Bramshaw 14 August 2024

Captain Ed Phillips

Won by 7 Wickets

Bramshaw 181 all out (Zac Wilton 3 for 30)

SOA 183 for 3 (Ethan Davie 60*, Ed Phillips 40)

There was a worrying moment on day two of the Western tour when Sidmouth announced they were unable to raise a side for our very long-standing fixture against them on their stunning ground. This was followed by confirmation from our hosts that they had secured Bramshaw, a touring cricket club from the New Forest, as alternative opposition.

Arriving at Sidmouth’s stunning ground, after a competitive round of crazy golf, we were greeted by a very useful and lean looking Bramshaw team. Our concerns were subsequently allayed though, as judging by the extent of the bags under  our opponents’ eyes and the enthusiasm of most of their squad to be 12th or 13th man rather than play, it was clear that they had been on tour to for longer than we had…

Bramshaw won the toss and decided to bat. Their novel request was that for every new batsman had to play first ball “spin the wheel”, the results of which varied both in the level of amusement shared and time taken as the endings progressed. Sam Hicks and Zac Wilton opened up for SOA taking two and three wickets respectively. Ed Wildman and Ben Jefferies stepped up to the plate next taking two and one wicket respectively. In an unusual SOA occurrence every bowler took at least one wicket, Colin Allen and Ethan Davie completing the set. The novelty of “spinning the wheel” wore off somewhat in the latter part of the innings, some of our opponents having to take a guard behind the stumps or spin round on the end of their bat five times before taking guard. The last Bramshaw wicket fell after 33 overs for 181.

Captain Pres quietly mentioned to Alex Wildman that they hadn’t spent much time at the crease together that season and dutifully invited him to open with him. The president hit the first ball for four, then taking a quick single to allow Alex to be bowled for a golden duck. A classy 40 from the Pres was supported with a 60 not out from Alex Basford and 30s not out from Shiraz and Ethan . A comfortable win  for SOA in the 28th for the loss of three wickets.

 Beers were enjoyed in the company of our host chairmen from Sidmouth and the by now recovered and wholly enthusiastic and thirsty Bramshaw tourists who proved excellent company. Sometime later the tourists retired to the Marine for an excellent dinner, accompanied by Ethan’s storytelling which managed to combined the delights of Johnny Morris’ Animal Magic with the aggression of UFC cage fighting. Our gratitude to the familiar faces of Gary Panons and Bob Belcher for umpiring and the delightful faces of Russell and Sue Hayes for scoring. The chairman of Sidmouth assured us that we would be playing the home side on our return next year…