The fixture brought up Nick Ridgway’s 300th apperance for Ploughmans CC. Club chairman Si Carson marked the occasion with a rousing pre-game speech, in which he highlighted Nick’s immense contribution to the club that we know and love today. And what an enourmous input it has been!

Noodle was appointed an Honourary Life Vice President of the club at last year’s AGM. His nomination was approved en masse by the membership, a mark of the esteem he is held in by his peers. To the uninitiated this marks the highest recognition an individual’s service to the club can receive. Further accolades include having won the 2003 Most Improved Player of the Year award, being a two time Ploughman of the Year, and holding the club record for Fielder of the Year awards with four consecutive triumphs from 2004-2007. He also captained the First XI from 2011-2013. Whilst playing apperances have become somewhat less frequent in recent years, Nick has continued to support the club as a frequent tour member and, until recently, the club’s long term treasurer.

With such a glorious lifetime of service behind him, it was apropos that Noodle should captain the Ploughmans team taking on Chris Butlin’s ragtag collection of data managment consultants. Ploughmans batted first and were instantly under pressure as QR Excel(led) in the field. But fortunately an 88 run partnership put together by Duray Pretorius and Nicko Dowell dragged Ploughmans from 63-4 to 151-4 in just over 10 overs time. Duray would go on to make 67 runs off 44 balls before getting trapped in front of the stumps. Other notable contributions included 28 from Nicko and a gutsy 23 from Nick Ridgway (suprise suprise) whilst opening the batting. Despite the eye-catching number of sixes in Duray’s innings (six in total), the shot of the day has to go to Noodle for a gorgeous on-drive he leant on for four in the 8th over of the innings.

Ploughmans ended up seeking to defend a total of 179 in 35 overs. Not loads, but around par we reckoned. Giordy then proceeded to force an early breakthrough by tempting the QR opener to spoon a catch to none other than Nick Ridgway for his 153rd catch for the club. And when a further wicket from Sam Howes brought QR captain Chris Butlin to the crease with the score at 50-2 off 14 overs, Ploughmans looked like possible winners. Unfortunately, this turned out to be the high-water mark of the bowling innings as Chris and QR’s opening bat negotiated the ensuing chase with great maturity. Up until the 26th over that is…

IT has never been this author’s strongsuit, having only recently discovered what “The Cloud” is. But it can only be to this mythical “Cloud" where Butlin tried to send a flighted off-break from 1st team captain Duray Pretorious. Had he made contact, the ball might just be re-entering the Earth’s atmosphere now. As it was, however, he was left to ruefully survey the wreckage of his stumps whilst copping a mighty send-off from his mates.

In the end it made little difference as QR proceeded to knock off the remaining runs with six wickets in hand and two overs to spare. Ultimately the result was inconsequential. Today was all about one man. It was an honour for all of us to play with someone who can only be described as an absolute legend of the club in their 300th game. Plough On!

Match report from Fred Gumpert