Match Report: 2021 NECC Colts and Club Match Day

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On Sunday, one of the highlights of the year arrived when all members of the club came together for a day of cricket in the Colts and Club Match Day!


Not only was the weather kind to us, grill-master, Sean, had single-handedly prepared and fired up the traditional, legendary barbecue and as the first burgers were coming off the grill, the colts game started: a 22-over match between The Norwood Ducks and the wonderfully presumptuously-named The Winners. 

The Ducks won the toss and chose to bat in front a welcoming crowd of friends and families and what followed was a delight with some wonderful fielding, batting and bowling on display from everyone on the field.

The nominal home team, The Norwood Ducks, set a target of 42 for the 'visitors' and a particular highlight of their innings was the spectacle of our Data Secretary hammering his son for 2 fours over the leg boundary in 4 balls on his way to 15 in a masterclass of plastic batting and domestic politics.

The Winners' reply was emphatic and excellent batting throughout the order brought them victory, scoring a brilliant 67 at the close.

It was absolutely fantastic to see such commitment, involvement, competitiveness and quality from our Colts; they clearly have a love of the game and it's really promising for the club's future. Well played all!



After a short break the hardball game got underway in the shape of a T20 between teams chosen by our Vice-Captain: Elite and our Captain: The Lakers.
Not only did this game benefit from the involvement of some of our hardball colts but also from appearances by our Life President, John; Chairman, Mark; and former-Captain and two-time Player of The Year, Julian.

Our Captain and Vice selected their teams, the Vice peppering his opening picks with family members in a display of shameless nepotism although he made sure to note that he was only picking his uncle, our Honourable Chairman, because "the shame of getting out to your bowling would be too much to deal with". 
With the teams decided, the Vice won the toss and elected to bat on the non-turf pitch.

Family members and friends playing against each other guarantees good humour and exceptional banter and this was in evidence from the first ball which saw former-Captain, Julian, opening the bowling against his son.
A flurry of activity bought our Honourable Chairman to the strike where he was promptly bowled off his first ball followed by a slightly belated, but no-doubt completely justified, call of 'no-ball' from the Umpire. Unfortunately, he was not able to take advantage of the free-hit, or anything else for that matter as he was caught two balls later.
Former-Captain Julian
At the other end, Julian, who had clearly not been made aware that barbers are now open, settled right back in to his groove as he hit our Captain for six over his head and kept the boundaries coming. Looking every inch the reincarnation of W. G. Grace in both manner and person, he nobly retired on 34. Unfortunately for our Vice, his other batsmen did not seem as comfortable against the varied bowling attack and wickets kept falling at regular intervals.

This was probably not helped by the inventive, brilliant and relentless sledging from first slip which was occupied by our Honourable Lifetime President. It was a masterclass in what Steve Waugh called 'mental disintegration'.

With the Elite innings looking like it would not make it to three figures, up to the crease stepped Josh who cameoed a superb 10 runs off of the Captain's last over.

Overall the fielding team were pleased with their effort and it was superb to see some of the best deliveries of the innings coming from our hardball Colts.

Chasing 109, Jez and Luke offered a sharp reply, picking boundaries off the bad balls and keeping the good ones out. Josh and Aidan opened the bowling with steady overs but the real danger came from the teasing, gravity-defying leg-spin of our Chairman which our openers wisely saw off. 
At the other end, they capitalised on some generous, regulation full tosses from Aaron and Jez retired after reaching an efficient 20. Luke and Nico, however, were victims of some metronomic good-old-line-and-length-bowling from former-Captain, W.G. Grace. 

Iain kept the boundaries coming at the other end as Arthur joined him and they took the team close to the target and retired for 21 and 12 respectively which meant it was left to two of our Colts to carry it over the line for The Lakers which they did in style with one over remaining.

In all, it was a tremendously enjoyable day; great atmosphere, good cricket and a lot of fun.
It was especially heartening to see the commitment and talent of our young players which not only bodes well for our future but shows us that we are getting close to seeing an ambition fulfilled of our first female NECC player.

A special thanks must go to Kashif for umpiring in both games and also to our Grill-Master and former (although hopefully that will revert to current!) player, Sean, who very generously donated all the food, his time and BBQ skills to the club.
All the proceeds from the day and food will go towards the welfare and development of the club.

Thank you to everyone who was there in any capacity and here's to the present and the future of NECC.
Location: South Norwood Lake & Grounds, Woodvale Ave, London SE25 4AN, UK

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