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ISIS CRICKET CLUB 2008 Ground: Queens College, Abingdon Road, Oxford |
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Last Update: 13/10/2008 © Keith Whiter, April 2003 k.whiter@elsevier.com |
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2007 AGM - Captain’s report (Nick Wyatt) |
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Despite spells of awful weather, the 2007 season has been a highly productive one for Isis. We concluded the summer with one or two disappointing losses, yet with a record of 24 wins and only 17 defeats, resulting from some really good aggressive cricket, we can be very pleased with our collective efforts. It has been a pleasure to captain the side. I consider myself to be learning all the time. I have always loved the game, and understand it fairly well. Captaining a large friendly side such as ours brings its own challenges though; whereby the pleasures by far outweigh the strains! At Isis you can always guarantee that you have the backing of your colleagues, and that we all always put in our best efforts, and most importantly we never fail to enjoy ourselves. These qualities remain at the forefront of the goals of the club, along with an area of great success this season - inclusion. I hope that all players feel that when they turn up to a game every effort is being made to involve everyone in the proceedings - for this is essential to the very concept of ‘friendly’ cricket. There are a number of people who have made my debutant season as captain a much easier task. · Paul Jacobs has once again proven himself to be a fine club man. Jakey is always first to volunteer himself when it comes to picking teams, sorting teas, offering discreet advice, looking after the kit etc etc. I was delighted that he had the honour of lifting the Friendly Cup, as he has given a lot to the club this year, and over recent seasons. · Injury has somewhat thwarted Lester‘s first season as vice-captain. As a result, I have not played a huge number of games with him. He is however, a fine batsman, a true gentleman, calm and collected on and off the pitch, and was an inspiration to all on tour! · As the club’s most recent captain, and a great friend, Olly Walter has also been a fine source of inspiration - on and off the pitch. He understands the game better than most, is a wealth of knowledge about local players, holds the batting together on regular occasion, and always offers key advice at crucial times. · It has been a great pleasure to play so many games with Keith Ponsford this season. After some frustrating injuries in recent years KP will be delighted to see his name in the top four when it comes to appearances and bowling scalps. Having him back on the pitch undoubtedly means that Isis improves no end when it comes to bowling, catching, umpiring and most importantly socialising! Keith never fails to selflessly give up his free-time to have a pint or two with opposition players after a game. On a serious note - there will probably never be a finer ambassador for the good name of the club. · Keith Whiter is also a man at the very heart of developing and maintaining the great standards and traditions that Isis now sets itself. Our website is truly precious to the club. It attracts new players, fantastic opposition, stores endless amounts of detailed data and keeps Joe and I awake at work on a daily basis. It takes a lot of time and effort to maintain - and for this, IRELAND, and for another fantastic array of fixtures, we are all hugely thankful. · Talking of Ireland; a huge thanks to Dave Penhallurick and Fiona for their wonderful hospitality. Beer, Test Match, Pool table and fab food saw us end our tour weekend in style. I was as disappointed as anyone (except maybe Dave himself) that bad weather coincided with just about every day he was in England this summer! We look forward to seeing him regain his top individual score mantle next summer! · Pete Wiblin has once again successfully navigated the demons that encroach upon the riches that a treasurer aims to bestow upon his club. He has engaged with the student factor, the ‘I’m only 17 crowd’, the ‘I’m between jobs whilst I rest from Uni’ mob, those who forget their money, the monsoon season, and he whose dog ate it only that morning, to once again bring Isis through a season in considerable financial strength. We even somehow managed to get him to part with a healthy some of cash to buy new kit! Peter, as ever, your efforts as a treasurer, your headband, your reverse sweep and your patience when denied the opportunity to bowl are all of paramount importance to making Isis what it is today. · Many thanks also go to Ray Cherry and Kevin Game. Although rarely seen on the pitch nowadays their work, allegiance to the club and roles as committee members are of great significance to Isis Cricket Club.
I referred earlier to a ‘collective effort’, with many players making vital contributions during the season. There is, however, no doubt that the addition of a particularly strong all-rounder this year has had its impact on a game or two. Despite his weaknesses - throwing at the stumps, buying the skipper a pint - Richard Stephenson has been a fantastic asset to the club. His back-to-back 150s were magnificently executed - a real pleasure to watch. Both games against Wayfarers also showed that Rich can adapt really well to the pressures and varying bowling speeds (guile over pace) that friendly cricket has to offer. His innings against Journeymen, at the SSJ Arena, was one of the scratchiest ‘81 off about 50 balls’ that we will have experienced! Even when still p**sed from the night before, Rich can make batting look effortless at times!
Other successes in the ‘new/nearly new/revived’ category have also shown much promise. · After a prolonged break from playing for Isis, Richard Stoneman made a much-awaited return to the club this season, looking fitter than ever. ‘The Gazelle’ grew in confidence as the season progressed, and despite the odd business trip, and having to be glued back together at times, it was a pleasure to play alongside Richard - and to get to know him better. No finer opportunity to do this would come along than the adventure a dozen or so of us shared in Ireland! With Wib navigating in his airline captain’s suit, Harry grunting obscenities from the boot, Lester giggling like a lady and crossing his legs for dear -life, and me and Olly chortling away in the midst of it all, Richard could have been forgiven if he’d have dropped us all off at the services around Birmingham! His sense of humour prevailed though, even when we convinced him to spend an extra night in Dublin so that we could enjoy the nightlife. “Over the effing Liffey,” is all I can say Richard - oh, and, mind the speed humps mate. On the pitch, his partnership with Richard Stephenson - at Wayfarers - was the defining moment of his season. Both dug deep for a famous win. · Roy Blatchford (and son Luke) has also been a very welcome addition to the side. A gentleman off the pitch and a promising all-rounder on it, Roy has a great deal to offer. A fine innings of 32 capped his debut season, when breaking the 8th wicket partnership with another fine Isis all-rounder. · Azam Nazir has shown moments of brilliance with the ball this season. Given time his line will improve, to compliment the swing and length that he often delivers! Azam is also a keen batsmen - with one or two fine displays seeing him fight his way up the order. · Simon Godby has the potential to be very good with both bat and ball. A bowling economy of 3.47 and a batting average in double figures indicate that time in the middle will see Simon flourish into an Isis great! Of the Isis regulars, all have had their moments this season! Testament to the quality of Olly‘s cricket is the fact that over 750 runs, 5 50s and 16 catches reflects an ‘ok’ season. Figures that most of us would jump at, represent a summer of digging deep on difficult pitches and staring forlornly at the weather forecast! After only 8 seasons at the club Olly is already an Isis legend. Next come two gentlemen who are a pleasure to watch at the crease - Wib and Lester. Lester bats with grace and versatility - his brilliant 88 was testament to this - and is a huge asset in the field, whilst Wib never fails to entertain - his 54 against Journeymen was pivotal to a highly competitive match, and a haul of 3-12 show that he should bowl more often! The depth of talents has never been more evident than this summer. 280 runs from Nelly, Jakey‘s outstanding 50 (at the Kempsford Quagmire Arena) and 10 stumpings, Jack‘s fabulous 84 at Ipsden in the cup, Joe‘s amazing one-handed catch in the same game, Harry’s battling P.B. score at Charlton-On-Otmoor, Brendan’s 21 wickets, Jonathan’s all-round brilliance and Richie’s catch at Charlton, all contributed to an amazing summer of cricket.
· First win of season vs. Aston. Captained well, saving myself and KW until the end. · Finally beating Wayfarers early in the season. Pegged back a swift Wayfarers opening, to hold them to a reasonable score. Richard majestic 108 (went on to score 11 fours in a row against hospitals - first 44 runs). · Tour - wow. Loved the Guinness, the Mike, the journey - hated the pitch! · Richard vs. Phil - Wytham 20-20. · Beating Enstone. Team dug really deep. · Defeat at the hands of Wytham in 40-Over match. Fielded poorly, top 3 batted brilliantly. 161-2 to 178 all out!!! · Winning cup game at Ipsden. Jack batted brilliantly. Competitive, but satisfying! · Appleton away. Great battle, but evidence that we need to ‘think’ cricket more as a team. · 6-a-side - brilliantly organised by KW as usual. · 15/7 beating Wayfarers again! · RAIN · Pacific. Last ball win. Lester batted extremely well. Water on 3 sides of the ground (surreal). · Haysley. Weak side. Made a mockery of 10-over ‘thrash’ (us 60, them 26-1?) · 4/5 August Dale’s big weekend! 5-25. Wyatt and Blatchford 79 to beat KP XI. · 11 Aug = 9 ducks! · 12 Aug = Jonners blowing away Hospitals! · 18 Aug = Mud, mud, glorious mud. Jakey hits an aggressive 50 in the mud. Olly gets his 3rd in a row! · Wootton - bloody weather. Chelsea cheated! · Appleton 20/20 - Lost by two runs again - aaagh!! · Charlton - effin ate batting!!!!!!!!!!! · Ipsden - Thrashed. Beer and great memories though - what more can a chap ask for!
October 13th Curry, sweat, beer, flatulence, chasers, winter blues………but it’ll soon be spring! |