Following last weeks thumping at Hailsham, Pev welcomed back Plum and Pedro for their first home game of the season. With both Skippers still absent, Rob again took up the reins and again won the toss.  The strong bowling line up again took the field and Graeme and Nugget charged in with relish.  GC was first to strike as a ball that kept low pinned Mansell on the back foot and he was LBW for 1. Fellow opener Mashood attacked from the offset but both he and Skipper Isepp struggled against the Nugget and were very lucky to survive several thick edges against him. However, both counter attacked well when the opportunity arose and the pair brought up the 50 partnership in quick time. The fiery Nugget had to be withdrawn after tweaking a muscle and Rob came into the attack. Isepp survived two edges straight through first slip off Rob but in between struck him for a huge six over long on.  With their attacking mindset, the score reached 64-1 before Pev struck again.  The dangerous Isepp took on GC's short ball but could only top edge it and the Skipper clung on over his shoulder running back from mid on. With this wicket GC found a new leash of life and Mashood followed in GC's next over when he was cleaned up with no addition to the scoreboard. With both attacking batsmen gone, the runs began to dry up. This was all backed up by some of the best Pev ground fielding seen in recent years as players threw themselves around for the cause.  While Rob tied up one end, beating the bat regularly, wickets tumbled from the Railway End as GC maintained his pace and accuracy with stunning effect. Marshall (0), Foulds (5), and Dallaway (0) were all cleaned up, Sawyer (4) was held by Pedro for a regulation edge and T-Fisher (0) became Uphill's second smart slip catch in two weeks-this time a sharp low pick up.  At this point GC's figures had gone from 1-19 off 8 overs to 8-27 off 14! Eastbourne had slid from 64-1 to 84-8. GC was denied his chance for ten as a suicidal single to try and retain strike only led to Rob running out Widdows, and the very first ball of the next over, GC completed his 9fer when Lynch (18) edged to Pedro. This left GC with the amazing figures of 15.1-4-28-9, a new club record bowling performance! Eastbourne were all out for 92, losing 9 wickets for only 28 runs. However, with key batsmen still missing, Pev knew the game was far from over. The meaty duo of Plum and Gravy opened up and after a steady start found their rhythm as the score reached 44-0 in the 12 overs before tea, Plum leading the way with some hard hitting down the ground. Tea was an imaginarium of Doctor Corbishley as his extrovert personality tumbled into a feast of exotic delights. The particular highlights being home made soda bread and glazed doughnuts.  With key batsmen still missing, Pev knew the game was far from over. Plum began to open up his shoulders with some hefty straight hitting, before he was bowled by T-Fisher with one that nipped back. Uphill entered the fray and his twitchy style hardly eased the nerves, but he opened up with some splendid hitting, targeting mid-wicket as he heaved Isepp across the line. With the end in sight he danced down the wicket to put Mansell back over his head for six before sealing the match in style with another smite through cow.  Thirty points for Pev and an important first win of the season. Departing Skipper Rob couldn't have been happier as he stepped down from his temporary position at the helm and in between sobs was heard to say, "Thank the Lord for Graeme Corbishley. Just as well the captain didn't take him off as planned".

22/05/2010 v. Newhaven (a) Won by 5 Wickets Newhaven 134ao Pev 135-5

Uphill Struggle

On the first Sun basked day of the summer Pev made the journey to Newhaven. They welcomed back Skipper Jim Wallis to the side and also included two 1st XI debutants, Chris Dyer and Jon Holmes. Jim won the toss and invited Newhaven to bat. With the Nugget out injured, there was even more onus on last week's match-winner, the Grazer, and he didn't disappoint as his new ball spell saw him trim Gomm's (4) bail, clean up Barden (2) with a quick yorker, and pin Khan (5) LBW, as Newhaven stuttered to 55-3. While all this happened at the other end, Newhaven Skipper Tullett batted serenely as he waited for and punished the bad ball. He was almost solely responsible for Newhaven's runs in the early stages and brought up a class fifty, ironically with his only streaky shot - an inside edge to fine leg. However, the introduction of Holey and Archy dried up the runs as Drury in particular struggled with Archy's flight. Holey then claimed the prize scalp of Tullett (61) as he clung on to a sharp caught and bowled. He followed this up by having a second Tullett (5) caught behind by Pedro. Archy was unlucky not to put Drury out of his misery as a vociferous LBW shout was turned down and Archy spilt a tough caught and bowled This cost Pev some runs as he finally connected with some big hits. However, the Spanish Archer had his revenge as he managed to snaffle the easier caught and bowled and finally send Drury on his way for 29. Grazer was reintroduced and had the big-hitting Young caught with his first ball as he skied an optimistic big drive to mid-on where Rob made no mistake. Grazer then picked up his 17th wicket in 3 games as he proved too quick for Pryer (6). Rob then returned to the fray and cleaned up Pollard (9) and the third Tullett (2) to leave Newhaven all out for 134. After tea, the Skipper and Plum opened up and were quickly into their stride. With the Newhaven appealing particularly vocal, both batsmen "survived" 86 LBW appeals, but were still there to punish the bad ball. It was against the run of play when Jim (9) was first out, edging Pryer behind to the keeper and Plum (24) followed shortly in the same manner, perhaps a victim of his own humour. Despite having been on top for so long, when Gravy (6) top-edged a pull straight to fine leg Pev were 43 -3 and a little wobbly. However, with Chris "Stonewall" Dyer secure at one end, Uphill Dave took the attack to Newhaven with excellent effect. His attacking mindset and gay abandonment knocked the bowlers off their lines and lengths and he stroked the ball to all parts of the ground at a run a ball. He was unlucky to miss out on a fifty as a scorer miscount led to some impromptu applause, and perhaps this break in concentration cost him as on 46 a sweetly struck smote to leg only succeeded in picking out the cow corner fielder who took it well. Diggler was out very soon after for 0 as he chipped a caught and bowled back to Young, but by this stage Stonewall had found his range and a change of bat, contrary to the excitable Newhaven fan's opinion, proved more profitable as his final twenty runs came in only ten balls and along with Pedro he sealed the win with a brace of sweetly struck boundaries. The first being perhaps the shot of the day as a straight drive whistled past the bowler with fantastic timing. Another crucial thirty points secured and a great team effort. 

29/05/2010 v. St Peters (h) Won by 5 Wickets S.P. 104ao Pev 105-5

Spin It To Win It!

Cold, windy, wet, misty, dank, lank - nothing like cricket in May, as St. Peters provided decent but inexperienced opposition. The rain inevitably delayed the start, so an early tea left the players as slow as the outfield. After several thumbings of the league manual, a 41 vs 34 overs game was decided upon, and Pev followed their successful formula and bowled first. Holey crawled out of hibernation to open the bowling, taking 2 good wickets early on before retiring to his thermal underwears, and St. Peters never really got into their stride. A. Coomber at 3 looked to have big shots to play all day, but the right man for the pitch Martin "insert comedy nicknames here" Archer gutted the middle order with a debut 1st team 5-22, bowling with a controlled mixture of flight, loop, air, spin, grip, Bashful and Doc. Once again the fielding played it's part, with 8 catches being clutched to 16 bellies as Pev stuck to their soggy task, bowling St. Peters out for just 104 from 28.1 overs.

In reply the St. Peters bowlers moved the ball around corners, but Plumley and Temple had a miraculously mature approach, and when the right ball came, got on with the business. Their 49 for the first wicket in trying conditions took the wind out of the oppo's sails giving us the platform we needed. Temple went for 26, Plum for 41, and though a few more followed, Wallis stayed firm for 11*, and Hole, almost spherical in his thermals, saw us home by 5 wickets off 27.1 overs. So after 4 games, we're the only team to have taken all 40 wickets and are top of the league, but having played three of the bottom four, the big boys cricket starts now.

05/06/2010 v. Rye (a) Lost by 1 Wicket Pev 138ao Rye 139-9

12/06/2010 v. Willingdon (h) Lost by 83 Runs W'don 211-8 Pev 128ao

Don Like A Kipper

On the day England kicked off their World Cup Bid, Pev welcomed Willingdon to the Rec. The Dons were boosted by the availability of most of their hooligans who were unable to travel to South Africa having had had their passports seized in dawn raids the week before, while Pev were again missing their vice-skipper and Uphill. Jim won the toss and elected to bowl on a moist pitch, however, Graeme and Nugget opened up in a disappointing manner and the Dons openers cashed in. Garnett looked classy as he drove and pulled with time to spare and Trewin was his usual hard hitting self. The pair raced to without loss but a double change began to claw the game back as Holey and Rob's lesser pace proved more difficult to get away. Trewin (29) was first to fall as he drove holey to Plum and having waited so long for a wicket, the second came very quickly as Cleary edged his second ball to Gravy at slip for a duck. The third wicket should have fallen in the very next over but Graeme misjudged Garnett's mis-hit drive at mid-off. Fortunately, this didn't prove costly as having switched ends with the drop, Garnett (40) was out to the very next ball as the Nugget clung on to a top-edge swirler to give Holey his third wicket and reduce the Dons from 67-0 to 70-3. With the momentum changing and pressure building, D Lindop and Skipper Ashford had to consolidate. Their cause was helped by some dreadful Pev fielding and catching as the worst performance in the field so far this season threw away the pressure built by the bowlers. Lindop was dropped at least sixteen times as his anxiousness to be out in time for the football affected his concentration. Chris Dyer was introduced for his first over for the 1st Xi and it could have been his last as the ball pitched all over the place. However, he persevered and Ashford (31) was eventually clung on to by Gravy at slip and Lindop was finally put out of his misery as he finally middled a ball, straight to Gav in the covers for a hard-fought 33. Taff came and went for 10 as Rob was finally rewarded in his fourteenth over of beating the bat and like buses, the seond came quickly as Collins was stumped for a duck. Sharma hit some lusty blows before his Strictly audition saw him pinned LBW to give Rob his third. However, 211-8 declared was the highest total conceded this season and a stiff target. The Dons opened with the old ball and spin twins, Sharma and Craven. Plum opened his account with a straight six but was then bowled as he managed to drag on a leg side full toss with his pad! Gravy and Gav played some pleasing shots but seemed eager to race each other to a dismissal and both were dismissed by Craven with poor strokes to leave Pev 38-3. This went from bad to worse as the new ball was taken and star bowler, Duncan Ford came charging in. He bowled Chris Dyer with his very first ball for 1 and had Louis LBW next ball as Pev slipped further to 50-5. Jim batted serenely and looked untroubled as he reached 15 but was undone by a ball which skidded along the deck to bowl him. Pedro and Holey offered late resistance with a hard hitting partnership of 40 to at least take the score above 100, but Holey (23), GC (2) and the Nugget (0) fell in quick succession and Pedro, who battled valiantly for 38 (the second highest score of the game!), was last out as Pev crumpled to 128 and a heavy defeat.

19/06/2010 v. Plumpton & EC (a) Won by 3 Wickets Plumpton 164-7 Pev 165-7

Aaaaahhhhh, Gravy.

On a blustery day, Pev travelled to Plumpton anxious to end their run of defeats. With the Skipper a late withdrawal and Gravy a late addition, Plum stepped up to Captain and made his first good decision of the day by winning the toss. Graeme and the Nugget took the new ball and unlike previous weeks hit the ground, and unusually the actual pitch, running. On a pitch offering encouragement to bowlers bending their backs, Nugget struck in his first over as he cleaned up Plumpton Skipper Wycherley for a duck with a quick yorker. It took Graeme until his second over to strike as Brackpool edged behind and eventually departed for another duck. When the Nugget cleaned up Martin for the third duck of the innings Plumpton were 17-3. Martin number two played some classy strokes on his way to 41 with some particularly authorative and eye-pleasing pull shots. However, his strength was to be his downfall as a sharp GC bouncer was edged onto his helmet and looped to Uphill at gully, leaving Plumpton 45-4. With the fast men tiring, Holey and Rob took over the attack and were both beating the bat with absurd regularity. Sheldrick was somehow dropped by Gravy with the rest of the side already celebrating and Wells was dropped behind off a tough chance by Pedro and both made the most of this good fortune as they took the score to 105-4. Rob finally getting the breakthrough as Sheldrick played on for 26. However, this only seemed to spark Wells into life and he took 12 off Rob's next over with some excellent high elbow straight driving. GC was reintrouduced into the attack and cleaned up Newsome (11) and Batchelor (0), but Wells kept going and with some hard running at the end finished on a fine 62* as Plumpton finished 50 overs on 164-7, a recovery to be proud of. GC finishing with 4-54 and the Nugget 2-22 in his earlier fiery spell where he frequently beat the batsmen for pace. In a week where the benefit of teas has been called into question, the Plumpton banquet gained numerous votes for the Pro-tea party. With a variety of fresh and tasty sandwiches, optional lashings of horseradish and DIY scones, it was only a disappointment that the cricket had to start again! Plumpton opened with the old ball and two spinners and caused Uphill and Plum numerous problems. Neither could handle the pressure building up; Uphill was first to perish, slicing a drive off Ward for 0, and Plum soon followed, cleaned up by Edmunds for 5. Ward was particularly hard to play and can consider himself unlucky in claiming a solitary scalp. When Dyer (6) and Holmes (4) both fell to poor shots off Edmunds, Pev were 53-4 with only the much maligned Gravy left of the "batsmen". Pedro joined Gravy at the crease and slowly took the initiative back with some hard running and solid defence. As Gravy found his feet the occasional boundary was found but it wasn't until the new ball was taken and seam was introduced that a serious challenge was mounted. Freeman's first over went for 18 as he struggled to find a length and these three boundaries, including two fantastic pull shots, launched Gravy into his stride. He counter attacked with panache and he brought up his fifty with another boundary. He and Pedro put on 70 for the fifth wicket before the reintroduction of Ward brought about Pedro's dismissal as he edged to slip for a hard fought 23. With 42 still needed the match was poised but old hand Rod Hole steadied the ship with a run a ball 17, including the game's only six, a hard hit smash straight back over Ward's head, as another 20 runs were added. When Holey was cleaned up and Gravy soon followed for a 1^st XI best of 80 including fourteen fours, the side's first fifty of the season, nerves were frayed as another dozed runs were needed, however, GC and the Bull both heaved boundaries off Edmunds to seal the victory and the vuvuzelas could finally explode into life! A great game and a hard fought victory from a side not renowned for their ability to chase targets. The vuvuzela's would ring out down the A27 for victory!

26/06/2010 v. Crowborough (h) Lost by 54 Runs C'B 226-8 Pev 172ao

Pev Wilt As Crowborough Remain Cool In Sun

On the first super hot Saturday of the summer, Pev welcomed Crowborough to the Rec. Pev were without Captain and Vice as well as the Hole, who was making his annual pilgrimage abroad, compulsory for members of the extended Royal family. Acting Skipper Plum won the toss and as per usual opted to bowl - a popular choice, for the batsmen! GC and the Nugget opened strongly though and GC drew first blood when Roxburgh (1) edged behind. Skinner and Millman consolidated and then began to attack as the bowlers tired in the heat and loose balls were offered. With the Skipper reluctant to defend, the batsmen dealt mainly in dots or boundaries and allowed the fielders to do the running (fetching). The pair put on 98 before Millman was LBW to Archy as he played back to a straight one for 40. Skinner reached his fifty and looked set to have smashed Archy out the attack before he was bowled attempting another big hit for 62. With Crowborough 119-3 the match was poised, however Turner and Easton turned it Crowborough's way with a string of hard hit blows. Turner looked to hit straight, whereas Easton looked to heave everything over leg. With the pitch offering nothing to the bowlers both men trusted their eyes and their bottom hands and it paid off. They took the score to 167 before Turner (26) fell LBW to GC and Easton (36) was less traditionally pinned LBW by Rob as he unsuccessfully tried to reverse sweep. When Callingham (9) was cleaned up by GC Crowborough had slipped to 187-6 and Pev scented a lower total than feared. However, quick contributions from all the Crowborough lower order ensured it would be that bad! GC finished with a pokey five-for as batsmen played shots, but Rob can consider himself unlucky that he only picked up one wicket (and heat stroke) in a tireless 20 over spell in the sun. Tea was from the Captain's missus and she didn't let him down. With enough food to feed a small army of Plumley's, just a small one mind, well maybe just a squadron, well probably just two as they are big boys… Sufficed to say lots of lovely sandwiches. Along with home-made sausage rolls and scotch egg, and more fruit than an episode of Carry On, ooooh, it was like a heavenly picnic.  Pev got off to a poor start with the bat as Gav was caught behind in the second over, but Plum looked in great touch as he hit two fours in Hall's first two over's, smiting him out of the attack. With the in-form Gravy at the other end the score raced to 87 at over 6 an over and things looked good. However, with the first ball after drinks, the introduction of Skinner paid dividends as Plum was disappointingly LBW for a very hard hit 40. A physically struggling Uphill (6) followed soon after as he dabbed to slip to give Skinner his second wicket. Gravy took the game to Crowborough and followed his maiden fifty last week, with a second successive one. However, after he edged Parker behind for 56, the rest of the batting folded. Chris D (8) was cleaned up trying to hit out, Louis (16) was caught after some eye-pleasing strokes, GC (5) was bowled missing a pull, and the Nugget was yorked after the excitement of getting on the sixes board with a monster blow, all were dismissed by Foskett as he finished with a fine 5-46. Last man Archy was able to steal another batting point with an immense study of concentration, class, poise, and power, as he cut and hooked with authority and disdain on his way to 9*, many wondering whether his introduction earlier in the run chase could have in fact stolen the game from Crowborough's grasp…. However, down the other end Rob was pinned LBW by Parker to secure the win and 30 points for Crowborough.

03/07/2010 v. Buxted Park (h) Match Drawn BP 234-8 dec Pev 143-7 

Batsmen Stuffed by Olive

On another sweltering day, Pev welcomed third placed to the Rec. They welcomed back Skipper James Wallis and Parisian adventurer Holey, but were missing Uphill and Chris D. Losing the toss, Pev were invited to bowl. Despite being inhibited by the inconsistent turf, the Nugget cranked up the gears as he continued his return to top form. However, Raymond in particular countered well and it was not until the tenth over that Nugget made the breakthrough as Ferns edged behind. Burgess joined Raymond at the crease and a period of consolidation followed until the bowlers were changed and the batsmen made hay while the sun shone! Archie and Holey replaced the tiring gingers and their first three overs were smote for 38 runs as Raymond laid into Archie with a six (two and four overthrows off a horrid smear….) and then five fours in an over (much better), bringing up his fifty in the process, and Burgess put Holey's first two balls into the field with gloriously easy straight drives. Suddenly Buxted were 100-1 and cruising. However, Le Homme of the moment Holey redeemed his poor start as Raymond (54) played one loose drive too many and was held at mid-off and then Olive came and went without scoring, courtesy of a Pedro leg-side stumping special, to leave Buxted 100-3. Burgess remained solid and continued to lay into Holey as he added a third big straight six to his five fours and it was a shock when out of the blue he missed a straight ball from Archie and was bowled for 58. (15) followed soon after as Rob's accuracy and perseverance paid off in a sapping 14 over spell and he was LBW missing a shovel to leg to leave the match poised at 149-5. However, for the second week running the fielding let Pev down as around thirty runs were gifted to the Buxted cause by sloppy and tired fielding efforts and the pressure built by the bowlers tireless efforts was allowed to slip from their grasps. Rutheen (17) and Miles (36*) batted sensibly and ran hard before Rutheen was bowled by Rob and Coddington (8) was bowled by GC swinging for late runs. It was left to C Olive to apply the coup de grace with a brutal 18 off 8 balls including two sweetly struck sixes off GC as Buxted declared with one allotted over left at 234-8 and Pev dragged themselves from the field. Tea was an enchantment of home-made cakes and fresh sandwich fillings. Of particular note was the patented Lewis egg filling, slightly curried and splendid on the palette. Plum opened up the innings with a couple of boundaries, but this was to be a weak jab in a heavyweight contest as C Olive tore into the Pev batting line up. Bowling with real pace and accuracy and achieving bounce and movement off the track, Olive bowled one of the best spells seen at the Rec for many a moon. He cleaned up (11), Gravy (0), Craig (5) and Louis (0) in a spell which was hostile both physically and verbally and was only halted by his over restrictions. Having left Pev reeling at 30-4, the change bowlers were not able to have the same impact and James and Holey were able to play themselves in. The pair put on 81 in the non-Olive overs but the run rate was never going to trouble the Buxted score as they fielded excellently. The Skipper reached 52 with some classy driving and pulling before Olive returned and had him playing on to end the partnership. Corbishley (5) became the only batsmen not to fall to Olive as he slapped a rank full bunger from Coddington straight to mid-on, and Pedro (0), struggling with an injured finger, became Olive's sixth victim as he edged behind. However, by this stage Holey was going great guns and brought up his fifty in style with a scorching six back over Olive's head. He and Rob saw out the remaining overs as a tame run chase came to an end. Pev's first draw of the season and another disappointing display as Pev were again frustratingly poor in the field to concede the initiative at crucial times.

10/07/2010 v. Eastbourne 3rd XI (a) Won by 8 Wickets E/B 159 ao Pev 160-2

Out With The Old...

With a selectorial attitude towards the elderly or infirm that would've made Harold Shipman blush, Pev 1's took to the field with their youngest team since the Under 5's were disbanded in 1902. Fielding first for the 12th time in 10 games under a sun hotter than a Tennessee Williams novella, Nugget and GC found little in the pitch, so the slower, wilier skills of 1st team debutant Rob Dyer, and token geriatric Bill Filby were needed to curb Eastbourne 3's's's elderly watchful top order. Despite being 130-4 at one stage, the youthful fielding policy paid massive dividends as runs were kept down, and canny bowling put the pressure on the younger lower order, as they capitulated somewhat. The last 6 wickets fell for just 29 runs, including a catch at first slip by Dave Temple that was so good, it actually deserves proper credit. Bravo. GC ended with 3fer, Rob 2fer, and Bill added another 5 wickets to his overall tally on Larkins Field, to take his grand total to 5. 
ECCC3's ao for 159 from 43.2 overs.

In reply, makeshift opener Frodo Temple hit two glorious 6's in an otherwise awful knock of 23, before grumpy old contingent John Plumley, and bombastic run machine Martyn Tideswell put together 90 runs against a earnest but unpentrative attack. Plum went to a thumpy 50 containing 8 boundaries and several long faces, before being run out, called back and then bowled in a mad 5 minutes, leaving it to Craig Hornby to bustle us home with a quick 14*. Gravy scored his 3rd 50 in 4 innings, ending on 56*, whilst everyone else sat in the shade, drank fizzy pop, and stayed up well past their bedtimes. Pev 160-2 from 30.3 overs

So, 30 points, hooray for kids and who wants a lollipop? - The second half of the season has started well, putting our just-pipped-at-the-promotional-post bid firmly back on track. Now who had Spain in the sweepstake?

17/07/2010 v. Hailsham 1st XI (h) Match Drawn Pev 174-8 Hailsham 173-6

Pev drop catches while Hailsham Drop Clanger

On a blustery day, Pev welcomed Hailsham to the Rec for a mid-table clash. With GC having bowled 562 overs already this season he was rested and Steve Hadaway came into the side for his debut. Jim lost the toss and was asked to bat. Plum and the Craig provided another heavyweight opening pair but found the going tough and could only plod along at 2 an over. Craig (3) was eventually put out of his misery, cleaned up by JST, but this only bought form man Gravy to the crease. He and Plum began to up the ante and boundaries began to arrive. However, the immortal Hugh Thomas nipped Plum's innings in the bud when he hit his back leg to have him LBW for 31. Gravy again showed his form with a series of eye catching shots, none better than a huge straight six back over Thomas's head to bring up his fourth fifty of the season. He and Wally took the score to 135-2 before both fell in quick succession, Gravy (51) LBW to Treloar and James (24) bowled by Thomas. After that no batsman could make an impression as over ambitious shots produced wickets. Both Dyer's, Hadaway, and Holey, all fell to attacking shots, and it was left to the Nugget to strike Pev to 174-8. The pitch had shown some signs of variable bounce so this was by no means an undefendable score. Hailsham were provided a good start by Treloar who chanced his arm with a shot-filled 32 before Rob had him LBW. With his exit, Wilkinson and Dawber had to rebuild and as the pressure built up, chances began to arrive. Disappointly though, Pev's catching was awful as anywhere between 15-60 catches were put down. Crucially, Dawber was dropped as he top-edged a pull shot when he hadn't scored many and went on to thrash 64 as Hailsham cruised to 150-1. However, with Dawber scoring the majority of the runs, his dismissal to the returning Rob, caught by the Skipper at slip, meant the other batsmen had to score at 5 an over. Shouldn't be too hard with 8 wickets in hand though surely!? When Wilkinson (39) fell to a class catch by the Skipper, Hailsham nerves began to get the better of them. Noakes hit two boundaries to take the score to 172, one hit away from victory, but he then edged Rob behind to take the game to the final over. The miracle man Holey was recalled, stiff from his grazing, for the last hurrah. Kennedy failed to get runs off his first three balls. His fourth was top-edged to square leg where he only found Hadaway, who clung on to the steepler. The fifth ball was another play and miss. The sixth the same and the non-striker was run out attempting the bye to tie the game. Remarkable scenes! Rob and Holey's last three over's had only leaked three runs as the batsmen had choked with the target in sight. A great finish but a game Hailsham should have won and will be disappointed not to. Another poor fielding performance is becoming far too regular a summary for the Pev efforts!

24/07/2010 v. Newhaven 1st XI (h) Pev Won by 3 Wickets Newhaven 189 ao Pev 192-7

Young, Gifted, and Ginger

Bowling first for more times than it is funny to joke about, Pev let loose the dangerous red heads, and saw struggling visitors Newhaven reduced to 40-5. Simon Owen with the wind at his back and evil thoughts about slip fielders in his mind took 3, and GC running in like a demented greyhound took 2, with no batsman happy against pace and bounce - all the wickets being nicks or mistimed shots. The innings should have been all done for under 100, but Pev lost intensity, and though no easy chances were dropped, no hard ones were taken. Newhaven's no.7 (C.Durrant 73) played sensibly and forcefully as necessary to guide the lower half through to a par score, as a few good shots, a few lucky edges and good running between the wickets got Newhaven back on track. Martin Hole and Jack Holmes took one a piece, but fortunately the Nugget was on hand to clean up the tail to keep the oppo under 200, ending with the most excellent figures of 6-47 in a very lot of quick, nasty overs. Newhaven 189ao. 

90 years of experience strode to the crease in John Plumley and Mike Tingley, but being on the far side of the square made the walk clearly tiring, as they both departed early for a milky tea in a comfy armchair. Martyn Tideswell and Chris Pedroza steadied things for a while, but Newhaven bogged us down, and when they were both removed, we had reached 67-4 off 22 overs, with Newhaven getting noses ahead. The game turned now during a match winning partnership of 93, as Adam Langford-Smith and Steve Dallaway patiently got us back into the game. Kudu used dabs and whacks, lifting the ball over midwicket or gliding it down to 3rd man, whilst Steve played anchor with the most mathematically perfect straight bat ever seen. The required rate was always kept in check, as these two targetted the change bowling, and kept the board ticking over. The required ask was down to 33 needed of 6 when Kudu was bowled by a shooter for an amazingly intelligent 37. Holey ran some sensible singles, giving the strike back to Steve, who was now hitting into the V with ease, and went to a Ice-man-esque 50 off 66 balls. Two quick wickets put us firmly in squeaky-bum-time-territory, and 10 were needed off the last two. But Corbishley settled any doubt with consecutive boundaries to win with 4 balls to spare, as Newhaven's fielders lost belief following such a long strong partnership earlier. Steve ended 57* off 77 balls, with 8 fours and 1 massive six, Pev ending 192-7 off 44.2 overs.

Has this broken our run chase hoodoo? Will Steve forgoe football in favour of helping Pev gain double promotion? Is Kudu the smelliest genius Pev have ever seen? How can Gravy look so out of touch, and still score 30? Who cares! 30 points and the race for the the top is back on course.

 31/07/2010 v. St Peters 1st XI (a) St Peters Won by 3 Wickets Pev 201-8 St Peters 202-7

Hole-some effort not enough

07/08/2010 v. Rye 1st XI (h) Pev Won by 4 Wickets Rye 153 ao Pev 155-6

Out with the old, in with the older!

With a selectorial attitude toward the young and healthy that would've made Michael Jackson spit, The Pev fielded their oldest side since 1910 for the visit of Rye, with many players remembering the game in question. Following drop outs, injuries and post cricket week flaccidation, skipper Wallis was left with 9 men on Friday night, but with the promise of Werthers Original and a Dame Vera poster, Terry Lewis and Paul Appleby manfully filled the vacancies. With extreme inevitability we fielded first, Graeme Corbishley and Cricket Week uber-star Chris Dyer opening the attack. GC held a line and length, but CD sent down some friendly fare, Rye sped to 51-0, and memories of last years drubbing at this time surfaced. Things all changed in the 13th over, as GC removed both openers, one plucked from the sky by Holey, and the other a sharp caught and bowled. When Chris then got a straight ball through their number 3, they were 56-3 and we were back in the game. Suddenly, like a swarm of dinosaurs given one last hurrah, the fielders regained life and Rye were slowly strangled. GC and Martin Hole applied pressure, giving nothing away, and they eeked to 129-8. Bill held a good catch in the covers to remove their dangerous no.6, and John Plumley scooped a fantasmagoric diving one hander nano-metres from the turf at short leg, which stunned everyone in more than one way. Rye's number 8, J Woodcock did well to shepherd the lower order, scoring 26*, but they were all dismissed as GC ended with 5-63 off of 21.3 very consecutive overs, and Holey supporting excellently with 4-38. 153ao from 42.3

The reply would never be a simple affair, as that wouldn't be entering the end-of-cricket-week spirit, as we stumbled to 51-5 in reply. Plum was bowled by one that nipped back, Dyer gloved behind, Pedro was bowled, Tingly Jr was lbw, and Wallis was also dismissed, as things looked ominous. With Nick Lewis carrying a thigh, back, shoulder, ear, nose, throat, toenail and earlobe injury, our hopes lay in the lower order. However, Saved we now were! by Bill Filby and Martin Hole, who blunted and counter-attacked perfectly. Filby ignored anything that wasn't utterly under his control, and anchored things sturdily, as at the other end Holey used both his bottom hands to good effect. These two put on 72 runs in 20 overs, settling nerves and ageing stomaches in equal measures. After bowling proved ineffective, Rye fielders attempted distraction and conversation, but picked their targets badly, as Holey's bat did the real talking with 3 big 6's as he went to another league 50. A wicket added some spice, but Corbishley (10*) proved equally deaf-eared, and Filby's 33* was paced fantastically to ensure another bat 2nd 30 points, Pev ending 155-6 off 44.2

So everyone celebrated with some mushed up cabbage and mild soup, but more importantly, with other results going certain ways, this leaves the mighty Pev 2nd! Unprecedented is an over-used word, but...

 14/08/2010 v. Willingdon 1st XI (a) W'don Won by 106 Runs W'don 210-7 dec Pev 104 ao

Not an enjoyable day.

21/08/2010 v. Plumpton and E.C. 1st XI (h) P'ton won by 7 Wickets Pev 48 ao P'ton 49-3

Decisions, Decisions

In October 1854, during the Crimean War, Lord Cardigan led a charge straight down the infamous "Valley of Death" in a bid to drive back the Russian Artillery. They were cornered on three sides by heavily armed opposition troops, and the ensuing fatalities were horrendous, as wave after wave of men was sacrificed in the infamous Charge of the Light Brigade. This was generally agreed to be a"bad decision".

In 1876, General George Armstrong Custer gathered the fraying remnants of his beleagured troops onto a hill by Little Big Horn River. Despite excessive passionate Native American resistance, pride forbid his retreat, and a foolish battle ensued with over 250 soldiers killed, including two of his brothers, his nephew and brother-in-law. He could have retreated safely, but folly made him strive against the impossible. This is also referred to as "a bad decision".

In 2010 Pevensey 1st XI had accumulated 130 bowling points so far, more than any other team in the whole of the rest of league, with a persistent and varied seam attack, that complimented each other outstandingly. In perfect bowling conditions, and with a team drastically short of batting, stand in skipper John Plumley won the toss and chose to bat first against visitors Plumpton and East Chiltington....
Do you see a trend developing?

Still, in a bid to secure maximum batting points Pev set off in search of 210, and can consider themselves unlucky to fall only 162 runs short. The innings was a catalogue of mediocrity from start to finish, with wickets falling like drunken skittles. Mike Tingley bowled for a golden. Plum caught and bowled for 5. Martyn Tideswell left one onto his off peg. Craig lbw. Holey caught mid off. John Holmes caught behind. Nugget cleaned up. At 37-7 we were on course to record the worst ever league total, but a few slogs from Lance Gearing dragged us to 48, a total as indefensible as the original decision to bat. Chris Batchelor returned the preposterously fantastic figures of 5-7 off 12 overs, as we lasted a mere 25.3 overs.

In reply, Plumpton chose to bat watchfully, but quite frankly they could've batted blindfolded with toothpicks and still won. GC bowled with fire and pace, and beat the bat repeatedly, as did Nugget, who picked up one, whilst Holey's accuracy removed 2 more, so we at least avoided the Eurovision Nul Pointe, but the game was lost long before we bowled. Plumpton 49-3 off 16 overs. Pev's Man of the match award was burned as a sacrificial apology to the cricketing gods, and Plumpton's man of the match was John Plumley.

This means that in the last 2 games we've been bowled out for a combined score of 152, which is an average of 7.6 runs per wicket. Or to put it another way, we'd need 27 players to achieve maximum batting points.

And, just in closing, if you read this match report twice, you'll have spent longer reading about our batting, than we did doing it.

 28/08/2010 v. Crowborough 1st XI (a) Pev Won by 14 Runs Pev 193-8 C'borough 179 ao

Betting Slip-Ups

Attention was drawn away from Record Partnerships and Match Fixing Shennanigans at Lords, by an even more amazing cricketing revelation - a Pevensey Bat first win, this one away to an evenly matched Crowborough. Following last weeks debacle, Skipper Wallis was welcomed back with palm leaves and choral music, but still lost the toss as Pev were inserted on a damp sponge of a track. Two early wickets did nothing to steady nerves, as Plum and Kudu suffered as the ball seamed, but this only spurred Wallis and Nick Pocknall to knuckle down for some attrition. They were helped out by a useful set of bowling changes for us, as the Crowborough seamers who had been troubling everyone were replaced by their spinners, and runs flowed a little, and the batsman put on 74. Wallis played all round the ground for another classy looking 50, and Nick swept repeatedly and succesfully as we looked towards the magic 210. Crowborough threw their seamers at us again, and forced some breakthroughs, as Wallis (58), Pocknall (34) and Hole were removed. However, refreshed from his Dora the Exploring adventure, Pedro molly-coddled the lower order up to parity, scoring 29*. Jake Lambert used his full arching bat to add 17, and 193-9 off 50 was about right.

In reply Nugget bowled another short fiery spell, this one ending an over earlier than the week before as injury hit. It's probably a good thing next week is the last game, or he'd have to come off before he'd been brought on. Holey struck straight away when introduced, and GC was unseasonably accurate, and Crowborough had to content themselves with running down the track to slog or scramble singles. This couldn't go on forever, so when changes were eventually made, the new bowlers suffered a little as the track dried out. Will Rogers anchored things for Crowborough with 60, and although Bill Filby bowled well and removed Daniel Foden for 35, the game looked to be disappearing away from us, as De Sampaio took up his leg-side cudgel and blapped 34 very quickly, moving them to 163-2, and a third consecutive defeat was staring at us like a demented Lemur. However, the game was now to swing back towards Pev, as a change of ends for the returning Holey and GC saw a dramatic collapse. GC removed Rogers with potentially the best ball he'll ever bowl, and this opened up the tail, who buckled despite only needing 4 an over. Wallis held onto 2 skiers from Holey, as line were swung across, Pedro burgled a stumping off Corbishley, who then did likewise with an lbw, before the Nugget, muscles audibly tearing with every race around the boundary, swooped at square leg to run our their number ten. It was left to GC to end things with a caught and bowled, his 50th league wicket of the season, to seal the win by 14 runs, as Crowborough lost their last 8 wickets for just 17 runs.

Which somehow means we ended us with victory from the middle of nowhere, although several shady types close by appeared to be patting betting slips and cackling maniacally afterwards. Still it all leads to a very interesting last weekend, as anything could happen, but let's be fair, it probably won't. Should be mentioned that following a few grumpy weekends, the game was played in a good spirit throughout, and if we stay in this league we look forward to playing the borough again next season.

04/09/2010 v. Buxted Park 1st XI (a) Pev Won by 75 Runs Pev 232-2 BP 157 ao

Save the best for last

Pev travelled to Buxted Park in the final fixture of the season knowing only one result was certain, the Six Bells at Chiddingly would be involved on the route home. The monkey of promotion was still firmly on the Club's shoulders, a good result could have seen the Pev in the lofty, nose-bleed territory of Division 1 and the same applied to Buxted, who started the game 3rd to Pev's 4th… As it turned out, it would be a great result and we'd stay in Division 2, good times. With the immortal quote of a Buxted fielder ringing in our ears following our poor home draw earlier in the season; "At least we know they don't bat below three" The Skipper lost the toss and our 'crucial' top three was invited to bat. With Buxted's usual destroyer C Olive nursing a back injury, the bowling did not have the same bite to it and James and Plum were able to play themselves in with little alarm. The first over maiden bowled by Huxley would also prove to be the last as the pair reached fifty at four runs an over. A slow outfield turned 4's into 2's and meant this run rate could have been even worse for Buxted. Unusually it was the Skipper who was the aggressor as Plum struggled to time the ball early on. James unfurled his full range of aesthetically pleasing strokes to the delight of the crowd and even produced his pull shot, rarely seen nowadays, to devastating effect. He was first to his fifty as the pair reached the first hundred partnership of the season in only the 22nd over. James was finally bowled by Browing for 60 to end the partnership at 122, not the start Buxted required for maximum bowling points. With Tingles striding to the crease at 3, the last of our 'capable' batsmen, Plum had his old mucker at his side and relished the treat. The pair hit hard and ran soft as different bowlers were tried with no success. Plum reached his fifty with a brutally timed cannon through long off and followed it with his first six of the day onto the pavilion roof. The pair took the run rate to almost five an over and brought up the Pev 200, only the second time we had passed the figure this season, for the loss of one wicket. Plum then brought up his hundred, only his second league century, with another scorcher through the covers. It was an innings combining his usual brutal smiting with patience rarely displayed by the big man. He signed off with his second six as he launched the unlucky Saunders for a monstrous blow towards the church, truly a massive hit. When Tings became Browning's second victim for 33, the pair had added 110 runs and Buxted's promotion hopes were over. The Skipper declared with Ting's dismissal in the 48th over. Luckily for us, we finished on 232-2, meaning our numbers four to eleven, the aforementioned non-batsmen, didn't even have to display their ineptness. Tea was an end of season enchantment. The sandwiches were fresh with divine fillings and the scones were loaded and plentiful. Lovely. Pev took to the field with the bowlers refreshed in the knowledge that the batsmen had actually shared the work for once. GC and Rob took the new ball and it was Rob who struck first, with only his fourth ball, as Raymond departed for only 1, nibbling a cutter behind and Pedro took a very smart catch standing up. Hopkins seemed determined to take the attack to Pev as he raced to 15 off 7 balls, taking three 4's off GC's second over. However, he moved back and across in Rob's second over and was pinned LBW, a decision he seemed to disagree with, but then batsmen always do, don't they! Billings (16) was next to fall as GC proved too quick for his attempted pull shot and he could only lob the ball to midwicket where Kudu tried his very best to make a hash of the catch but eventually clung on. The wickets continued to fall as Miles (16) was bowled by Rob, who then yorked Browning for a duck two balls later to leave Buxted 61-5. Coddington tried to smash Rob into Uckfield but could only top-edge to cover where the Skipper clung on to complete Rob's five-for. Ferns and Huxley tried to shut up shop at this point, a la Pev at home, however, Pev bowlers stuck to the task and were rewarded when Huxley (5) turned a Holey leg-side half volley fine only to have Rob cling on to a very sharp catch at a cunningly placed leg-slip. Ferns (15) was next to go, mis-timing a drive that steepled to GC at mid-off and he clung on well to the back pedalling chance, to give Rob his maiden six-for and leave Buxted 100-8. Olive then opened his shoulders to take the score to respectability. Hitting out with attacking fields he savaged 59 with ten 4s and one monster 6. However, he fell the very next ball after the 6 as Kudu induced his edge to a slow-motion diving Pockers at gully. The match ended with a champagne moment as the usually dormant Lemon was induced out of hibernation by cries of "Run Run Run" and "Dive Dive Dive" and he stunningly clung on with his emu like grab to spark wild(ish) scenes. With thirty points in the bag Pev leap-frogged Buxted to finish third, the club's highest ever finish. Plumpton meanwhile took the points they required to finish second and continue their meteoric rise up the divisions; Which is a shame as they were nice. The non-promotion party then carried on long into the night, never has third place been so well toasted!

2010 1st XI Averages

Batting (at least we have a 100s column this year!) 2 innings qualification

	I	NO	Runs	HS	50s	100s	Avg	Ct/St
S Dallaway	2	1	63	57*	1		63	3/0
M Tideswell	12	2	351	80	4		35.1	3/0
J Wallis	11	1	282	60	3		28.2	6/0
J Plumley	17	1	444	121*	1	1	27.75	5/0
N Pocknall	3	0	82	38	0		27.33	1/0
M Tingley	5	1	101	41*	0		25.25	0/0
M Hole	13	3	248	58*	3		24.8	3/0
D Temple	7	1	148	46	0		24.67	5/0
C Pedroza	10	2	148	38	0		18.5	11/4
B Filby	5	2	53	33*	0		17.67	4/0
A Llewellyn-Smith	4	0	54	37	0		13.5	3/0
C Dyer	9	1	82	35*	0		10.25	2/0
G Hornby	3	0	26	14	0		8.67	2/0
R Dyer	2	0	17	11	0		8.5	1/0
S Owen	8	4	33	14*	0		8.25	3/0
G Corbishley	12	3	65	20	0		7.22	8/0
C Hornby	5	1	27	11	0		6.75	2/0
N Lewis	6	1	32	16	0		6.4	2/0
M Archer	3	1	9	9*	0		4.5	1/0
R Adams	8	5	11	7*	0		3.67	6/0
O Tingley	2	0	7	7	0		3.5	0/0
Jo. Holmes	4	0	6	4	0		1.5	2/0

 

Top Five Batting Performances

J Plumley	121*	Buxted Park	A	4 Sept
M Tideswell	80	Plumpton & E.C.	A	19 June
J Plumley	67	Eastbourne 3rds	A	10 July
J Wallis	60*	Buxted Park	A	4 Sept
M Hole (x2) J Wallis	58*			Various

2010 Highest Partnership For Each Wicket

Wicket	Runs	Opponent			Partnership
1st	122	Buxted Park	A	4 Sept	J Plumley and J Wallis
2nd	110	Buxted Park	A	4 Sept	J Plumley and M Tingley
3rd	85	Crowborough	A	28 Aug	J Wallis and N Pocknall
4th
5th	93	Newhaven	H	24 July	A Llewellyn-S and S Dallaway
6th	72	Rye	H	7 Aug	M Hole and B Filby
7th	78	St Peters	A	31 July	M Hole and C Pedroza
8th	20	Willingdon	A	14 Aug	B Filby and I Bradley
9th	24	Rye	A	5 June	G Corbishley and S Owen
10th	9	Crowborough	H	26 June	R Adams and M Archer

 

 Bowling (20 over qualification)

	O	M	R	W	Avg	BB	5w	Econ
M Hole	128.2	31	386	31	12.45	4-20	0	3.01
G Corbishley	215.1	28	793	51	15.55	9-28	4	3.68
B Filby	36.4	7	135	8	16.88	5-47	1	3.68
M Archer	76.5	17	267	15	17.8	5-22	1	3.48
R Adams	126.3	21	433	20	21.65	6-51	1	3.42
S Owen	79	14	285	11	25.91	6-47	1	3.61
C Dyer	30	2	152	5	30.4	2-24	0	5.07

 

Top Five Bowling Performances

G Corbishley	9 for 28	Eastbourne 3rd XI	H	15 May
S Owen	6 for 47	Newhaven	H	24 July
R Adams	6 for 51	Buxted Park	A	4 Sept
M Archer	5 for 22	St Peters	H	29 May
G Corbishley	5 for 41	Newhaven	A	22 May