The **** crowed and Oasby were off - sponsored by The Lighthouse and MacDonalds - to London to meet the Bricklayers Arms and their barbarian hordes.Oasby arrived early, and , as is their wont , went into an intensive training regime. It may have taken it's toll as later in the day Oasby ran out of mental and physical steam. Though their beer-consuming abilities did not diminish.

Oasby fielded first and felt good when the brickies reached 87-7. Steepling balls were plucked from the air (Tedbury), flying panther catches were taken (Baker), leg spin better than Warney bowled Rich round his legs, Caley junior dismissed with risible ease, Young taking wickets at will (and pitching some of his deliveries near the stumps), an lbw appeal allowed. All was rosy, the sun shone. Tedbury and Gilbert bowling in tandem, the shop shut. But no! Caley senior had been in the sun too long. Tedbury, having bowled a maiden, was withdrawn. Young returned. Davidson showed promise. Raul of India was at the the wicket and given batting practice. Tedbury returned - his rhythm interupted he disintegrated under a withering onslaught of shots, including two reverse sweeps. The humiliation! Further batsmen fell to Chandler and Gilbert (who did not know he had ANOTHER five-fer) til Tedbury got his revenge. Searing pace was the undoing of wildly swinging Raul who at last departed for 72 clean bowled. They had added 99 for the last 3 wickets.

Tea. What can we say without sounding ungrateful. It was not up to the standard of Mssrs Caley (senior), Gilbert or Young (or their respective significant others) (see what I did there - much harder when you can't say "wife"). Moving on.

Oasby batting was not glorious. Further evidence for the "excess sun rots Caley brains" theory was provided by his achieving a double diamond gold plated platinum duck; it contained a personal best for Kev Baker - well done; it contained a new first - batsman (Guinness) recalled as not out by the opposition as they disagreed with Oasby's umpire who had given him out. Umpire Davidson to attend umpiring school. The same one previously attended by Tedbury, Caley and Husemeyer. It contained a blatantly out Young - Tedbury's eyes unable to see that the ball had struck him on the foot plumb in front ( he thought it was an Ancaster divot sending the ball in the air). Young profitted for a while, Chandler clumped for a while (then bowled by a grubber) Clamp a glorious not out; basically Oasby were overcome by the duo of Raul and Syeed. They tried to profit from the lesser bowling at the end but by then had lost almost all will to live save for beer.

So pubs were visited (and here the oppostion WERE generous): the basket of flowers (Leather Bottle) serving excellent Youngs and Speckled Hen - 9/10. The Bricklayers Arms serving excellent Taylors not to everyone's taste,; but then some of Gibert's opinions are ludicrous and risible. 9/10. Then the schoolmaster ushered his charges back on the bus, more prayers, toiletstops and MacDonalds and Oasby were home. To reak revenge next year. (And can Rich play for us then please?)

Man of the match : Baker.
Thanks are due to the Lighthouse Church (loan of minibus) MacDonald's (existing), and the LDV minibus (not dying).

Chandler 7-0-28-1; Young 7-0-41-3; Gilbert 7-0-35-5; Davidson 6-0-30-0; Tedbury 6.5-1-41-1

Caley 0, Guiness 16, Husemeyer 4, Gilbert 6, Young 17, Reider 5, Davidson 0, Baker 19, Chandler 14, Tedbury 3, Clamp 8 n.o.

Use the link below to see the opposition's version of events.

The Brickie's Report


Third Test. Oasby v Scopwick at Ancaster,Sunday 4th July 2010. Oasby won by 40 runs. Oasby 100 all out off 28 overs. Scopwick 60 allout off 20 overs.

Oasby v Ancaster, at Ancaster, Sunday 30th May 2010. Oasby lost by 50 runs. Ancaster 160 for 6 off 40 overs. Oasby 110 for 9. And frozen.

The day did not dawn auspiciously. There was frost on the ground and the wind was chill. The ground at Ancaster needed care and attention. It got it - for literally seconds. When the groundsman had finished his devilish work there remained a thin covering of spongy moss. It was pronounced "green". Oasby inspected it and thought "hmmmmmm". No matter, they lost the toss and were invited to field. The sun shone down but the wind did blow.
It started well with Chandler on the money and Young hitting a good length. Ancaster's young finest struggled, especially against Gaunt though Finnis also looked certain to be among the wickets. By the time the deadly duo of Tedbury and Gilbert were bowling a small Ancaster total seemed likely. Then Oasby made a mistake, they let Reider stump an Ancaster youth and adults arrived at the wicket. Tedbury was withdrawn. He sulked. His fielding was inattentive, Clamp's catching was risible (the fines bucket is much in profit). Young returned and found the middle of the wicket; sixes and fours occured. Multiple lbw appeals were denied to Gaunt. He sulked too. Would Guinness' swing be called upon? No! What had happened to the captain? He was at tea, enjoying processed pork products and sharing the belief that this was a target well within Oasby's reach.
It was not. A freezing wind, a black cloud and rain happened. The teams stayed on while it rained then withdrew when it stopped. The croud yelled insults. They started again. After 6 hours they had scored 50 runs. Guinness was slow. Gilbert was still negotiating rice pudding - finally hit the skin straight to a fieder. Out! Gaunt caused optimism but was adjudged lbw by the very same umpire who denied him many appeals as bowler. He sulked some more. Beer softened the blow. Then - nothing. Spectators left in droves. Sheepskin coats were called for. This reporter fell asleep. Some attempts at forcing the pace from Reider and a procesion of batmen to the wicket and back. Guinness was still there. Does his bat have a middle? Baker knocked his bat in. This was not interesting either. Nor was his innings. Clamp did not bat. Or buy a car. No laughs there.

Beer at the social club apparently not poisonous, at the Houblon expensive but tasty White Squall - as befitted the day: 9/10

Chandler 9-1-32-1, Young 8-0-37-0, Finnis 7-0-33-0, Gilbert 7-0-8-2, Gaunt 7-0-21-2, Tedbury 2-0-8-1.
Guinness 38 NOT OUT, Gilbert 10, Gaunt 29, Young 0, Finnis 3, Reider 9, Husemeyer 0, Baker 0, Tedbury 2 n.o., Chandler 3.

With the mercury pushing 28c the decision to bat proved a popular choice. Guinness and Caley started proceedings in a fine fashion, building a commanding opening partnership. Tedbury D, strode to the wicket with the look of a man on a mission. A splendid knock ensued, helped mostly by Enever, Husemeyer and Finnis and hindered by Gilbert. Oasby finished on a historic total of 246 with the top scorers from last week not needed to bat.

Chandler opened the bowling with a new lucky heather sprig in his jock strap. This proved an inspired choice. Chandlers previous poor luck was transformed. Catches stuck and stumps were hit. Chances that in Chandlers poorer days would have dropped to Tedbury M. fell to Finnis. Well caught. Enever bowled beautifully, Tedbury D. could do no wrong. He left that to others of the Tedders clan. He took a five for for five runs, the second Tedbury five for of the season to date. Don't say that last sentence out loud.

With the game won, skipper Caley gave the opposition a glimmer of hope. Finnis erred from his metronomic best and bowled a few wides for the Spalding lads to chase. Young was transformed. Ball pitched on a length with regularity. Had Dennis the Menace had a head transplant. Golly gosh lordy lumby by jove he just might have got the message. Gilbert tweaked a few, got carted but finally wrapped up the innings.

After his batting we thought that young Tedbury's head could get no bigger, his father said it was medically impossible. We were all wrong. It did. He also became friends with Young. We knew he would. We waited for him to buy a round of drinks, we waited. His Dad found us a pub on the way home after failing in this regard last season. He purchased beverages for the thirsty warriors. We cheered. Abbot 8/10. Mowbray mash 7/10. Splendid.

Guinness 31;Caley 35;Tedbury.D 71 no;Husemeyer 11;Gilbert 7;Enever 34; Finnis 10 no.

Chandler 4-1-9-2;Enever 4-1-4-2;Tedbury.D 4-1-5-5;Finnis 3-0-14-0;Young 2-0-7-0;Gilbert 2-0-16-1.

Oasby v Scopwick at RAF Digby, Sunday 16th May 2010, Oasby won by 33 runs; Oasby 206 all out after 38 overs, Scopwick 173 all out

Epic victories you wanted and an epic victory you shall have.
The new Oasby arrived at Scopwick under a leaden cloud predicting rain. It did not happen. The new youthful captain twinkle toed out to the middle – to inspect the Astroturf with the opposition captain – won the toss and decided to bat. The Astroturf was pronounced “green”.
A cheerful start was made with a crisp 4 by Guinness, more followed. Hyland was immediately injured, required a runner and got worse from there on.Gilbert and Finnis made careful contributions and a big score looked likely. It could have been even bigger if Gaunt had consumed less amphetamine and restricted his ambition to shots likely to land within the county. The youthful captain took his responsibilities seriously and surprised himself with his highest score for Oasby. As did Baker. Tedbury felt it unnecessary to use his bat so did not trouble the scorer; the cunning plan being to allow multiple lusty blows from the soon to be injured Chandler 70 runs were scored in the last 8 overs. Clamp enjoyed himself greatly with several risible shots which nevertheless scored runs.
Inspection of the bowling line up revealed some new skilful members who clearly would skittle out the opposition in no time. It was not to be. Edges flew to the boundary. Edges went nowhere near a fielder. Wickets did not tumble. Finnis remembered the slower ball – it worked. Young remembered the middle of the pitch and hit it frequently – many runs were scored. Chandler continued his meanness from last season but tragedy would prevent him bowling out his overs. Shot from the boundary by a sniper he failed to move when offered a catch. Pain was the excuse. At 20 overs, Scopwick were up with their requirement at 100 for 5. Doom and gloom prevailed; a conference was convened. A hung parliament was rejected. Slow bowling was required. The deceptive guile of Tedbury called for with the obvious guile of Gilbert in support. The runs dried up. Wickets fell. Catches were taken. Glee returned. Sadly Tedbury could not hold on to the hat trick catch that was offered first to himself then to Chandler when he chested the ball to him. However by now Scopwick were a spent force. In an effort to make them feel better Young brought himself back on to bowl slowly – they did feel better and despatched him for 23 runs in two overs. The mopping up was completed by Gaunt fiercely tweaking the ball onto the stumps of number 11 and joy was unconfined. A good performance all round with contributions from all. What a start to the season. Can it continue? Did I mention the ex-captain?

Beer at Scopwick – acceptable - 7/10 – several different beers on offer; why did they all taste the same?

Guinness 31, Hyland 4, Gaunt 21, Gilbert 21, Finnis 21, Heaver 0, Young 36, Baker 4, Tedbury 0, Chandler 30 NOT OUT, Clamp 2
Chandler 5-1-17-0, Young 6-0-43-1, Gaunt 7-2-43-2, Finnis 5-0-15-1, Gilbert 8-0-26-1, Tedbury 8-3-19-5