The ONs' Phoenix XI played Nottinghamshire Law Society in a T20 cricket match for the Alan Wheelhouse Cup on Thursday 4th August. Jonathan Hammond (ON 1975-85) reports from Adbolton...
Well, I’m not really sure what happened there… …I arrived at the ground at 5.15pm with the Alan Wheelhouse Cup under my arm… However, after clearing up at the end of the evening and switching the lights off at 10.37pm… I left Adbolton Lane without it!...
The sun was up, the sky was blue… and I had a team of 11. Adbolton had never looked so good, thanks to our groundskeeper Dave Vickerstaff. Umpire Chris Ford and chair of the Ground Management Committee John Coates told me it was a batting wicket. It would be important to win the toss. Law Society captain Kassra Powles watched as the coin fell in my favour. I chose to bat.
Nigel Hampson and John Croasdale opened against the new ball (£16.00 each! what a thing of beauty!). Hampson faced the opening salvo from speedster Alistair Rose. Croasdale then began his onslaught with three successive 4s. 13 off the over. Picture the captain’s face as he attempted to multiply 13 runs by 20 overs. We were on target for... 260 runs!
Arron Singh bowled to Hampson, who was swinging wildly (or leaving? we’re not sure). Croasdale dispatched another boundary over the parched grass, across the adjacent path, through the open wire fencing, into the adjoining car park, bobbling across the tarmac, down the steps, last seen taking an almighty leap into the babbling waters of the Holme Pierrepont Water Sports Centre, some 212 yards away.
£16.00 of shiny red leather… into the waters… £16.00 and only lasting 10 balls!
Thursday 4th August Cup Match
Croasdale, moving his score on to 22, and knowing retirement was due at 25, majestically hit the last ball of Rose’s over for a mighty 6. All applauded as he left the pitch. Rohan Chauhan replaced him with his permanent beaming smile of enjoyment.
Matthew Slade’s over added only singles to the scorebook. But Wes Wootton induced Hampson to give an easy catch to Arron Singh. Abe Chauhan joined his brother, but their partnership was over after only 3 balls, when Rohan was bowled. Then David Axtell, assisted by Abe Chauhan, made the scoreboard rattle. Axtell retired on 27.
The family affair continued with the arrival of Abe’s cousin Ayush. A current High School student, at 14 years old he became the youngest player to represent the Phoenix XI. The pair added numerous singles, but the boundaries dried up. The tight bowling was proving difficult on the slow astroturf wicket.
Abe mis-timed a straight one and played on. Richard Hayes was in jeopardy of a golden duck, but square leg let the ball slip through his fingers. Vikky Lai gave very little away with her low speed on a pitch with low bounce. When Hayes attempted a quick single, his attempted 22 yard dash was in vain. Run out.
Matt Nixon joined the game for the addition of more singles and the Phoenix XI finished the innings on 117. Only 117. The batting prowess of Colin Sedgewick, Trevor Peake and Jonathan Hammond was not required today.
Thursday 4th August Cup Match
The opening batsmen for the Law Society were soon ready... the umpires were ready… opening bowler David Axtell was ready… and wicketkeeper Trevor Peake realised that he didn't have his pads on! 8 minutes later, Trevor was back, duly padded up…
After one dot ball, Mo Abdullah hit Axtell’s second delivery for 6. A sign of things to come. Rohan Chauhan’s over saw both Abdullah and Arron Singh driving the ball beautifully, adding 8 more. Abe Chauhan had conceded 16 runs from his over when a perfect pick-up, neat footwork and Exocet throw from John Croasdale ran out Abdullah for an impressive 22.
Hayes’ tidy bowling yielded only 5 runs. Singh, on 12, skied Nigel Hampson high to deep midwicket, where man of the moment Croasdale was under it. Could he? Would he? Did he? He did! Next, with his fourth ball, Hampson’s pace deceived Lucas and the bails went flying.
Following a long over from Matt Nixon, Colin Sedgewick unleashed a pace that is seldom seen at Adbolton Lane. New Zealander John Hooper had three swipes before the ball nudged his off stump, very gently, nestling against it, and the bail toppled off. Another Victim for the popular no pace man.
After frugal overs from cousin Ayush and John Croasdale, Captain Hammond bowled his first over of the 2022 Season. Billy Shaw came too far forward to his third ball, the quicker one, and Trevor Peake completed the stumping.
Matthew Slade, who retired on 25, Shoaib Azad and Alex Lucas saw the Law Society home with 3 overs to spare.
Thursday 4th August Cup Match
It was time for the post-match pizzas and presentation. I only had a winners’ speech in my pocket. That’s all I've used and recycled when trophies have been up for grabs at Adbolton. So I quickly prepared some appropriate words and gave the Alan Wheelhouse Cup a quick last buff with a shirt sleeve.
Martin Foulds kindly said a few words about Alan and the impact he had on both the Old Nottinghamians’ Society and the Nottinghamshire Law Society.
Looking around the room at Adbolton... the cricketers, spectators, fellow ONs, parents and families of the younger players... with a slice of pizza in one hand and a pint in the other… the friendships created, memories made, photographs taken… and also when writing this match report… I wonder what Alan would have said about it all?
Your team for today's match was: Nigel Hampson, John Croasdale, Rohan Chauhan, Abe Chauhan, their cousin Ayush, David Axtell, Richard Hayes, Matt Nixon, Trevor Peake, Colin Sedgewick and Jonathan Hammond.
Well, it's one less thing to polish.
Jonathan Hammond (ON 1975-85)
(Proud) Captain of the Old Nottinghamians’ Phoenix Cricket XI, Fixture Secretary, Team Selection Manager, Kit Man, Head of Post-Match Catering, Scorer, Team Photographer, Match Reporter, Head of Social Media & Beer Barrel Tapper
