Played 11  Won 7  Lost 2  Drawn 2  Cancelled 1

Tour Report

The old sense of anticipation was there in full as your scribe drove in fair weather towards Blundells and the first match on 25th July, with the rest stretching blissfully ahead in the imagination. Arriving at the same time as ex-President Dean’s immediately recognisable motor, he instantly recalled another such from long ago, a dark blue Beetle, usually seen with its twin, driven by ex-President Carruthers. Alas, there was no Carruthers in 2016. We missed him greatly, as befits a man who was at various times over 45 years player, Captain, Committee Member, Umpire, Scorer, Scribe and more. We all hope that the gloomy final paragraph of his 2015 report will prove inaccurate, and we will see ‘poetry-in-motion’ Carruthers’ (copyright Captain Dean, 1971) on some future tour after all

There were one or two personnel issues to be sorted out before play commenced. First, Justin Williams, a well-established Sou’wester, was today Captain of Young Old Blundellians. Second, the Harry Thomas who opened the batting for us showed little similarity to the Harry Thomas who was 32 not out when our previous innings ended (9th April in Corfu): they were respectively HT2 (son of Alastair) and HT1 (son of Paul). You and I know that, of course, but it will confuse Andy Bolan when he takes on the statistical role and probably generations of archivists yet to come. To cap it all, one of our players was none other than Rob Pitcher, last seen in 1998 when he did the hat trick at Bridgetown.  Amazingly, Peter Sprague was in that side 22 years ago and was there in the dressing room again to greet him by name on this occasion.

We started as we usually do at Blundells – with a collapse. It was 70 for 5 at one point but then Alastair Thomas was joined by a young debutant, Oliver Nethercott, and nursed us to 145 before two more wickets fell, leaving us still well short of setting a target. It is at times like this that the watching Sou’westers are pleased to see Acting Captain (‘Boss’) Hogg  (younger readers, please google) stride to the middle.  Your scribe enjoyed this match in the company of Rob Pitcher’s father, a Man of Sussex who, at the time, compared Boss Hogg to the Sussex stalwart George Cox. He didn’t mean that there is a striking physical likeness (though they are not unlike each other) so much as that there is the same spirit and resilience about their cricket. (There is an article by A A Thomson called ‘This Cox is a Pippin’ freely available on the internet to anyone inspired to investigate the comparison). Anyway, ‘Boss’ Hogg eventually guided us to a presentable 206 for 8.; we had faced 58 overs in getting there, thanks to a very old-fashioned over rate, which included 21 in the hour after lunch.  We took six wickets when the Blundellians batted, but they only needed 35 overs to pass us.  Rob Pitcher showed what we had missed for the last 22 years – his 2 for 36 off 10 was the outstanding bowling contribution and included, but too late, the hard-hitting Mr Thompson who had scored 84 out of 126 at that point. A few runs later, Mike Hall took a spectacular running catch at long off which briefly gave us hope, but it was not to be.

The big news overnight was that the occupants of the International Space Station had registered only their second unaided sighting of human activity on earth. The Great Wall of China had apparently been joined by John Bolan wearing his new Sou’westers blazer! For those readers used only to the subdued and classical lines of the older model, as sported by President Spray and Peter Sprague, the new ones will come as a bit of a shock. In fact they elicited comment wherever they went; some was supportive (or neutral anyway) but the one heard at Heathcoat was perhaps a little unkind, although geographically and sartorially relevant: the Torquay United Supporters Club Banjo Section, indeed!

Tuesday started with similar issues to Monday. Justin Williams, a well established Heathcoat member, turned out today for the Sou’westers (his parents added to the confusion by providing the excellent tea on behalf of our hosts) and Guy Bucknell, a well established Sou’wester , skippered Heathcoat. We started encouragingly with a century opening partnership between HT2 and Andy Bolan who eventually went on to his own excellent century, his first for the Club, as we reached 274 off 51. The pick of the Heathcoat bowling was Guy Bucknell’s young son, Will, bowling rarely encountered Chinamen. The hope was expressed immediately that his father would encourage him to bring them to the Sou’westers attack in the not too distant future and it was pleasing that we only had to wait a week for this to become reality. Later, it took just 24 overs to dismiss Heathcoat for 114 with some lovely slow left arm from Peter Sprague (4-17 off 7) and some spectacular slip catching from Mike Hall (four in total, three of them off Peter).

Sidmouth has always been an important match for the Sou’westers on tour and there have been numerous high quality encounters in the past. Of course, we were pleased to emerge on top on this occasion and it will always be remembered for Andy Pring’s hat trick (in an excellent spell of 5-33 off 9), the third ball of which was perfection, pitching middle and leg and then lightly removing the off bail. In addition, Mike Hall (40) and Oliver Nethercott (46) quickly put the issue beyond doubt when we batted. Frankly, though, it was not really a vintage Sidmouth occasion, with a 1.30pm start instead of the hitherto ‘normal’ 11.30am and the hosts batting only 10 men. It must be very difficult these days with all the other attractions available, for even Sidmouth to turn out a strong side day after day through the summer as they once did, although in the serious business of the Devon League they regularly put all others to the sword. In any context, however, there was one stand-out moment off the field, when Andy Bolan, with the most wistful of looks in his eye, was heard to say to team physiotherapist Debs Kennedy: “I scored a hundred yesterday and I’m aching all over”!

We have been frustrated twice at Budleigh Salterton in recent years, once by rain and once by a fixtures misunderstanding. When the advance guard arrived this year, the portents indicated another likely problem, with no sign of life visible at all. However, a little patience was rewarded when Budleigh arrived on time for what they expected to be a 2pm start and encountered the Sou’westers who had arrived for 1pm.  When the match started, it was, despite ‘Boss’ Hogg’s staunchest efforts, a 40-over affair with bowlers limited to 8 each. Budleigh were all out for 219 in theirs, with JJ (who had been poorly the previous day and so missed the Sidmouth match) recovering well to take 3-33 from his allocation and Sam Downey 3-32 from his.  It then turned into one of those limited overs matches which the older generation of Sou’westers so dislike. At halfway, we were just behind the pace despite sound contributions from opener Andy Bolan (45 run out), Justin Williams (34) and debutant Sam Beard (42). Then wickets fell and the result became a foregone conclusion long before the end. The last 10 overs were tedious without the draw as a possibility. There is probably another point of view on this question but your scribe is too old to be able to see what it is from this distance.

It was back to a proper match at Taunton, a game played (perfectly satisfactorily) on the prep school ground so that a wedding could overflow onto the main ground. At the start, Sam Kennedy (3-37) and Joe Hall (4-52) reduced the OTs to 34-4, but there was plenty of resistance in the middle and lower order and they reached 217 in the end. We got them for 7 with an hour to spare but with wobbles at various points. It was the second successive day on which a well-set opener was run out (Guy Bucknell, 55) and at 171-6 it could have gone either way until 7 and 8 (Bolan and Pring) swung it conclusively in our favour.

Chulmleigh has seen us come second more often than not, so it was encouraging to see what looked like a half decent side report for duty this year. In the town, the Old Fayre was in full swing. On the field there was relative quiet from the players so the sound of the church bells could be fully appreciated and even the bagpipes from the Fayre did not disturb the tranquility for long. They really have their priorities right in Chulmleigh, though it was even more marked in days gone by. On the wall in the pavilion is a poster advertising a 1947 contest during which the lunch interval lasted from 1.15 to 2.45. Those were the days!

We reached 215 – 4 at declaration with major contributions from Jon Kennedy (81 n o), Andy Bolan (77) and Charlie Redmayne (32).  They were confronted at third change by the first recorded example in Sou’wester annals of a Lithuanian bowler, Mr Suliauskas. At tea, and seeking to build bridges all round, your scribe mentioned that he had been there in the course of work. To laughter from his teammates, Mr S said he hadn’t and neither had his father. Just to show how time really does fly, it was his grandfather who first settled in Chulmleigh and brought him to cricket!

We got 8 down for 104 with plenty of time to get the last two but 7 and 10 (both well known and likeable regular opponents) batted it out – and good for them. Beyond these bare facts, there were a few tasty morsels for the connoisseurs. Another of Boss Hogg’s loveable idiosyncrasies was revealed in the field placing for one particular batsman, possibly known to him of old. Two men were stationed about ten yards behind the slips and gulley in what, when gentle comment from the boundary reached his ears, he called his fly trap; unfortunately it enticed no victims today. Not to be outdone, Philip Oliver perpetrated the first of several of his trademark one-handed stumpings when dismissing the Chulmleigh captain off Peter Sprague, who bowled beautifully again to take 5-46.

And so to Bridgetown, in more ways than one the centre of the tour and one of only four sides who figure in all your scribe’s 45 Yearbooks (the others being Sidmouth, North Devon and Seaton). Twenty wides and seven no-balls were helpful in taking Bridgetown to 257-6 in their 40 0vers. Even more so was a commanding innings of 94 from M Richards, whose father has been a regular against us for some years. There are tall new nets on the river boundary but young Richards cleared them, the river and the road on more than one occasion. Sam Kennedy was very much the best of the bowlers (4-12 off 8) but other figures were not so impressive! When we batted, Jonny Atkinson (78), Harry Kennedy (64) and Charlie Everett (31 – the third day out of four when one of our openers was run out when set) made hay and we won with only four down and three overs to spare.

Although we had not lost a ball to the weather up to this point, there had been several near misses, and the rain came in earnest next day when North Devon wisely called the match off at an early stage and saved many a journey. Despite the setback, 17 assorted Sou’westers of all ages assembled in the evening at Stumbles for a most congenial dinner arranged and coordinated by Debs and Jon Kennedy.  Because of the numbers seeking accommodation in South Molton, several had stayed for at least one night at the Coaching Inn and found it reasonable in all senses of the word, including financial. There was talk of trying to establish it next year as a base for the middle section of the tour, at least for the younger element, and it is to be hoped that something can be arranged, because the atmosphere and the enjoyment of the participants undoubtedly increases with time spent in one another’s company socially as well as on the field.

During the evening, Captain Oliver received an optimistic report from Kilve describing conditions there as ‘a bit cloudy’. This proved to be an understatement even on the following morning and the cloud was thick over Exmoor on the way there. However, the minute it looked as though play might be possible, numerous Kilve players set to with all manner of modern equipment and got everything fit in double quick time. This is an example of the great sense of togetherness which exists at this excellent and hospitable club, and it was followed by another – a substantial and delectable lunch taken early before a 1.15 start.

In accordance with established practice, that well known Sou’wester, Peter Stone, was Captain of Kilve.  He showed he had learned well from us by listing himself at number 11 and not turning his arm over. His cousin, Tom George, was home from Dubai and turned out against him for this, Tom’s first game of any sort for six years. In that context 1-27 off 5 was a pretty decent performance. It was achieved in brand new trousers covered in mud from the soggy outfield within a few minutes of being removed from the bag. Rich Godfrey and Jack Redmayne each took two and Kilve declared on getting to 200 (for 7).  ‘Boss’ Hogg delighted observers with another highly individual piece of field placing. ‘A straight line in the covers’ is pretty common and always parallel with the wicket. AC Hogg’s straight line, however, started with himself at mid-off and progressed through extra cover and cover to conclude at backward deep cover point. From the boundary, the suggestion was made that this was a 45 degrees straight line but ‘Boss’ would have none of that: ‘it’s 53 degrees ’, he said indignantly.

That we reached the target comfortably and in quick time was due entirely to a very belligerent innings of 109 from Charlie Redmayne. Apart from its power and quality, it contained two memorable talking points. One was a blow over the hedge separating the ground from the car park, which was followed by a heavy ‘clunk’ and the raucous sound of a car alarm. Fortunately (from one point of view, at least), the damaged vehicle was Charlie’s own. The second might have provoked a little controversy. Having reached 109, Charlie, like the good egg he is, thought someone else should have a go and, having consulted his partner, left the field in favour of Kennedy (J). The scorebook has him recorded as simply ‘retired’ (ie retired out) but without a wicket being entered. However, those who were there recall him limping in exaggerated fashion to the boundary in what was clearly an indication of ‘retired hurt’ and thus able to return if necessary. Following the ‘retirement’ of whichever kind, there was a good traditional Sou’wester collapse and Charlie was seen by several reliable witnesses to have resumed his pads. Fortunately for all, the issue was not put to the test because Rich Godfrey and Jack Redmayne saw us home. Victory was by 5 or possibly 4 wickets depending on how you read the ‘retirement’.

Seaton is another of our favourites, of course, and it is pleasing to report that the club seems to be on the up at present and that the side we faced in 2016 was the best for several years. Unusually for these days, there are no covers at Seaton and the greenish wicket, which got a thorough soaking on Monday and dried little in the gloom of Tuesday, needed careful watching when we got there on Wednesday. The outfield too was green and lush, which impacted on the scoring rate for both sides. Sam Sprague took 4-32 out of a Seaton total of 184-7 off 42.2 overs.  We got there off 39.5 thanks to a determined, watchful and disciplined innings from Guy Bucknell, who opened, didn’t get run out and was there at the end with 82no. However, for much of the time, we were behind the clock and a draw looked the most likely outcome. The change was brought about by a brisk 38 from Sam Trumper, making his first appearance for six years, which got us back up with the clock and showed victory was possible.

Kilmington play in the same league as Seaton but do have covers and this might go some way to explaining the difference between Wednesday and Thursday.  The outfield was also clipped low and the ball skimmed quickly across it when hit.

Kilmington batted first and roared to 143 in the first hour and 284 – 4 when the declaration came after 39.3 overs, just the moment for such a declaration (despite the result) because in excess of 300 so often kills a game like this. Our reply started in familiar fashion – the fourth time out of six when one of our openers was run out when set. This one had something special about it, however: a very sharp call by Kennedy (H) leaving Kennedy (J) well adrift. It led though, to a wonderful, sparkling partnership between Harry Kennedy and Charlie Thomas that both fathers, Jon and Paul, were there to witness. Paul Thomas was, in fact, acting as Kilmington umpire when Harry, on 98, called for two and ran one short, which Paul called. He was out next ball for 99. The partnership between the two was 202 which beat the Sou’westers’ record for the third wicket of 192 set in1934 by N. U. Coates and E. S. Hoare. Charlie Thomas is allegedly only 15 and still has growing to do. To say he is strong and powerful already is an understatement and he plays straight too! Though not called upon today, he showed at Cerne that he can bowl as well! He was 130  n o when we reached the target and we all look forward to lots more of the same in the years to come.

So, all too soon, it was Cerne and the last match – but what a cracker to end with. Cerne scored 203-8 off the 58.3 that a proper all-day schedule comfortably permitted. Philip Oliver, our specialist one-handed wicket keeper, demonstrated his versatility by taking 3-38 in 10.3 very tidy overs. and Alec Sprague, son of Peter and brother of Sam, deservedly took his first wicket for the club. We looked on target to end with a victory with contributions throughout the order (Charlie Everett 41, Charlie Thomas and Guy Bucknell 31 each) but we faltered lower down and the 9th wicket fell at 170. Your scribe watched the last four and a half overs with the orange sun setting over the church as the background to a quintessentially English country scene.  To the satisfaction of all (including, once the dust had settled, the Cerne players) Peters Stone and Sprague survived them and we ended with a most satisfactory draw on 171-9.

So the playing record was good (W7 D2 L2 C1) but that is only part of the reason why it was such a vintage tour. All the cricket was played in the best possible spirit and we felt like a coherent team throughout (including the umpires, scorers and hangers-on) although there were many changes of personnel. There were numerous father/son combinations on show to demonstrate one of the enduring pleasures of Sou’wester cricket. The clubs we were privileged to play against were welcoming and their grounds universally attractive.  It was truly a wonderful two weeks.

It was all only possible because of the hard work and determination of Martin Oliver and the continued dedication of Marion Oliver, to which the faultless scorebook, which is in front of me as I write this, is powerful evidence.  This statement is repeated every year and is in danger of losing its impact as a result but it remains as true as ever. We all owe them our thanks for these precious days of simple wholehearted enjoyment.

Peter George

Results

v Old Blundellians		Mon July 25		Lost by 4 wickets
	Sou’westers	206-8	A.Thomas 70, O.Nethercott 34, S.Hogg 29
	Old Blundellians	208-6	W.Thompson 84, H.Eaton 44, R.Pitcher 2-36
v Heathcoat		Tues July 26		Won by 160 runs
	Sou’westers	274-6	A.Bolan 119, J.Williams 46, H.Thomas 33
	Heathcoat	114	P.Sprague 4-17, O.Nethercott 2-27
v Sidmouth		Wed July 27		Won by 7 wickets
	Sidmouth	130	A.Pring 5-33, N.McNab 2-25
	Sou’westers	134-3	O.Nethercott 46, M.Hall 40
v Budleigh Salterton		Thurs July 28		Lost by 39 runs
	Budleigh Salterton	219	E.Rice 87, J.Jones 3-33, S.Downey 3-32
	Sou’westers	180	A.Bolan 45, S.Beard 42, J.Williams 34
v Old Tauntonians		Fri Jul 29		Won by 3 wickets
	Sou’westers	217	H.Kelly 60, J.Hall 4-52, S.Kennedy 3-37
	O.T.s	218-7	G.Bucknell 56, R.Buirski 28, M.Hall 25
v Chumleigh		Sat Jul 30		Draw
	Sou’westers	215-4	J.P.Kennedy 81*, A.Bolan 77, C.Redmayne 32
	Chumleigh	124-8	P.Sprague 5-46, S.Hogg 3-33
v Bridgetown		Sun Jul 31		Won by 6 wickets
	Bridgetown	257-6	M.Richards 94, J.McDermott 58, S.Kennedy 4-12
	Sou’westers	258-4	J.Atkinson 78, H.Kennedy 64, C.Everett 31
V North Devon		Mon Aug 1		Cancelled
v Kilve		Tue Aug 2		Won by 5 wickets
	Kilve	200-7	W.Monro 56, J.Rich 55, R.Goderey 2-18
	Sou’westers	201-5	C.Redmayne 109, S.Kennedy 35
v Seaton		Wed Aug 3		Won by 5 wickets
	Seaton	184-7	R.Mandsley 79, S.Pritchard 43, S.Sprague 4-36
	Sou’westers	185-5	G.Bucknell 82*, S.Trumper 38
v Kilmington		Thurs Aug 4		Won by 7 wickets
	Sou’westers	284-4	M.Wakely 104, B.Gardner 69
	Kilmington	287-3	C.Thomas 130*, H.Kennedy 99
v Cerne Valley		Fri Aug 5		Draw
	Cerne Valley	221-8	J.Ryall 49, P.Oliver 3-38, H.Parker 2-24
	Sou’westers	171-9	C.Everett 41,

 

Batting Averages

Batting	Innings	N.O.	Runs	H.S.	Average	Ct/St
C. Thomas	2	1	161	130*	161.00	1
H Thomas	3	2	138	57	138.00	1/1
C. Redmayne	3	1	166	109	83.00	1
H. Kennedy	6	2	277	99	69.25	2
A. Bolan	5	1	271	119	67.75	2
G. Bucknell	4	1	174	82*	58.00	2
A. Thomas	2	0	99	70	49.50	1
J. Kennedy	4	1	138	81*	46.00	1
O. Nethercott	3	1	82	46	41.00	2
S. Hogg	3	1	39	29*	39.00	1
A Spratling	3	1	56	31	28.00	1
J. Williams	6	1	131	46	26.20	3
S. Kennedy	3	1	48	35	24.00	1
P Oliver	2	0	44	32	22.00	2
C. Everett	9	2	151	41	21.57	3
S. Beard	2	0	42	42	21.00
P. Oliver	3	0	60	22	20.00	1
H. Thomas	2	0	40	33	20.00	1
M. Hall	5	0	95	40	19.00	2
R. Buirski	2	0	28	28	14.00	1
W. Payne	4	0	52	24	13.00	2
A. Pring	2	0	18	18	9.00	1
J. Hayes	2	0	18	13	9.00	2
A. Rathborne	2	0	17	12	8.50	1
J. Jones	2	1	7	4*	7.00	1
J. Hall	2	0	2	1	1.00	1
P. Stone	2	1	0	0	0.00

Also batted: J. Atkinson 78; O. Atkinson 28*; P. Clark 8; S. Downey 1; T. George 0 R. Godfree 19*; J. Jones 0 (1ct); M. Longley 20; H. Parker 2; J. Peet 2 (1ct); N. Peet 29*; R. Prior 16*, 10*; J. Redmayne 8*, 3*; A.Sprague 2 P. Sprague 3*; S. Trumper 38
Bowling Averages

Bowling	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets	Average
R. Godfrey	9	4	18	2	9.00
S. Kennedy	57	8	206	18	11.44
N. McNab	8	3	25	2	12.50
P. Sprague	39	12	148	11	13.45
J. Kennedy	10.3	0	73	5	14.60
S. Downey	13	1	47	3	15.66
C Peet	11	1	49	3	16.33
A. Bolan	17	0	84	5	16.80
J. Jones	26	3	102	6	17.00
R. Pitcher	10	3	36	2	18.00
R Prior	8	0	73	4	18.25
P. Oliver	17.3	2	84	4	21.00
J. Hall	30.2	3	151	7	21.57
S. Hogg	13	1	68	3	22.66
A. Pring	32	9	133	5	26.60
H. Parker	24	3	108	4	27.00
O.Nethercott	10	1	67	2	33.50
J. Redmayne	15	1	74	2	37.00
A Spratling	8	0	81	2	40.50
H. Kennedy	33	5	201	2	100.50

Also bowled: F. Atkinson 3-0-40-0; J. Atkinson 4-0-36-0; O. Atkinson 1-0-23-0; G. Bucknell 22-4-95-1; W. Bucknell 22-0-46-0; R. Buirski 4-0-38-0; T. George 5-1-27-1; J Hayes 4-0-22-1; M. Longley 3.3-0-19-2; F. Peet 5-1-9-1; J. Peet 4-0-35-2; N. Peet 4-0-21-1; W. Slick 0.4-0-0-1; H. Smith 5-0-34-1; A. Sprague 20-0-68-1; S Sprague 5.2-0-36-4; P. Stone 8-1-52-1; A. Thomas 4-0-20-1; C. Thomas 6-1-18-0; S. Trumper 5-0-24-1; J. Williams 9-1-51-0.