As the weather has declined for the first time in
weeks, it can only mean that this should have been the Saturday that would
usually have seen in the start of the cricket season. In these strange times
the first half of our season has been cancelled, so I thought I would look back
on previous years opening encounters, to kill some time for me and hopefully
find some entertaining memories for you too. I won’t share every game but
instead pick my favorite highlights.
21 April 2007
The first full scorecard from opening weekend on
PlayCricket sees the first team at home to Mexborough in Div 2. Batting first
it also sees our first century of the blog already, opening up Si Mintoft
carried his bat for 108 to help take the total to 201. Simmo in at the end
scoring 19 off 26 balls, which must be a strike rate record for him!
In reply Mexborough fell short despite an innings of of
73 from Scott Hibbett who we would face on many more occasions in the future
(he was the first person to call me Harry Potter despite me not actually
wearing glasses at that point, so I have
no idea what he was referring to). Anyway he was eventually expelliarmussed as
he found himself run out by Beejal in an unprecedented piece of bad luck. Nick
Horsfield starred with the ball taking 4–27. The last 3 wickets of the match
were all LBW in a classic “umpire getting a bit cold” conclusion.
A fine start to the 2007 season for CACC.
19 April 2008
2008 saw a more familiar start to a season with the
firsts at home to Rotherham Town. In typical captain Lockwood fashion in what I
assume were bowler friendly conditions, CACC won the toss, batted and were duly
rolled out for 63. Milly’s 26 comfortably the top score, and obviously we lost
so I will move on swiftly.
18 April 2009
First game of the season centuries not all that
uncommon it turns out as Lockwood hits an unbeaten 115 to successfully chase
down Warmsworth’s 210 which I reckon they would have been feeling pretty happy
with at tea. The game also had 4 wickets for Mark Pearson on debut for CACC
(possibly).
2009 also sees the first opening game scorecard on
PlayCricket for the 2nds, and it was a double win weekend as we successfully
defended 174. Paul Sweet square cut 56 in a good opening stand with Phil “The
Bastard” Cookson, before 30s from Bob Buckle and Kev Hooper down the order
finished the job. The innings also includes Grant being ran out, which I can
only assume was hilarious.
18 April 2015
The years following 2009 don’t make great reading for
opening day CACC results, but 2015 sees the first 3rd team entry and a win in
typically difficult fashion against Youlgrave Lodge. Set with a target of 117
following 3 wickets each for Grant and A Wood (chair), CACC made it home 7
wickets down in 40 overs, Grant steering the ship with 43. The game sees an
early indication of things to come with the Hall family, with Scott and Jack
both ran out!
22 April 2017
2017 saw a romping start to the 2nds season, posting
234 away at Norton Oakes. After an experienced opening partnership from Dave
“Old Man” Furniss and Hex, Rich Timms led the way with an innings of 80
including 9 boundaries and 3 maximums. A valiant effort of 179/9 in reply by
Oakes but to no avail with Gramps stealing 3 wickets, and even a wicket for
Locky , who was captain by the way, just in case anyone was wondering how
he got a bowl.
20 April 2019
Not all that long ago of course but worth including I
thought, and so nearly another opening day hundred to report as Dan finishes
97no in a total of 219 against Thorpe Hesley. Eliot took full advantage of
taking over the captaincy by opening the batting with himself and getting a
well-earned 58 to silence the doubters. TH were bowled out for 156 with Gramps
stealing 4 more wickets.
Quite the opposite took place in the second team as
Roey took advantage of taking over the captaincy by batting himself at number
11 against Maltby. Having collapsed to 51–9 the skipper’s 49* took CACC to a
more respectable 121–9. The last wicket stand took place with Kevon at the
other end, facing 96 balls for his 16*. I say respectable but we were chasing
169 so in the end it was all in vain.
Well if you have made it this far then thanks for
reading. It quickly became clear that it was more fun writing about games that
we have won, so if people liked it and want me to carry on, then that’s what
I’ll be doing. Please feel free to chip in with any memories you may have from
these games or other opening weekend matches!
CT
CACC
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