Romany

Ladies and Gentlemen, I bring you the match report from Thursday 30th April, where the Sussex Martlets welcomed Romany CC to our spiritual home of Arundel castle.
As spring days go, we couldn’t have asked the weather gods for anything more in order to enjoy our day of annual leave. A far cry from the sad cancellation of this fixture last September, Arundel was looking imperious. Following a convoy leaving Arundel station to collect what felt like half the team, we arrived at 10.15 on the dot, as requested by yours truly. Every single martlet was looking sharp and suitably dressed for the occasion, which immediately put the MM in good spirits before
the day had even begun.
It will never cease to amaze me just how flat a flat thing can be, even in April, when walking out to the middle at Arundel. Lachlan Hose, overseas for my own Buxted Park CC this season, having only been in the country for 24 hours by this point, was constantly reminding everyone ‘yeah it’s not bad here, aye?’. Thanks, Lachie, it’s not my first rodeo.
After some debate amongst the squad about what to do at the toss, I ultimately decided I couldn’t be bothered to get changed just yet, so we batted first. Once again, in true Martlets fashion, everyone can (or wanted) to bat and no one could (or didn’t want) to bowl. Like always, being the good bloke I am, I put myself at 11, which was probably a wise thing to do anyway given the size of my knee. Nonetheless, Oscar Harman and Luke Forster walked to the middle, knowing full well the only way they were going to get out would be a method of their own making, most likely.
Shock horror, Luke decided to slap one to cover when looking well set on 42. For those that don’t know Luke, this is a very Luke thing to do. Just the minor blow up followed, after Luke remembered where he was. This was, however, the only wicket to fall in the morning session, with the boys reaching 145-1 at the break, with Oscar 68*. The side tucked into a quality feed of steak and ale pie with veggies, followed by a plethora of desserts. It was only a few days ago I discovered a few of my side actually went up for dessert multiple times! Good players go twice,
get your moneys worth, and all that…
Oscar and Martlets debutant, Sam Theodoridi, waddled back out to the middle to continue from where they left off. Sam made a classy run-a-ball 25, before sadly falling. A good knock on debut, nonetheless. Not long after, Oscar tucked one away to bring up a chance-less maiden
Martlets hundred. The bank of supporters and the boys by the pavilion all rose to their feet to applaud a brilliant knock and one that meant a lot more than most. A special hundred by a special young man. Well batted, Oscar.
This meant two of my closest friends, tweedledumb and tweedledee (Tom Clift of Buxted CC and James Allen of Sanderstead CC) were at the crease together. At this point they knew the declaration was probably imminent, given we were 235-3. Tom nailed his first ball for 4 through
cover and James, after reminding me he’s not picked up a bat for nearly a year, landed a big mixer half way up the bank. After deciding they were having too much fun, I decided to bring the lads in on 264 from 48 overs.
To my amazement, the first words to leave Tom’s mouth after walking up the steps to the pavilion were ‘you’ve robbed us of Arundel 50’s here’. Tom was on 34 and James was on 23… a real robbing indeed.
Anyway, tantrums over, the side headed out to defend our total. After much convincing, Matt Ritchie very reluctantly agreed to take the new ball. Matt then, very reluctantly, steamed in. Matt then, very reluctantly, removed their top order to leave Romany 32-3. Matt then, very reluctantly, realised I was a genius. From the other end, Dilshan De Silva of Slindfold, a last minute replacement for Buxted’s own Dom Heater, who had to be at home to accept arrival of his new car, was working away without much luck. Either way, both were a pleasure to watch from slip and meant I didn’t really have to move very far. Big win.
Replacing Matt and Dilly, were Lachie of Frankston Peninsula with his tall, left arm orthodox and Joe O’Gorman, whose family is full of Martlets history. I must confess, leading up to the game I, for some reason, thought Joe bowled left arm seam, despite having played with Joe many times over the past decade… good skip. Watching both of them in tandem was a joy. Once again, this was viewed by myself from slip, where every good captain should stand.
In a blink of an eye it was time for more food apparently. We headed into the pavilion to see a selection of fresh sandwiches and a silly amount of cake options, given we’d just eaten our weight in pie no more than 2 hours prior. Anyway, we all tucked in and it was at this point in time Dom, who had dropped out earlier as noted, but had come to support the boys anyway, informed me he had his whites on him. What a star.
First ball after tea, Lachie fires down a quicker one onto leg stump and their number 5, who I don’t think had opened his eyes yet, was on his way back. Whilst leaving the field, the number 5
humorously turned to Lachie and said ‘I wasn’t expecting that one’. To which Lachie laughed and replied, ‘no s*** mate’. You’ll fit in just right round here, big man!
At this point, I’d seen enough from the boys. I trusted my right hand man, newly engaged Laurie Cadle, with the armband and called for Domma to replace me for a bit. Fielding is much more fun from the benches, I’ve decided. What pursued, however, was a bit of a bore fest. Romany’s
number 4, who could have passed as a Brian May impersonator, decided he was going to bat all day. Brian, finished 25 not out from the 122 balls he faced whilst ‘trying’ to chase 264. Not cool, Brian, not cool.
However, Joe was feeling a bit rough and so, fittingly, I came back onto the field for the last few overs. I decided to even give myself the last over as I actually wanted my name to be in the
scorebook after such a long day. On one leg, hopping in, I proceeded to pull the pin on a few grenades and launch them 22 years towards fellow Martlet, George Bryans, who had been drafted in last minute to complete the Romany side. At one point during this over, I had 3 wicket keepers
for some reason, not sure why? Tom, who is an excellent slip fielder, decided he didn’t want to catch one off my and instead booted it away. Probably because I ‘robbed’ him of a 50… Petty bunch aren’t they.
The very last ball of the day, George sent one high out deep long on, where James Allen was scurrying around the boundary to try get his beloved skipper a wicket. Alas, James got nowhere near it, hat and sunnies went all directions and ended up in a heap by the sight screen. Cue mass hysteria from the team. That was the last action of play and hands were shaken with Romany reaching 136/7 from 50 overs and the match ended in a draw.
An excellent day all told and everyone had a fantastic time. Thank you all for making yourselves available and many thanks to Romany CC for coming back after last years disappointment. Great to revive this fixture since our last meeting in the 1980s! Once again, a special mention to Oscar Harman for his maiden Martlets hundred, joining an illustrious group.
A big shout out to James’ father, Dan, who filmed the entire game and the highlights were now up on YouTube on the Sanderstead CC channel. Please do give it a watch and support Dan’s mighty fine work!
Lots of love,
George

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