Eaton Bray Cricket Club

Posted on October 5, 2005

Another successful season for Eaton Bray Cricket Club, in very unusual circumstances. Going into the last round of matches Eaton Bray was second in the table, and the destination of the title was out of its hands, and reliant on the result of the then league leaders, New Bradwell. The last match ended early in an easy win for Eaton Bray, its 10th of the season. The drama from the New Bradwell match unfolded as Lester Piggott provided a running commentary from the tinny loudspeaker of his mobile phone. As ball-by-ball was counted-down, the excitement increased until it was mathematically certain the title was Eaton Bray's, for successive sessions.

The season was one of two halves. The first half was full of drawn games and the village team was as low as 6th position. In the second half, skipper, "Chopper" Harris won many tosses and was more able to control the outcome of the games and many wins resulted. The stars were the batsmen in the first hald and the bowlers in the second. The village had three of the league's top ten batsmen (Paul Harris, Andy Norris, James Flecknell) and three top ten bowlers (Andy Norris, James Flecknell and Michael Jarrett).

However the success of the season owed much to lesser but probably more important contributions of others; Bob Warner's innings agains Milton Keynes Village; village postman Colin Cambell bowled consistently well all season; Lawrence Bunker scored his first fifty for the club; Mick Flecknell played a quarter of a game but still pulled off a great one handed catch and regular wicket keeper Larry Ryan performed well with both the gloves and the bat.

The village club also runs three other teams, Saturday seconds, and Sunday and idweek elevens, where there were some fine performances. Barmy's hat-trick in the midweek cup final, Lewis Taylor's 67, Chairman Lee Beartons century, Ossie Osbourn's development as a wicket taking bowler, Jamie Windmill's catching (an example to all), Richard Piggott's performance on tour and Aaron Cottrell's nocturnal performances on tour!

It was a great season.

Source: Focus Magazine, October 2005