SACC Chairman's Report
Lifetime Averages...
Call me a sad old git, but one wet day I sat down and went through every SACC match since 2002 and did the Lifetime Averages of the current team. With apologies to those who no longer play, but I really could not face adding you in too, or I would still be doing it now! So here they are and I will endeavour to update them at the end of each season. Please note however that whilst Averages are of interest and can be a useful way of measuring improvement, it is more important for the Team to play together in the right way and hopefully to win more than half our matches.
SACC - Lifetime Averages Batting
| Players | Runs | Outs | Average | 100s | 50s |
| Peter Higgins | 1432 | 40 | 35.80 | 12 | |
| Jon Scotchbrook | 1318 | 37 | 35.62 | 2 | 9 |
| Mark Mills | 389 | 11 | 35.36 | 1 | 4 |
| Greg Renk | 450 | 14 | 32.14 | 3 | |
| Rob Hull | 189 | 6 | 31.50 | ||
| Stan Owen | 278 | 10 | 27.80 | 1 | |
| Chris Read | 19 | 1 | 19.00 | ||
| Martin McGrath | 202 | 11 | 18.36 | ||
| Kevin Osborne | 201 | 14 | 14.36 | ||
| Graham Bullen | 225 | 16 | 14.06 | ||
| Jock Shepherd | 25 | 2 | 12.50 | ||
| Chris Nevile | 106 | 9 | 11.78 | ||
| Nick Entwistle | 30 | 3 | 10.00 | ||
| Phil Chesser | 115 | 12 | 9.58 | ||
| Jonty Renk | 18 | 2 | 9.00 | ||
| Kit Nevile | 8 | 1 | 8.00 | ||
| Harvey Townson | 70 | 9 | 7.78 | ||
| Sam Hatzigeorgiou | 20 | 4 | 5.00 | ||
| Alex Ramos | 5 | 1 | 5.00 | ||
| Ryan O'Sullivan | 52 | 11 | 4.73 | ||
| David Stewart | 9 | 2 | 4.50 | ||
| Alex Hatzigeorgiou | 12 | 3 | 4.00 | ||
| Charlie Scotchbrook | 2 | 1 | 2.00 | ||
| Paul Longman | 6 | 3 | 2.00 | ||
| Arthur Higgins | 1 | 1 | 1.00 |
SACC - Lifetime Averages Bowling
| Players | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Average | R/O |
| Charlie Scotchbrook | 4 | 20 | 3 | 6.67 | 5.0 |
| Harvey Townson | 11 | 59 | 5 | 11.80 | 5.4 |
| Mark Mills | 35 | 126 | 8 | 15.75 | 3.6 |
| Peter Higgins | 278.1 | 1055 | 63 | 16.75 | 3.8 |
| Graham Bullen | 21.3 | 136 | 8 | 17.00 | 6.4 |
| Rob Hull | 32 | 136 | 7 | 19.43 | 4.3 |
| Greg Renk | 88.1 | 419 | 21 | 19.95 | 4.8 |
| Chris Nevile | 64.5 | 329 | 12 | 27.42 | 5.1 |
| Kit Nevile | 12 | 61 | 2 | 30.50 | 5.1 |
| Martin McGrath | 13 | 93 | 3 | 31.00 | 7.2 |
| Ryan O'Sullivan | 58.3 | 310 | 9 | 34.44 | 5.3 |
| Stan Owen | 29 | 185 | 5 | 37.00 | 6.4 |
| Phil Chesser | 14 | 118 | 3 | 39.33 | 8.4 |
| Nick Entwistle | 4 | 40 | 1 | 40.00 | 10.0 |
| Jon Scotchbrook | 13.3 | 102 | 2 | 51.00 | 7.7 |
| Kevin Osborne | 108.4 | 552 | 10 | 55.20 | 5.1 |
| Paul Longman | 13 | 56 | 1 | 56.00 | 4.3 |
| Alex Hatzigeorgiou | 11 | 69 | 1 | 69.00 | 6.3 |
| Alex Ramos | 18 | 73 | 1 | 73.00 | 4.1 |
| Tom Chesser | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2.0 |
| Arthur Higgins | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5.0 |
| Jonty Renk | 1 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6.0 |
| Chris Read | 4 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 5.3 |
| Sam Hatzigeorgiou | 7 | 77 0 | 0 | 11.0 |
2012 Fixtures...
We have played no games as yet, but here are our forthcoming matches, which I shall report on next month.
Sun 22nd April Oxford Downs Home 1.30pm
Sun 29th April Brill Away 2pm
Sat 19th May Peter Higgins' XI Home 11.30am
Sun 27th May Chipping Norton Away 2pm
We look forward to seeing you all for some tea and cake up at our Barton Abbey Ground.
Yours Statistically
Peter Higgins
Chairman SACC
2012 Season...
Welcome to the 2012 cricket season. We have increased our number of fixtures to 13, but more importantly, just as Sir Alex with Paul Scholes, we have managed to persuade both Chris Nevile and Phil Chesser not to retire. Readers will recall that magical line:
Graham Hick caught P. Chesser bowled C. Nevile 7
As both Chris and Phil said "How can my cricket career get any better?" and "Always best to go out on a high", but we are playing the Lord's Taverners again in 2014, so they may get him for less next time! Or he may, as the third highest run scorer of all time, score a hundred off 10 overs. Who can say? For that is the joy of village cricket!
Practice makes perfect, or at least "a little less bad"...
Our first practice net of the season will start at 6.00pm on Thursday 5th April at Robinsons Close and thereafter every Thursday for the rest of the season. All are welcome to attend regardless of cricketing ability. We have even had the track repaired and that bit that Kevin Osborne hits, that makes the ball whistle round your head, has been rolled flat. Honest!
2012 Fixtures...
April
Sun 22nd National Village Round 1 Home
Sun 29th Brill Away 2.00pm
May
Sat 19th Peter Higgins XI Home 11.30am
Sun 27th Chipping Norton Away 2.00pm
June
Sun 3rd Middleton Stony Away
Sun 10th Sibford Away
Sun 24th Barton Abbey Home
July
Sun 8th BBC Home 12 noon
Sun 15th Deddington Away 2.00pm
Thurs 19th Sandford (20/20) Away 6.00pm
Sun 22nd Sibford Home
Sun 29th Great Tew Away
August
Sun 5th Cholsey Away
All games start at 2.30pm unless otherwise stated and tea is usually served about two hours after the start time. So please do come for tea and support us at our beautiful Barton Abbey Ground; we will need all your support in the first match against Oxford Downs in the National Village knockout - apparently they are quite good. Maybe Lords in 2013 then?
Have a great summer
Peter Higgins
Chairman SACC
2011 Season
I write on the eve of our Awards Dinner with some reflections on the 2011 Season, of which the highlights were:
1) The Lord's Taverners Match - we played against one England Captain and five former Test Players and lost by a mere 3 runs. Yes, Chris Tarrant's claret-fuelled over brought us back into the match, but you have still got to hit the bad ball to the boundary!
2) In doing so we raised £18,235 for the Taverners' charity, which helps disadvantaged and disabled children play sport. This was the most any village side has ever raised for the Lord's Taverners
3) Graham Hick - caught Phil Chesser, bowled Chris Nevile 7
4) Mike Gatting - caught Peter Higgins, bowled Greg Renk 36
5) Stan Owen hit 3 consecutive "fours" off England bowler Gladstone Small; Gladstone got angry, Stan lost his stumps
6) Kevin Osborne took the catch of the season to dismiss Miles Harrison (Sky's rugby commentator)
7) Rob Hull (aged 15) hit 33 against Shipton-u-Wychwood, who have won the National Village competition more times than any other village club
8) The sons of current players Greg Renk, Mark Mills, Chris Nevile, Jon Scotchbrook, Phil Chesser and Peter Higgins all played for the SACC this season - only another few years for the "Oldies" and we can pass the club on to the next generation
9) Jon Scotchbrook hit 107* against the Chairman's XI
10) 3.7 - Greg Renk's batting average before the last match, lower than his son Jonty at 10.0; sadly he spoilt the stats with a brilliant 55* in the last game
11) Gus Mills (aged 13) trapped the Chairman Leg Before Wicket in the Chairman's match - Oh for Hawkeye!
12) Charlie Scotchbrook took 3-13 in his first two games for the SACC
13) Tom Chesser bowled more economically than his father
14) Arthur Higgins scored his first run for the village before being cruelly run out....by his father!
15) Harvey Townson made his highest score ever, against Great Tew
16) Paul Longman and Alex Ramos took their first wickets for the village
17) Nick Entwistle's match-turning first wicket against Sibford
18) Chris Read also made his highest score ever, to win the match against Sibford
Results & Stats
This year we won 6 and lost 4, with two of those losses being extremely close. This means that in the last 5 years we have played 46 won 30, tied 1 and lost 15, not a bad haul; better than the England rugby team anyway! There follows the team's averages for the year, for which each player must have batted or bowled at least 4 times:
Batting Averages
| Name | Innings | Out | HS | Runs | Average | 100 | 50 |
| Jon Scotchbrook | 8 | 6 | 107* | 325 | 54.2 | 1 | 2 |
| Peter Higgins | 7 | 5 | 56 | 193 | 38.6 | 0 | 3 |
| Rob Hull | 5 | 4 | 47* | 132 | 33.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Stan Owen | 7 | 7 | 42 | 157 | 22.4 | 0 | 0 |
| Kevin Osborne | 6 | 6 | 29 | 114 | 19.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Graham Bullen | 4 | 4 | 20 | 57 | 14.3 | 0 | 0 |
| Greg Renk | 7 | 6 | 55* | 77 | 12.8 | 0 | 1 |
| Chris Nevile | 4 | 4 | 16 | 47 | 11.8 | 0 | 0 |
| Harvey Townson | 4 | 4 | 20 | 35 | 8.9 | 0 | 0 |
| Ryan O'Sullivan | 4 | 4 | 15 | 25 | 6.3 | 0 | 0 |
| Alex Hatzigeorgiou | 4 | 3 | 6 | 12 | 4.0 | 0 | 0 |
Bowling Averages
| Name | Runs | Wkts | Average | Best Bowling | Runs/Over |
| Peter Higgins | 145 | 11 | 13.2 | 3-12 | 3.0 |
| Greg Renk | 173 | 10 | 17.3 | 3-19 | 4.4 |
| Rob Hull | 113 | 5 | 22.6 | 2-28 | 4.0 |
| Stan Owen | 93 | 3 | 31.0 | 2-17 | 5.5 |
| Chris Neville | 159 | 4 | 39.8 | 2-22 | 6.1 |
| Ryan O'Sullivan | 169 | 4 | 42.3 | 1-19 | 4.8 |
| Kevin Osborne | 190 | 4 | 47.5 | 1-17 | 4.8 |
| Alex Hatzigeorgiou | 69 | 1 | 69.0 | 1-25 | 6.3 |
Other notable performances for those who played less than four games were: Tom Maxwell 78 versus Shipton-u-Wychood; Mark Mills 50* against Chairman's XI; Kit Nevile 2-19 versus Brill; Phil Chesser 2-19 against Chairman's XI. Another enjoyable year's cricket for the SACC and thanks to all who played, but that is enough statistics.
Best wishes
Peter Higgins
Chairman SACC
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The last game of the season....
Sibford once again proved competitive and yet delightful opponents in our last game of the season on a blustery, drizzly September day. Jon Scotchbrook won the toss and elected to bowl on what proved to be a perfect Sunday village cricket match. Nine of the team bowled, except Jon, who is unable to bowl......for medical reasons! Rob Hull (1-20) and Paul Longman (1-18) bowled their 6 overs with great economy and removed both their openers, but at 67-2 Sibford were on the verge of a big score, when Nick Entwistle (1-14) came on to bowl his gentle off-spinners. His first wicket for the village (a catch by Phil Chesser, something only Graeme Hick has otherwise endured) was a timely way in which to celebrate his first baby due in February; congratulations from us all. With some tidy bowling from Chris Read, Harvey Townson, Tom Chesser and Charlie Scotchbrook and a fine all round fielding performance, Greg Renk (3-22) and Peter Higgins (2-20) were able to skittle out Sibford for a mere 123 runs. It's in the bag surely?
Unloseable....?
Phil Chesser, who was on a triple golden duck, strode out to bat with all the confidence of Andy Murray facing Nadal - we all knew disaster loomed, but not our Phil, as he hit 18 runs off the first over. Next ball of course he was out, but still 9 balls faced in a season and 18 runs is a strike rate of 200! Nick Entwistle (18) also helped give us a solid start, as we reached 68-2 - 56 needed from 16 overs. Then we did our impersonation of the England cricket team against the West Indies in the 80s and it all went horribly wrong; a hat-trick to Sibford and we were 83-7, needing 41 to win with Chris Read (top score "not a lot") joining Greg Renk, whose average this year is 3.33. Still to come we had our two 10 year olds Tom and Charlie! Sibford scented a famous victory, the crowd went quiet and then a miracle happened - Chris Read hit 15 not out including 2 fine fours and Greg Renk accelerated to 55 not out to give Steeple Aston victory by 3 wickets. "It was never in doubt" said Greg, as Chris looked on sheepishly. A fantastic effort by both of them and a great win to end the season.
Awards Dinner...
It has been yet another fine season with some great results for the team and for individuals, not forgetting our thrilling match with the Lord's Taverners. We will celebrate this at our
Annual Awards Dinner in the Village Hall, Steeple Aston at 7.00pm on Friday 25th November
If you would like to come, please contact Peter Higgins (347493) or Jon Scotchbrook (340805). Tickets are £20 each (£15 for under 18s), which includes a 3 course dinner with wine. Look out for all the results and averages in November's edition of Steeple Aston Life.
Best wishes to all
Peter Higgins
Chairman SACC
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13 runs, 3 wins...
It is not often that you win 3 matches by a cumulative total of 13 runs, but we beat Barton Abbey by 8 runs, Sibford by 3 runs (both reported last month) and Middleton Stoney by a glorious 2 runs. Who says fielding and wides are not important? Frankly we nearly lost the first two because of our erratic bowling and lazy fielding, but you could not accuse us of that against Middleton Stoney....well , okay so Greg Renk did bowl 7 wides, but they weren't that wide, honest!!
Middleton Stoney...
They really wanted to beat us this year and fielded a full strength side. Winning the toss they put us in to bat and our skipper, Jon Scotchbrook, played a true captain's innings with a sparkling 81 not out. To anaesthetise a bad back, he had been forced to drink four pints of shandy at lunch. Sadly the alcohol had worn off after his innings and he was unable to field. Luckily Jonty Renk was on hand and proved to be a much better fielder than Jon! However 131-7 off 20 overs looked a beatable score.
Disciplined bowling...
Fortunately our opening bowlers kept a tight line with Kevin Osborne (1-20) and Ryan O'Sullivan (1-20) not giving much away off their four overs. However we only had four recognised bowlers in the team, so the Chairman turned to Stan Owen to bowl his leg breaks. Stan is now officially a "recognised bowler", as he only gave away 28 runs in his four over spell. So Middleton Stoney needed a paltry 8 runs off the last over with 7 wickets remaining. The Chairman lumbered in to bowl - ball 1, a great stop by Greg Renk at mid on, dot ball; ball 2, a swiftly taken 2 to Long On; ball 3, a single to Long Off, speedily fielded by Jock Shepherd; ball 4, a dot ball taken well by keeper, Phil Chesser; ball 5, a dot ball fielded by the Chairman; so five needed off the last ball....a humble two to Jock again, who ran out their opener with his throw and victory by two runs. Nail-biting stuff and a great win against, on paper at least, a better side than us. We just had great team spirit. Later Kevin Osborne looked at the match report on their website - they could not believe they had lost!
Great Tew...
Frankly last year we got stuffed, so we needed a win to restore club pride. Great Tew opted to bat on a beautiful summer's day and 200+ looked the right score. Sadly for Tew the Steeple Aston bowlers were in fine form - Alex Ramos (1-27) moved the ball alarmingly both ways and Rob Hull (1-21) also bowled a tight line, before Greg "the destroyer" Renk (3-19) ripped apart their middle order, ably supported by Stan Owen (2-17). 159-9 looked eminently beatable.
Harvey's day...
Greg Renk, who was captain for the day, chose Harvey Townson to open with Stan Owen, an inspired choice as Harvey hit his highest score ever, a solid 20 runs. Stan was in typical ball-striking mood and hit a quick 35. Then Rob Hull (47 not out) put on 70 with Jon Scotchbrook (35) before Graham Bullen (12 not out) came in to finish them off - victory by 7 wickets with 11 overs to go. That is what I call a real stuffing!
Final matches...
We take August off to allow our bodies to recover, but have (hopefully) two more fixtures at Barton Abbey in September:
vs Sibford Saturday 10th September 1.30pm Barton Abbey
vs BBC Sat/Sun 17/18th September 1.30pm Barton Abbey TBC
Don't forget the club dinner in the Village Hall on FRIDAY 25TH NOVEMBER.
Happy holidays
Peter Higgins
Chairman SACC
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Sandford St Martin...
When Ryan O'Sullivan (1-36) dismissed their Zimbabwean International cricketer in the first over of the day, it all looked so good, but sadly that was our last wicket! Some tight bowling from Kevin Osborne (31 runs off 7 overs) and Peter Higgins (18 runs off 8 overs) did restrict them to 129 from 30 overs, but in their last 10 overs they added another 124 to end on 253-1. Where was Malinga when we needed him? Stan Owen (32) and Peter Higgins (54) put on 68 for the first wicket in 12 overs and with Jon Scotchbrook (50) in great form a victory looked possible. Kevin Osborne (29) and Rob Hull (24) kept up the momentum, with Rob hitting two huge straight sixes and an even bigger six from Chris Nevile (9) gave us an outside chance, but we fell short by 20 runs. Still 486 runs scored in the day and a great game of cricket.
Barton Abbey...
After last year's first defeat to Barton Abbey anything but a victory could not be countenanced. The SACC rose to the occasion with a fine team batting performance - Graham Bullen (20), Jon Scotchbrook (19), Kevin Osborne (27), Rob Hull (28) and a useful 15 runs at the end from Ryan O'Sullivan took us to 184 all out from our allotted 40 overs. Surely it was enough? Sadly our bowling lacked discipline and we bowled an alarming number of wides, which with a number of misfields allowed the Abbey a sniff of victory at 117-2. Thankfully Rob Hull (2-28) and Greg Renk (1-31) bowled tightly enough to bring us victory by 8 runs. It was good to see both Alex Hatzigeorgiou (1-25) and Graham Bullen (1-21) taking their first wickets of the season.
Sibford...
As Darren Clarke battled to win his first Major, the SACC battled against some strong wind and light rain, as we lost the toss and were put in to bat. With Stan Owen hitting a typically belligerent 42 and Peter Higgins a typically stodgy 52 we got off to a great start, but rather fizzled out thereafter. It was heartening to see David Stewart (9), our oldest cricketer at about 108, chipping in with some valuable runs at the end and once again young Jonty Renk (10) outscored his father! 165 all out did not seem quite enough. As Sibford reached 110-1 things looked bleak despite a fine opening spell from Kevin Osborne (1-25). Once again Greg Renk (1-24), spurred on by shouts of "Come on Dad" from Deep Extra, and Peter Higgins (3-12) produced tight spells to turn the match back our way. With some mean overs from Chris Read, who conceded only 3 runs and Jonty Renk 6 runs, Sibford needed 12 off the last over from Graham Bullen. Here was our Malinga....or was he? It was never in doubt as Graham allowed only 8 off his over and we won by 3 runs. Phew!
Matches to go...
So with 2 wins out of 3 in July so far we look forward to the rest of the season. Please do come along and support. Our remaining matches are as follows:
vs Middleton Stoney Thursday 21st July 6pm Middleton Stoney
vs Great Tew Sunday 24th July 2.30pm Great Tew
vs Cholsey Sunday 31st July 2.30pm Barton Abbey
vs Sibford Saturday 10th September 2.30pm Barton Abbey (TBC)
You never know, we might even get some sunshine!
Peter Higgins
Chairman SACC
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Did it really happen...?
The Lord’s Taverners were 68-2 and Graeme Hick, the third highest run scorer in the history of cricket, was batting with Mike Gatting, former England cricket captain, at the Steeple Aston cricket ground in front of almost a 1,000 people! Chris Neville bowled yet another rank long hop, this one down the leg side, Hick glances it and Phil Chesser dives like Tom Daley to take the catch. G. Hick caught Chesser bowled Neville 7 – surely this only happened in one of Chris or Phil’s dreams?
It wasn’t a dream...
Chris Tarrant then came out to bat to tumultuous applause, not least because he could still stand after consuming a bottle of Rioja over lunch. After a scratchy 6 runs he sauntered back to the pavilion for another drink and took up the microphone on the PA system, providing much laughter for all, proof if proof were needed of why he is such a fine broadcaster. Meanwhile Mike Gatting had motored onto 30 and was looking dangerous; he was even running some singles! Greg Renk bowled a slightly wider one and Gatting’s late cut went in the air to backward point...to the Chairman. Time really did stand still - a spinning ball, falling away from me, Mike Gatting England captain, Greg Renk’s finest hour, “the day I dismissed Mike Gatting”, whatever you do don’t drop the ball – all this flashed through my head in a split second and suddenly I was rolling around on the floor with the ball in my hand, a splendid diving catch. M. Gatting caught Higgins bowled Renk 30. Okay, so it was not so much a diving catch, more that I was off balance when I caught it and fell over! The ground erupted, Phil Reay (the official photographer) missed it, but it is indelibly printed on my memory. The Tav’s 107-5; we might even win?
Looking dangerous...
Neil Smith, son of MJK, another England cricketer, had then hit a beautiful straight drive for four and was looking in great form, when he ambled through for a quick single. He clearly thought Kevin Osborne would not bother to contest the run, but Kevin swooped low and fast like Lionel Messi and hit the stumps with the accuracy of a Jonty Rhodes. The threat over, the Tavs subsided to 190-9 off their allotted 30 overs. Jon Scotchbrook had switched the attack perfectly and amazingly each Steeple Aston bowler had taken at least one wicket, a true team performance: Tom Maxwell 1-44, Chris Neville 2-33, Pete Higgins 1-32, Greg Renk 2-22, Kevin Osborne 1-17 and Stan Owen 1-28. The fielding too had been of a high standard with Jock Shepherd and Harvey Townson making some great stops in the outfield.
Victory beckons, but first more tea....and wine
The day had started with a marquee lunch masterminded by the brilliant Jane Stewart, who was more than ably supported by David Stewart (general factotum), Cath & Anna Shepherd, Richard, Callie, Harry & Freddy Gibbs, and Jock Shepherd (Bar). You could tell the food was good because Mike Gatting came round for fifth helpings and uttered the immortal line “Well I don’t do quick singles any more!” (Did he ever?). Jock did a great job of filling up the Taverners batsmen with many glasses of wine; sadly he did the umpires too, who never gave an LBW all day; Barry Norman told me when I appealed for LBW against Mike Gatting that he felt sure he would have given him out, if only he could see the other end of the wicket! It was marvellous to see everyone mingling so happily with the Taverners; Graeme Hick explaining to Chris Neville the finer points of batsmanship and how not to fall over when you deliver your first ball (he failed to listen!). However my most abiding memory is that uttered by all Taverners that it was wonderful to come and play cricket in a “real village environment”. They truly loved the friendship extended by Steeple Aston and Chris Tarrant said as much on the Public Address system...several times. During a hectic tea break Caroline Owen-Lloyd and her team (Charlotte, Ginny, Sharon, Melanie and Abby) upped the tempo of tea and cake servings and raised an incredible £1,100 during the day. Suitably replenished the teams returned to the field, minus Tarrant who retuned to commentating and generally mixing with the crowd.
SACC needed a great start....
And we got it as Simon Cleobury (26) and Stan Owen (20) hit 40 runs from the first 6 overs. Stan went a bit crazy by hitting Gladstone Small for 3 fours in one over. “Oooh” said Graeme Hick, “You don’t want to make Gladstone angry”. Next ball Stan was back in the pavilion with stumps splayed asunder. We then had a mini collapse that left us 71-4, but Tom Maxwell (35) and Peter Higgins (16) put on 46 runs for the next wicket and so at 117-5 we needed 74 off the last 7 overs. Cometh the hour, cometh Chris Tarrant. His only contribution in the field was to bowl one over and what an over, as he leaked 19 runs to Mark Mills (34) and Kevin Osborne (29). And so it was that we needed 6 off the last ball to win. Sadly we could manage only a two, falling 3 runs short at 187-7 ,but what a match and what a marvellous bunch of guys the Lord’s Taverners are: modest, easy to approach, no airs and graces, just a bunch of people having fun and raising a lot of money for charity. We retired to the marquee for restorative drinks and reflected on what might have been, though one sensed the Taverners had just enough class to squeeze through whatever we threw at them.
So how much money did we raise for the Charity?
For those that missed it the match even featured on BBC South on the Monday; Tom Maxwell has 18 copies in case you want one. There just remained speeches and thanks to all and even better a cricket bag with cricket kit worth £500 was presented to the Warriner School by Chris Tarrant, but how much money did we raise? Kate Adams, who was in charge of the raffle, helped generate £3,549; Alan Peckham and his team made £587 selling programmes; Chris Read sold £122 of ice-cream; Mel from the Red Lion sold £360 in beer and the Taverners held a match day collection and raised a further £477. Our original target was £8,000, then £10,000 and finally £15,000, but it looks as though we will just surpass:
£18,000
A truly amazing performance by all those in the club and village who helped. Both Nick Cleobury and I, who are both members of the Lord’s Taverners, were thrilled with our performance and it is certainly more than any other village side has ever raised in a single event for the Lord’s Taverners. We should all be very proud of what we have achieved.
And finally...
They want us back next year – Graeme Hick even wrote to the match manger apologising for getting so few runs (don’t worry Graeme!), but saying how much he had enjoyed himself and looked forward to the fixture next year. Well it won’t be next year, as we are all too tired, but maybe in 2014!!
Yours both exhausted and elated
Peter Higgins
Chairman SACC
For photos of the match, please click here.
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SACC v Lord’s Taverners Raffle
List of prizewinners
Jack Russell signed print (2005 Ashes Test at Trent Bridge) Tim Taylor
Signed Steven Finn Cricket Shirt Nick Powell
Dixons Advent Vega James Davis
One Day Canal Trip for ten (from Heyford) Gill Scotchbrook
The Bell, B&B for two (Hampton Poyle) John Davis
Julia Beuch jewelry voucher (Woodstock) Martin McGrath
Boden voucher Pete Stratton
Cath Kidston voucher S Jones
Charles Tyrwhitt Shirts voucher Neil Everitt
Nicholson Nurseries voucher (North Aston) Felix Frances
The Red Lion, Sunday lunch for four (Steeple Aston) Dave Coles
The Duke of Cumberland's Head, meal for two (Clifton) Howell David
The White Horse Inn, meal fort two (Duns Tew) Alan Peckham
Three bottles of vintage Port Mark W
Heythrop Park Spa, back, neck & shoulder massage Pete Higgins
Cedar Therapy,back, neck & shoulder massage (Deddington) Cathy Longfield
Eagles Voucher (Deddington) Mr E Whiting
Signed Sarah Raven Cookery Book Russ
Renault Formula 1 goodies Helen Fox
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The youngest SACC team ever...?
Our first match of the season against Brill fell on the bank holiday, so we were a bit short of players. Step forward Charlie Scotchbrook (10), Arthur Higgins (10), Harry Camilleri (10), Alex Hatzigeorgiou (13), Alex Ramos (15), Kit Nevile (15) and Ryan O’Sullivan (16) plus four old gits! Mean age 25, median age 15 and mode 10 – now that is what I call “Building for the Future”. Brill won the toss and were soon rolling along at 80-0, when somehow Peter Higgins (3-13) managed to take 3 wickets in one over, aided by a great catch from Jon Scotchbrook. Ryan O’Sullivan (1-19) bowled a much improved line and with Charlie Scotchbrook (2-0) bowling a double-wicket maiden thanks to a stunning catch by Kevin Osborne, we restricted Brill to 177 in their 40 overs, an achievable target.
After a tricky start Jon hit a typically ebullient 23 and with Chris Neville on 16 not out alongside the Chairman (56 not out) it was all looking so good, until I gave Chris some advice: “The only person who is going to get you out today, is you, so don’t give your wicket away”, which of course he immediately did, as did Kit Nevile and Ryan O’Sullivan. I shut up after that mainly because I was too tired to talk. The young lads came in and all scored a few runs, though sadly I ran my son out! Yes, I know, how terrible was that? I had agreed with their captain that, if a youngster hit the ball off the square, they would be allowed to run a single to encourage them. Sadly he forgot to tell his team that! Mortified by my actions I offered to be out instead. “No we couldn’t do that, it’s just not cricket” – some irony there I think. So we fell an agonising 25 runs short, but a great experience for all the young lads.
The NPower National Village knockout round 1...
Another Bank Holiday, another four players missing, but not to worry as we were only playing the village that has won the National Championship more times than any other! Luckily we won the toss and batted first. Tom Maxwell produced his best innings ever for the village with a belligerent 78, including one straight six that almost stopped their unsportsmanlike banter. Rob Hull also played his best innings for the village with a mature 33 runs against a strong attack, though as Homer Simpson, often says “his best innings....so far”. With contributions from Simon Cleobury (15) and Peter Higgins (10 not out) we closed on a creditable 167-7. Not surprisingly given that we were missing our more experienced bowlers, they knocked off the runs with only 2 wickets down. A fine in-swinger from Rob Hull (1-31) accounted for their opener and an ever so rank full toss on leg stump from Ryan O’Sullivan (1-25) saw their other opener caught on the boundary ropes by Ashley Clarke’s amazing jump and catch; don’t worry, Ryan, they all count! We returned home pride intact and again it had been a great experience for this young side.
Chairman’s XI – can it ever get any better, or amusing?
As ever the SACC batted first and the comedy began. With an average age of 50 my team is not that agile; in fact four volunteered to go in the slips, but sadly I do not have a bowler good enough to warrant even one slip! It is not often that both opening bowlers run in off three paces, but they roared in and soon the SACC was reeling at 31-4. Phil Chesser got a golden duck and asked plaintively “Surely you cannot be out first ball on your birthday?” Back in the pavilion he consoled himself with an early beer. However as the quality of bowling deteriorated yet further Jon Scotchrook (107 retired embarrassed) and Mark Mills (50 retired unhurt) put on a fine partnership and, as the Chairman came on to bowl, all looked set for a fine confrontation until his second ball, when he tore his hamstring! The remaining 5.4 overs were bowled off two paces. With some mighty swipes at the end Ashley Clarke (25 not out) took the village to 253 for 9, a winning total surely against such a geriatric team?
The Chairman’s XI began with four batsmen requiring a runner from injuries sustained in the field (a record surely?). Chris Nevile, always one to empathise, then tore his calf muscle so also bowled off 2 paces – would there be enough fit people to finish the match? Stan Owen left the pitch early, he said, to “go to the ballet”, but we all know he was injured too, as surely it’s less humiliating than admitting a trip to the ballet? Scott Powles, who came up specially for the day from his new home in Devizes, took 2-11 and Chris Nevile’s debilitated 2-22 had the SACC firmly in charge of the match, but some fine hitting from the Chairman’s wicket-keeper (during his asthma attack) took the total to 190-5. Then cometh the hour, cometh the birthday boy, Phil Chesser (2-18), who had never taken a wicket before, bowled the star bat (torn meniscus) with a wonderfully flighted full toss. Gus Mills (2-7) then trapped the Chairman LBW much to his delight and that of, frankly, everyone else there! Charlie Scotchbrook (1-13) polished off the last man and the SACC were victorious by 34 runs. A wonderful game and a hilarious night in the Red Lion ensued, where injuries were discussed, poked, examined and generally laughed at. I took the liberty of asking my team, if it was time to hang up their boots, to which they replied as one that they would return next year fitter than Owen Hargreaves, Inzaman-ul-Haq and Jonny Wilkinson put together!
The Lord’s Taverners...
By the time you read this we will have faced Gladstone Small and been hit around the ground by Mike Gatting and Graeme Hick. We hope to have seen you all there and that the weather was tremendous. It looks as though we should raise more than £16,000, but I will let you know more about this great day in our history soon.
Yours hobblingly
Peter Higgins
Chairman SACC
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Raffle in aid of Lord’s Taverners
This raffle is to be drawn on Sunday 22nd May at the match between Steeple Aston and the Lord's Taverners at Barton Abbey. All proceeds will go to the Lord’s Taverners charity. For more information on their work, go to www.lordstaverners.org.
Entrance to the match is free and souvenir programmes will be on sale for £2. Play starts at 2.00pm.
The raffle prizes on offer are:
Jack Russell signed print worth £500 (2005 Ashes Test at Trent Bridge)
White Horse, Duns Tew: meal for two
Red Lion, Steeple Aston: meal for two
Julia Bouche: £200 voucher
Boden: £150 voucher
Cath Kidson: £100 voucher
Nicholson Nurseries: £100 voucher
Charles Tyrwhitt: £100 voucher
Heythrop Park Spa: mini break
One Day Canal trip for ten from Heyford
Signed Sarah Raven Cookery Book
Eagles hamper
The Bell, Hampton Poyle: B&B for two
The Duke of Cumberland's Head: meal for two
Three bottles of vintage port
Cedar Therapy: full body massage
2011 Season...
Welcome to the 2011 cricket season, our most exciting yet as we welcome the Lord’s Taverners cricket club to Barton Abbey on Sunday 22nd May. To avoid utter humiliation at the hands of Messrs Gatting, Hick and Hoggard, we need to get into the practice nets, so the first net session will be:
Thursday 7th April at 7pm on Robinsons Close
and thereafter every Thursday for the rest of the season.
2011 Fixtures for April/May...
24th April Brill Away
1st May Shipton (NPower round 1) Away
8th May Deddington Home
14th May Peter Higgins’ XI Home 11.30am
22nd May Lord’s Taverners Home 2pm
All games start at 2.30pm on a Sunday except where indicated and my bunch of geriatrics always play on a Saturday! We are delighted to be playing Deddington again, but not so delighted to be playing Shipton in the NPower National Village Knockout, since they have been to Lords twice in 2003 and 2004, and won! But then Bangladesh beat England and Italy beat France at rugby, so you never know.
2011 New players...
Mmmm, well we have been active in the transfer market and like Sir Alex have made absolutely no new acquisitions, save for Jo Ellis’ boyfriend Nick ,who says he has “played a bit”. That said we have 30 “active” players in the club now, including five under 18s, so we are looking forward to a strong season where the minimum aim is to win more than we lose, and to have a lot of fun along the way.
Fund-raising...
We have now raised more than £6,000 and special mentions must go to:
Stan Owen sponsored half-marathon £1,600
Phil Chesser sponsored Olympic triathlon £1,000
Kevin Osborne sponsored bike ride to Lords £500
Jock Shepherd sale of raffle tickets £300
for their superlative efforts in raising money. The Nicholas Parsons night is fully sold out and we hope by filling you up with prodigious quantities of Laithwaites’ wine, you will be more than generous in the Auction! Our first target was £8,000, we then moved to £10,000, but now I think £12,000 has to be it. Always good to move the goal posts! A big thanks to all those in the club and village who are helping, though particularly to Greg Renk who is producing the souvenir programme, and Jane Stewart, who is masterminding all the catering. By the time you read this, there will be seven weeks to go and we will be in full panic mode, but we will get there I know. Just pray for good weather!!
Peter Higgins
Chairman SACC
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Lord’s Taverners cricket match against Steeple Aston
SACC will play the Lord’s Taverners on Sunday 22nd May 2011 at Barton Abbey cricket ground. So far the Taverners who have confirmed are:
Mike Gatting, former England cricket captain
Chris Tarrant, TV/Radio star and presenter of “Who wants to be a millionaire?”
Gavin Hastings, British Lions and Scotland rugby captain*
Rob Andrew, British Lions and England rugby
Sean Fitzpatrick, All Black captain and most capped All Black ever
* of course Gavin has already played at Steeple Aston once before and famously dropped a “high ball” from Jon Scotchbrook
Mike Gatting hopes to invite some other test players too to make up the team. So all we have to do is raise £8,000.
Fundraising update…
We held our Lord’s Taverners Golf Day at Heythrop Park on Friday 3rd September in the most glorious weather. Mike Gatting is pictured here with Test cricketers Huw Morris and Gladstone Small just after playing the sixth, accompanied by a sports journalist (on the left).
I am delighted to say that we attracted 25 teams (100 golfers in all, of which 21 were from the village). Unfortunately Will Greenwood, former British Lion and England rugby player, could not make it, so I was finally “selected” to play for an International Rugby Team, albeit at golf! I am pictured here with Rugby Internationals Sean Fitzpatrick, Gavin Hastings and Rob Andrew after scoring very few points on the sixth hole.
It was great to see the famous sportsmen mingling with one and all. I know that Scott Powles was thrilled to meet Rob Andrew, his boyhood idol, and Rob did a very good job of looking interested by Scott for at least 5 minutes! Likewise Sarah in the Red Lion seems to have developed a bit of a crush on Gavin Hastings – only another eight months to wait till he is back again! The event was a great success and we raised just over £4,000 - a great start.
During August Harvey Townson, who runs a Temporary Staffing Agency, managed to persuade his staff to give 10p for every hour overtime they worked in the month to the Taverners. Incredibly Harvey raised just over £1,000, a fantastic achievement and a huge thank you to Harvey for displaying such ingenuity.
In an equally enterprising way Ryan O’Sullivan and Charles Powell set up a cricket bowling competition at the Flower and Dog show and raised a further £50 by giving people the chance to bowl six balls at an unguarded set of stumps. I still don’t know how, but Phil Chesser hit the stumps five times out of six – amazing, though of course in a real game they would all have gone for six! Actually I am just jealous as I managed only one. A big thank you to Ryan and Charlie. There will be many other fund-raising events throughout the rest of the year and into next including Kevin Osborne cycling from Steeple Aston to Lords; Ryan O’Sullivan, Sam Hatz, Chris Read and Charles Powell cycling a long way (any decisions yet lads??) and Scott and David Powles running a car wash for the week-end. The new target is £10,000.
Fundraising dinner…
So to the Annual Awards Dinner, which will be held in the village hall on Saturday 9th October at 7pm. Tickets as ever to include a 3-course meal and a substantial quantity of wine will be £20 each and are available from me. Please call 01869 347493 or email me on peter.higgins@ctshirts.co.uk . We have managed to acquire some amazing raffle prizes including a signed Kevin Pietersen shirt (I wish he’d score some runs), an Alistair Cook shirt (ditto the runs) and a scorecard of Graham Gooch’s 333 at Lords against India signed by the great man himself. He did say he might even come to the dinner! More news next month.
Best wishes
Peter Higgins
Chairman