Remnants vs. Cambridge Centaurs

18:00, Tuesday, June 14, 2022
Fitzwilliam College

Cambridge Centaurs (185/2 in 15 8-ball overs)
defeated
Remnants (144/3 in 15 8-ball overs)
by 41 runs.

Report by Paul Jordan:

At last a game of cricket that felt like summer had finally arrived. With a splendid victory over the Kiwis still in our minds, we looked forward to that annual fixture against the Centaurs at a glorious Fitzwilliam ground with a verdant green outfield, bathed in warm sunshine. In the distance we could hear some songs and bestial grunting coming from the bar which we believe is the College rugby club's annual celebration. The proviso according to Dave Norman is they don't have to pay if they drink the bar dry, but that any damage or vomiting must be dealt with. Perhaps Remnants should consider this as an alternative to our end-of-season dinner celebration?

Mike Foulkes sends one down.

So, back to the game. It transpired that before we started the game proper, there had been some horse trading and pre-match negotiations. This meant we had acquired Centaurs Temoor Khan and Qaiser Ahmed, long-term Remnants members, to bolster our rather bare bowling attack. Mike Foulkes and TK opened the bowling and after 6 (eight-ball) overs the Centaurs had progressed to an ominous 62/0. Mike and TK were up against two hard hitting and stylish openers who effortlessly moved the score on looking to score off each ball, something they came close to achieving. Retirements at 35 was agreed which just brought to the crease yet another stylish batsman. With a change of bowlers the scoring was kept to a reasonable level, one which didn't include too many boundaries. Stefan Mandelbaum (1/26) was rewarded for his efforts with a wicket at the end of the spell and we felt at long last we had made a breakthrough. Paul Jordan's 2 overs at this stage had only suffered one boundary which felt like a small victory. One has to bear in mind that even though the Centaurs appear to have a relaxed and jocular demeanour, this can change in an instant when club rivalries come to the surface, as when the Centaurs were facing one of their own.

Qaiser was brought on from the Tennis Court End and was up against a club rival. This particular over was exhilarating to witness. Qaiser is no slouch and bowls at a brisk pace enough to hurry any batsman. The Centaurs batsman launched an immediate assault on his bowling, starting with a sequence of 4 6 4 which echoed Jonny Bairstow's efforts against New Zealand earlier in the day. The total was now accelerating and a large total was clearly on the horizon. The remaining overs were bowled with enthusiasm and as in the entire match backed up by some excellent fielding; coming from Andy Bell, James Robinson, captain Chris Badger and Stefan. Apparently certain boundaries were cut off and backing up was exemplary. Still, the Centaurs concluded their innings on an eye watering 185/2.

Tom Serby takes strike.

As we left the field Chris began to bark out the batting order, which surprisingly didn't include him in the top four - he clearly had confidence in our top order. Tom Serby and James Robinson strode to the square purposefully, with Tom practising his Strictly-style sideways warm up manoeuvres. He and James began the task of chasing down this huge total or at least coming close to it. Both of them treated us to a range of drives and cuts which yielded a number of boundaries. To put this in context we were a run ahead of the Centaurs at the same stage after 5 overs. The Centaurs also gave us the full range of their mirth-making which punctuates almost every over. A misfield or overthrow is greeted with howls of laughter and by now we are all familiar with the choralling from the outfield of "shabash!" when they are in the ascendancy. Tom finally succumbed for a splendid 43 (off 44 balls) and with James scoring a combative 32 (off 26 balls), we had certainly risen to the task of the chase. Simon Godsill and Andy Bell continued in the same vein, Simon eventually run out for a spirited 32 (off as many balls) and Andy not out on 18 (also off as many balls), allowing Nick Johnson a cameo of 1* (off 3 balls). We finished up with 144/3, our second highest total of the season . . . but still 41 runs short of our target.

Nick Johnson waits for the chance to make his cameo.

As I have mentioned earlier the bar was out of bounds, which was a great shame. Tonight's game was played in great spirit and our thanks must go to TK and Qaiser for stepping up to bolster our bowling. As Daniel had commented on WhatsApp it was a valiant effort. We must also acknowledge that the Centaurs play the game with a brilliant attitude and it was a pleasure to be part of the game tonight - cheers . . . and shabash!!!