Summer Sixes Match Report 2008
By Julian Burrows

Dear All

Today has seen a mega day of cricket played at FB fields, featuring 11 teams, including 2 Springfield teams. A lot of credt must go to Will Gorman for organising such a great day. Well done Will! Its been painful but you got there in the end, a bit like getting married I’m told.

Going out last night for a few sherberts was a good idea, until it turned a little heavy, fortunately I realised the error of my ways and made a sharp exit, after drinking Mexico out of Corona, and Russia out of Smirnoff Ice. I tend to find my reactions are better when I'm like this, perhaps because I have nothing to think about, but the headache. Anyway back to cricket. I had picked a squad with bags of experience, and a mix of youth, yet I have had to make some seriously hard decisions on selection. However, the team captained by Peter Osmont didn’t fair so well. Unlucky boys, but the experience will have done you good.

We opened up with a game against one of the Centurion teams, I'm not sure which one, and neither are they. It was destined to be a good game of cricket, especially seen as we had a few new players in the side, including a nifty off spinner called Matt ‘Mushtaq’ Collin, and an aptly named swing bowler called Chico. Typical Springfield, we opened up with a win, despite a determined fight to try and lose the game in true Springfield style, with one of their guys taking a very very dodgy hat trick, including a leg before against myself, which not even Maurice du Bois would have given, as it was missing at least 2 sets of stumps! Not to be outdone, JCB stepped forward and got us home! In our second game, I’m certain it was the same players in the other Centurion team, and once again we got home in style with a win!

A little break ensued before our final group match against the mavericks, and the selection committee tossed the coin to see which member of the squad would step by, and allow another member to play. JC was the unlucky man, had he played he would have probably won the trophy for most sixes! The Mavericks had had a very bad run against the Centurions, losing both and not taking any wickets. They set us a decent target of 71, which was looking a touch out as wickets were falling, however, when the chips are down, the Springfield way is to stand up and be counted. Last man standing is the order of the day, and I’m possibly going to ask for it as a rule next year, and I will quite happily bat down the order every time. With quite a few runs needed (after Will V ran himself out), I stepped up and hit some beautiful strokes, and some fantastic Canham esque edges, but with 3 wins out of 3, we topped the group.

Up next in the semi final, were the pre tournament favourites the Wanderers. However the barbecue and the beers they had drunk throughout the afternoon, made theirs a below par score. However Ryan Evans' bowling was absolute class for the final over knocking over Alan Morris’s off stump. 58 was the target, and 58 we shall get, with an over to spare, including some great shots from Phil Evans, and also Chico. Chico? I hear you say, yes, Chico. We’ve had a lot of fun with that all day, in fact its been Chico time a lot of the time.

Into the final we went against one of the Centurion teams, again it seemed to be more switching and changing between the teams than a St Ouens family. However, I had some serious selection dilemmas and I really couldn’t decide who to leave out and even contemplated myself. But two true gents stepped forward and both offered in the interests of the team to step down. A great debate took place, but a man who has done so much for the club over the past year, and a man I’m delighted to call a friend, stood by, to enable the youngsters to play. Will Villiers, thank you, you are a true gent, and its been an honour to have you around the team today.

However, I seem to have a lot of luck in winning the toss, and squad decision was to have a bowl. It didn’t quite go to plan, and they racked up 93 off their 5 overs, which is a new record for the tournament. We seemed to be up for it, and had a few runs on the board, but JC went for a crazy run, but unfortunately the elephant/cheetah super breed hadn’t had his weetabix or his red bull and was out by a country mile. Up stepped Chico in his stated no3 position, and he hit a few runs before being bowled. So batting together, father and son Evans were going well, but the run rate was getting steep, so Phil took matters into his own hands, and was unlucky to be caught on the mid wicket boundary. Hmmm foot on the boundary rope?? Anyway, doesn’t matter now. I went in with a lot of runs needed, but couldn’t quite keep up with the run rate, seen as we needed a four off every ball to win. Unfortunately we didn’t manage to hold on to our trophy, that was won last year, and the Centurions took it away. It was however a great team effort, and I’d really like to thank those players who made the team special, Phil Evans, Ryan Evans, James Cartmell, Will Villiers, Matt Collin & Chico. 3 players who will be great for the club in the future, I guarantee it. In fact I’ll bet Pete Canham’s bat, that they will be playing 1st team cricket faster than he scores a ton.

Its been an absolutely fabulous day of cricket, which a lot of people have thoroughly enjoyed, and I’ve really enjoyed captaining the team. Bit of a shame not to win it again, but I guess we have to come back stronger next year. Over £2,000 was raised for charity today, which is an outstanding amount. There’s going to be some superb pictures on the website from today, and Will V will keep you posted on that.

Tomorrow sees the fantastic Aztec Springfield 2nd XI, take on St Ouens on FB2. We are top of the league, and we could do with a bit more support to spur us on to victory. A few more victories and we would win the league!! Ed Kean’s mum is on sandwich duty, so there should be a good bit of grub going. Please come down and show your support for the team, would be great to have you, as well as the usual suspects of Roberts & Roberts?? and Evans. Tickets are on sale now. Don’t forget your suntan lotion and your shouting voices!