Time is moving on and we have now reached what would have been Game Day 6, which is the Bank Holiday week-end. Game Day 6 would have seen us in action against Barrow and Ashley. It is undoubtedly the fixtures against our neighbouring clubs that I am missing most, and the game against Barrow is always competitive and played in the right spirit. No action for us to report on so far in 2020, but there is a pinprick of light at the end of the tunnel with HMG acceptance of cricket nets being acceptable as a suitably socially-distanced form of exercise. Some members have already started to practise again which is very good to see. News of the net practice procedures and the rest of the current cricketing items of interest can be found on further below in this the newsletter. Here, we’ll continue with a browse through some exciting May matches of the past.
1st XI v Ashton-on-Mersey May 2001
On GD6 of the 2001 season we were away to a club appearing for the first time in our fixture card.
The hosts won the toss and took first knock on their picturesque ground ’The Beets’ that nestles into an elbow of the River Mersey. Club stalwart Matt Macgibbon did something highly praiseworthy and very unusual for the home club by carrying his bat throughout the innings, watching all 10 wickets fall at the other end. He finished with 65* out of a total of 95. Well played sir. The Swans bowlers sharing wickets that day were Greg Malkin (2) Matt Parkinson (2) and Dave Hill (1). Chief architect of the hosts down-fall was the affable Aussie Eric Godwood with 5-19.
Obviously, we now all like Australians having watched Amazon Prime’s The Test, which is essential lockdown viewing. However, we really liked Eric back in the day and he had a great impact during his time with us.
After tea, there were one or two wobbles but the to-tal was eventually chased down for 4, with near 20 scores from yours truly, Eric, Dave, and Ian Rule. The last two named batsmen were unbroken at the end in a stand of 40 that clinched the points.
By the end of the season the Aston-on-Mersey men would have seen enough of Eric as he rattled through the top order in the return game with an even more impressive return of 4.1-2-4-6, making 11-23 in the season.
This was indeed quite a season as we were 2nd XI and aggregate champions that year
1st XI v Tattenhall May 2018
Two years ago we had a great win at The Flacca. Josh M-J asked the hosts to bat first and they racked up an impressive score of 237-8. Great bowling efforts from Shavaiz with 5 wickets and Kiwi Josh with 3 gave us a glimmer of hope of the win.
After tea, the chase hit choppy waters at 34-4. At this point Atif Bajwa forged an alliance with Zain Abidin. Zain provided the essential support with 56* while Atif played a quite remarkable innings that will stay long in the memory of those lucky enough to witness it. He is a superb timer of a cricket ball, striking the ball very cleanly with fast hand-speed. He is a classy and powerful player. He scored 142* off 117 balls that day, with 15 fours and four sixes. Atif’s 142* is the second-highest 1stXI innings in the club record book. The unbroken 5th wicket partnership of 204 between Atif and Zain is a club record. Well played Swans– a great win.
The Power of nature
Friday’s winds were highly unusual in their ferocity. Trees in full leaf are easily damaged, and so it proved when large branches of a tree were blown into the next door field. Can you identify it? Also, think long and hard before fielding at the football end– you may have some little friends to contend with.
2nd XI host davenham May 1995
The 2ndXI entertained Davenham 25 years ago. It was a wet May that year and the club had no covers as yet. Sticky wickets were commonplace and most club bowling records come from the 80’s and 90’s. On this day the men from Butcher’s Stile were asked to bat and were all out for 93. there was a wicket apiece for Dennis Reeves, Neil Glover, Bob Lewis and Bob Ellis. However, destroyer in chief that day was the original Silver Fox, club legend Gordon Price. Gordon made his debut in the 1947 team. Here, 48 seasons later, he bowled his spin with extreme cunning and control to finish with an analysis of 8-1-16-6. Eight victims were caught and the catchers make an interesting list: 3 for Neil Glover, 2 for Dennis Reeves and 1 for Bob Lewis. Did these bowlers not trust anyone else? Catches for Derek Bell and Andy Miln completes the list of those who snapped up the chances.
It was not a run-fest after tea but the Swans made controlled progress towards the target with 20’s from Bob Ellis and Andy Miln. It is always good to see fathers and sons enjoying cricket together and, on this occasion, Neil Reeves 22* and Dennis 10* were there at the end to see us home at 94-4 and a 6 wicket win.
Look back to last year
Going back in time to the 2019 season, on the corresponding weekend we were at home to Frodsham in our first-ever game against the Moor Lane men. The 2nd XI were just moving into top gear at this point in the season. When asked to bat first on Terry Dandy’s flat pitch, the Swans did not need asking twice. Rob McNally 21, Harry Morris 33, and Joe Layder 34* all provided valuable support to the afternoon’s main contributor, Russell Crowley. The Baggies supporting veteran displayed a wide range of
shots in scoring an admirable 102. After tea a miserly and accurate bowling attack wrapped up the visitors innings for 78, leggie Dave Phillips (netting yesterday– keen) finishing with a bamboozling 3-9.
You can see Russ pictured below in Matt Jones’ (man with the Canon) excellent photo. Young Swans please note:
- High left elbow;
- Hole in the arms (shape of a number 9)
- Follow through int he direction of the shot
- Good weight transference
- Eyes over the front knee
- Great balance, not over-hitting, top hand in control. Great technique Russ
Staying alert – massive thanks to the County Board staff who are keeping us informed
This week’s ECB update is a Bank Holiday edition with lots of excellent content.
Together Through This Test is a nationwide campaign shining a light on the work undertaken by the game in response to COVID-19 and highlighting new resources available to the public.
The link below gives full details of the campaign, including links to an emotive (and very good) video narrated by Stephen Fry, and plenty of lockdown games and activities for children that can be played in small spaces.
www.ecb.co.uk/video/1670476/the-wait
This week’s other ECB email has lots of relevant information…
- ‘Together Through This Test’
- FAQ’s for safe outdoor practice
- Managing vacant buildings and operating safely
- COVID-19 support from Natwest
See www.ecb-comms.co.uk/1FT6-6VODJ-D6SSQJ4NB2/cr.aspx
Meanwhile, cricket net practice has begun again at Little Heath.
Full details can be found here:
Resumption of recreational cricket practice
Everyone is welcome to practise but please read all of the information thoroughly. The safety of everyone is our overriding priority.
And finally…
Last week I asked you to name the bowlers in 2nd and 4th position on this list. Here they are, together with all 2nd XI 9-for or 8-for’s. The players below should be proud of their outstanding performances.
…this weeks poser
Since 1978 we have been playing league cricket in Cheshire. Name the 3 clubs we have played most 1st and 2nd team games against.
1st with 120 fixtures is ………………………
2nd with 108 fixtures is …………………….
3rd with 98 fixtures is ………………………
Take care and stay safe everyone