Saturday 25 June 2011

Match Report

Debut ton for Maxwell sets up Royal victory for Buccaneers

The Buccaneers recorded an excellent victory in their annual fixture against the Royal Household Cricket Club at their beautiful ground inside the Windsor Castle estate. The Bucs arrived to see the covers still on from the overnight rain and heavy cloud cover. Skipper Simon Cleobury lost the toss and the Buccaneers were invited to bat first. Making use of the conditions the Household struck early taking the wickets of Cleobury and ten Hove. Debutant Tom Maxwell was having no such trouble with the conditions and was timing the ball beautifully from the start. He put on a good partnership with another debutant Max McAllister, before Max was undone by the ball of the day. Matthew Drew joined Maxwell at a tricky 58 for 3. With some positive batting and the arrival of the sun, Maxwell and Drew built a very impressive partnership and notched up a century stand before Drew fell going for quick runs. At the other Maxwell was moving nearer to three figures with attacking play on both sides of the wicket. The score was moved on well by Ben Hodges who made a quick fire 20. There was no hanging around in the 90s for Maxwell and as he reached a very well deserved ton. Hodges and Price got the Bucs to 200, at which point skipper Cleobury declared.

After an excellent tea, the Bucs took the field knowing a good bowling and fielding performance was needed. Max McAllister and Nick Price opened up and found it hard initially to make a break through. Then all of a sudden two came at once, which put Price on a hat trick. The Household then consolidated and batted steadily up until the drinks break. Colin Bowley and the Chief (Himinashu Patel) were introduced to the attack but that third wicket would not come. However, the drinks break changed everything and whatever was in the Chief's drink had the right effect as he took two wickets in the next over (one to a very good catch by ten Hove). Brett Emblin came into the attack and picked up a wicket. The Chief then picked up another at his end and the Bucs were right amongst the Household. The Bucs were made to fight for the final few wickets. Maxwell replaced the Chief but could not repeat his early heroics with the bat. Matt Drew replaced Emblin and after several tight overs finally made the break through. The skipper then brought McAllister back for a final blast and it paid off as he struck leaving the Bucs one over to get the final wicket. Drew was the man with the ball in his hand and he didn’t let us down spearing in an accurate yorker to bowl the Household out for 102 and win the match.

Congratulations in particular to Tom Maxwell, Matt Drew and the Chief who all had great games. A huge thank you as always to the Royal Household for being such wonderful hosts and for inviting us to play in such a great setting. Thank you also to our umpires, Ian Sutherland and Jonathan Manners.

Simon Cleobury

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