head Office.

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