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Wilsons CC 2005 Tour – Oxfordshire

1-3 August 2005

Wilson’s CC 2005 Tour – Oxfordshire

A spate of injuries shortly before the start of the tour led to nervousness regarding the actual staging of the tour, however thanks to the Odell family the tour was able to go ahead smoothly. People came from the length of breadth of the country to take part and yet everyone arrived on time at the ground in Aylesbury - a feat that should be noted be certain members of the club.

A quick [perhaps better described as full] lunch was taken and the obligatory first pints were sunk and then we made our way back to the ground for the warm-ups, with many of us dreading this as we were hoping Stefan’s return wouldn’t lead to a return to his intensive warm-ups. Thankfully it didn’t. The experienced heads of Bush and Natrass opened the batting and were showing just the experience when Sean sold Dave down the river with a quick single and unfortunately Dave just kept “running”. Our overseas player (Mike Gandy) then came to the crease. For those with short memories Mike is Stefan’s ex house mate whose team and contacts meant last year’s tour was so successful. Mike and Sean added many a run with Sean in particular forgetting the bad form that had preceded this tour. Further contributions from all left Wilson’s on a healthy 210 off their 40 overs.

As we took to the field we were confident of defending the total. Especially after the second ball of Tim’s over when he produced an absolute jaffa that uprooted middle stump. We all cheered. [Note that this guy may want to play for us next year as he is a student at Nottingham Trent.] We were now so confident that when a ball trickled through the outfield towards Phil rather than stop it properly he went at it with his foot and stood on the ball went over on his ankle and lay whimpering in a heap. Although this was effectively the end of his tour his spirits were kept high with alcohol.

Steve Maxey made a welcome entry onto the tour [changing out of his suit] and replaced Phil and a steady stream of wickets meant that the tour was off to a winning start. [I thought my 2-8 off 3 overs was worth a mention! Ed.]

The accommodation was a step up from last year and we headed into Oxford for a night on the tiles. However this proved rather difficult as it really is a studious place at the best of times and during the off season for students it is even quieter. This did not dampen us and we found an excellent pub to dish out the fines and eventually we did find a club, and despite not having any brothers on tour we made the best of it and by the end of the night we were “down wid it”.

With the second match of the tour not until the evening, most of the players headed off for a round of pitch and putt – duly won by one Richard “I’m a golfer” Odell. At 5 o’clock the squad headed out to the Cotswolds for a game against the joint villages of Great Tew and Little Tew. Frantic phone calls from Stefan were made before the opposition decided to turn up for what was a first for Wilsons with the new format of 20/20 making its debut. Batting first a few early tumbles soon brought Caldwell to the wicket and if ever a form of cricket was made for his unrefined slogging this was it. Sure enough 50 was reached off 21 balls and we set what we thought was a competitive score of 140. One point of note was an excellent one handed diving catch in the field that really was Collingwood-esque, can’t remember who it got out though.

As we started to bowl wickets fell and the run rate was contained. Unfortunately this did not last. Soon the runs were flowing quicker than the beer the previous night. The only exception to this was Mark whose beguiling arm produced excellent figures of 2 -14 despite this being a game where spinners are targeted. Sure enough the total wasn’t enough and we lost.

We therefore retired for a curry which was very nice. Fines again were dished with the newly arrived Odell G in particular coming in for some grief. He was given a London weighting for all his and as I write this I realise that Stefan got away with this. As the older ones retired to their beds (and Herd who was either too injured or a “wuss” depending who you listen to) a decent club was found and the rest danced the night away.

A lovely breakfast in Oxford set the majority of the team up for the next day and we soon began to travel to Sandfield Saint Martin – a beautiful village not far from the previous evening’s ground. One notable absentee from the final day was Nigel who deserted us mid tour simply because he had a better offer, true hospitality on a yacht during Cowes week probably is a better offer but there are principles.

As the match got under way a determined Richard Odell got about making up for several disappointments with the bat and soon made his fifty. A solid stand between Richard and Sean set up another quick fire 40 for TC. Richard ended up 66 not out. An official thanks to Alan at this point for offering to field for an injured Herd but giving up his batting place an offer that was too good to pass up. I really can’t remember much else and my apologies but if anyone who sat in the scorer’s box knows I had to try really hard to block out their scorer. Thanks to Geoff, Steve and Tom for their earlier efforts. I do know we won and after the usual hospitalities (and final fines) we all left to go home.

Richard was award the "twat of the tour" medal by last year's winner Sean. Tom had been wearing it for most of the tour but a single incident stood out that meant Richard was the "winner". During the final game, Richard batting in trainers, slipped at the end of a run a slid knee high in to the 80 year old umpire causing both batsman and umpire to crash to the floor. Both soldiered on but at tea, it was mentioned that the umpire had been a 2nd World War hero, who had flown Lancasters from Langar airfield. However, it took a Wilsons' cricketer to bring him down.

Again an excellent tour with some lovely locations for cricket.

Same time next year then boys?

Phil Herd and a few comments from Alan Odell.

Tour members: Stefan, Sean, TC, Tom Wilson, Mike Gandy (Newcastle), Richard Odell, Geoff Pook, Dave Nattrass (for game 1), Nigel Smith (for half of game 1 and game 2), Mark (for games 2 and 3), Phil Herd (game 1 and half of game 3 & scorer!), Steve Maxey (1/4 game 1 plus games 2 and 3), Graham Odell (games 2 & 3) and Alan Odell (game 1 and half of game 3 & umpire.)