SRCC V MADEHURST CC - 11th June

Dear Senior Ramblers,

Last Sunday was a momentous day in the annals of the Southwell Ramblers – because not one, but two, 3^rd generation players took the field for the club. I will try to recount what happened, because it was a truly remarkable afternoon.

Madehurst is a village near Arundel, which has a delightful cricket ground in a bowl, slightly reminiscent of Hascombe CC, where some of us have played @paulhaddock! On the Saturday evening Captain Gus had a full side but, as so often before, on Sunday morning he was one short, because Tim Stansbury had not recovered sufficiently from a bout of Covid to take part. So Gus and another of our sons-in-law Mark DB (who was already in the side) decided that Mark’s son Peter, and Gus’s daughter Amy should join the squad of 12 players, now including 2 of our grandchildren!

A bit of background –

Peter DB is 12 years old, plays U13 club cricket for the same club as his father (Tichbourne), and is also in the Hampshire summer squad for his age group. Mark also coaches both the club and county youngsters. Peter bats, and bowls leg breaks.

Amy Williamson is 15 years old and also plays club cricket, for Valley End CC in Surrey, and is in the MCC U16 team for the Guildford hub, now in the quarter-finals of a nationwide competition. Amy likes to bowl, pounding in off a long run!

So they have both played a bit of cricket, and only Amy once before for the Ramblers.

Back to the match – the Ramblers batted first, and made a very respectable 198 for 6 off 35 overs, reduced from 40 due to a rain interruption. There were contributions all round including 46 from Mark DB, and a quick 37 from the skipper off about 15 balls! Neither of the debutantes were required to bat, in fact only Peter would have done so anyway.

Then the Ramblers took the field – the opposition also had a couple of youngsters playing, and readily agreed that both Peter and Amy could take part. Our opening bowlers bowled steadily albeit slightly booze-fueled from an extended tea, but were not taking many wickets, so Gus threw the ball to young Peter. With his second ball he took a wicket, and then it all started happening! Gus came on himself at the other end, and the wickets soon tumbled at both ends. Gus took 2 and then another, Peter took a second wicket, then in his next over 2 in consecutive balls. At the end of his spell Peter had figures of 7 – 1 – 4 – 23. They just couldn’t handle his leg spin!

Meanwhile, Mark DB had left the field (weary from his batting exertions!) and Amy was able to join in. She bowled 2 overs, and also took a wicket! By this time the result was a foregone conclusion, and Madehurst could only muster 151 for 9 off their 35 overs.

There was only one candidate for the yellow jersey. I have attached some photos of the day, including the debutantes together and with their fathers. My only regret was that Claire and I were not there to witness what happened, because we were attending a memorial, but I’m sure we will see them play again, and hopefully with other 3^rd generation Ramblers.

What a start to our 50^th anniversary season, can’t wait to see as many of you as possible in Devon in August.

Joe Stansbury