This was a game that saw so many peaks and troughs, starting all the way from the build up at the start of the week. A midweek cancellation from the original oppo meant the legend that is Leon Parks, had to once again work his magic to ensure that this handsome XI could still get some cricket. With the original fixture due to be played on an Astro pitch with no teas, the whatsapp group were ecstatic to hear the news that we now had a grass wicket and more importantly, teas.

Unfortunately the selection committee then suffered another headache on Thursday, with a member of the side no longer available. I was quickly able to help them out, getting a close mate from work to fill in on short notice, after I’d been trying to get him to get involved at the plough for the past few months with no success. Welcome to the Plough, Ben Walters. With these challenges now all resolved, the excitement was kicking in for us all.

Saturday came around and we made the familiar away day journey into Surrey, with members from all 3 Plough sides taking over the South Western rail. Another drop out on the day due to illness meant that we were back down to having just 10 players, an early challenge for our skipper for the day, Elmo.

Elmo contacted the oppo and fortunately they were very nice blokes and were happy for us to use one of theirs as an 11th fielder, and would allow for one of ours to bat again if needed. I’m not sure if this has ever happened in a plough game before but this was a very interesting speculation for many reasons. How will we decide who gets to bat again? What will this mean for fantasy points? Luckily we didn’t actually reach this position, as it may have actually ended up in a royal rumble between the top order to get another go in the middle.

The ground and the pitch looked nice, and the boundaries down the ground appeared a relatively big distance. Chat was going around before the game that it might be tough to find the ropes and a lot of 2s could be required. We later discovered that this was very far from the truth. We were kindly greeted by several members of Alts CC, who instantly set the impression that they were a nice group of lads. A few members of their side were still stuck in traffic and an open discussion between them and Elmo meant that no toss was required, the Plough will bat first.

Vibes were immaculate from ball one, Elmo scoring in his Plough bucket hat, myself utilising the oppo’s Bluetooth speaker to get some boundary music blasting around the ground.

A well balanced batting order started with Yanni Baveas taking on his usual role at the top of the order, with Harry Bray joining him.

A big appeal went up in the second over, after a big clip off Harry’s pad went through to the keeper whilst still yet to score. The finger went up from Niraj and the northern man at the crease was in complete disbelief at the decision from his team mate. What we saw next, was possibly the first ever successful use of DRS without the use of technology, as the oppo in the field could all agree that Niraj got this one very wrong and allowed the decision to be overturned. The next ball was edged for four and maybe they instantly regretted being such a good sport. However fortune swung back in their favour and the following ball saw Harry bowled and there was no overturning this one.

Ean Smith stepped out to the crease and begun to build a solid partnership with Baveas, runs were ticking nicely for them both before Ean found himself caught on 15.

The next man in was a very exciting Plough debutant. I’d seen a few messages going around the chats that it is not safe to be turning around whilst this guy bats in the nets, as he hits the ball very hard. It didn’t take long to see that these precautions were very much serious, as Nealon AKA Champion Boss took no prisoners and just instantly started sending every other delivery out of the park.

The onslaught didn’t end any time soon as he got himself to 50 in just 19 balls. He showed no signs of slowing this down and just a few overs later, the champion boss completed the dream start to life as a ploughman, scoring a debut ton from just 40 balls. A ridiculous display of power hitting, making what we thought were big boundaries look like they were the size of a toddlers paddling pool. Chatting with the oppo after the game, I was told that the 11 year old they had in the field was actually forced by his dad to come off and leave them with 10 for a bit as he was genuinely concerned for his safety whilst Nealon was hitting the ball that hard. I’m not even making this up.

But this wasn’t the only impressive performance with the bat. Yanni Baveas continued in the middle, looking as comfortable as he ever has. With the losses of both Nealon and Theo, I had the honour of joining him at the crease with Yanni currently on 48. He hits the ball down towards fine leg, with fielders having to make a fair bit of ground to get to it. I scream at him for 2 and it’s absolute ecstasy for Baveas as he gets his first 50 for the Plough. I run over to give him a hug and the emotion on the man’s face is off the chart. No one deserves it more than this guy.

Ben Walters debuted well with the bat, adding a few more useful runs to the total alongside myself. Some great athleticism in the field meant that I was caught, whilst Ben unfortunately was the guy that managed to get out to an 11 year old. Don’t worry I have already let the whole office know about this. Skipper Elmo showed some class to add a few more with Giordy and we finished on a very strong total of 237-7 from 35 overs.

We came in for tea, which included a very interesting beverage option of some homebrewed elderflower cordial, which tasted as good as it sounds.

Plough took to the field and the oppo had told us before the game that they did have one gun bat playing for them as a ringer, but not too much else to offer from the rest of their batting.

Giordy and Niraj opened up strong, with Niraj taking 2 wickets in his first over and then Giordy taking one soon after, putting Alts straight onto the back foot on 12-3.

The level of talent on this ringer was clear to see, but when a chance to catch him on just 5 went down, anyone that’s played a bit of cricket before would know exactly what would follow after this. A huge partnership between him and their number 5 swung the game the other way, and we found ourselves struggling to get a breakthrough.

The outfield was super quick and any ball that wasn’t on the spot just got punished. Champion boss also showed some promise with the ball in his spell, and when a big LBW appeal was turned down for him, the Alts bat finds himself running on his own and failing to make it back, thanks to a very impressive direct hit from Niraj. We finally had a breakthrough.

Nealon continued with the ball and for the second time in the game, the DRS came into play. The new Alts bat was triggered LBW for a delivery that so blatantly hit his bat first. So we offered the same spirit of cricket they gave to us and told the umpire to overturn it. But in similar fashion to the previous overturned decision, Nealon decided to just clatter the guys stumps from his next delivery.

With the ringer still at the crease, he unfortunately didn’t fancy getting out, and he got them home with just under 2 overs left, scoring a whopping 140 not out.

Not the result we expected after such an impressive batting performance, but a few mistakes in the field can always lose you a game. Result aside, it was a high scoring thriller and a fantastic day out against a great group of lads. Vibes were elite and the performances with the bat from Yanni and Champion Boss were simply incredible to watch.

Plough on x

Match report from Callum Daley