Dear Sir,

I thought it appropriate to bring to your attention that our Treasurer, Dominic Bryan, seemed aghast last week to have discovered he missed the match against Catch 22 at Lords. He claimed that he didn’t know the date, (or had forgotten it), thus he did not attend.

There are two things I will say:-

1.     We must publish and distribute our Fixture Card early in the year - ideally at the Annual Dinner - so Members are fully prepared for the season well in advance - particularly as we extend the start of the season into March these days and will be doing so into February in 2011 when we Tour to Capetown

2.     We must use this notice/posting as an opportunity to test whether our Treasurer uses the website as his prompt for fixture dates, (as we all should prior to the Fixture Card being produced/distributed). If I do not see a ‘posted’ reply from our Treasurer within the next few days we all know the answer. J

The moral of the story is we must promote the use of the website more widely and update it regularly - and our Members must try and remember it is there and use it.

Thank you.

Match Report.

Jack Frost XI v Catch 22

(8 a side indoor match)

 Lords - 7pm - Thursday 18^th March 2010.

 Jack Frost XI arrived in good time at the indoor school at Lords on a relatively mild and overall pleasant mid week evening, ready for our annual encounter against Catch 22 in a 20 over a side, 8 a side match in the indoor school at Lords.

The usual pre match warm up routine ensued, (in the bar), before we took to the field of play promptly at 7pm.

 Jack Frost XI, captained by Alastair Crowhurst, won the toss and elected to field. Fairly quickly, (as Jack Frost XI were slow to warm to the task after a long winter lay off), we wondered whether electing to field was the right thing to do, given the lack of a swinging ball due to limiting overhead conditions, a distinct lack of turn, and obvious ability of the oppositions opening pair as they raced to 55 off their 5 overs.

 However Jack Frost was not to be downhearted as a fight back of epic proportions ensued. After the opening pair for Catch 22 had departed at the end of their allotted 5 overs, opposition wickets fell at regular intervals and on occasion in quick succession throughout the remainder of the Catch 22 innings as we held our catches, our bowling improved and our fielding tightened up. Catch 22’s innings closed on a creditable but by no means unassailable 160 off their 20 overs.

 The Jack Frost XI innings started well as Julian Tall and James Mawson, (a friend of Julian’s playing as a guest of Jack Frost XI who is a classical left handed stroke maker with a cool head), pushed the ball around by way of cricket strokes even Geoffrey Boycott would have been pleased to see. (Ay lad that’s not a T20 shot - that’s a proper crickeeet shot - and its good ta see lad’), as they scored at 10 an over for 5 overs, very nearly equaling the strong start made by the opening pair from Catch 22. This was exactly the foundation to the innings Jack Frost XI needed and enabled the power house middle order of Andy Klimcke and Will Pitts to capitalize on that fine start and that they did in spades! Andy and Will produced some fine shots to all parts of the indoor school - carving out a very impressive score of 84 from their 5 overs with a combination of power hitting and superb placement. (Will was a guest of Andy’s - from NPL and is a very useful all rounder, bowling fast and batting with a combination of power hitting and skilful placement). Alastair Crowhurst and John Hall were the next pair at the crease, managing to nudge and nurdle our way toward the opposition total, with some calmness about us knowing our job was one of consolidation so the unusual call for indoor cricket of ‘wait there’ and ‘no’ seemed to be uttered at regular intervals as we did out best not to waste the wonderful position we found our team in. After our 5 overs, we left the remaining pair, arguably our strongest/most experienced batsmen, a modest 5 runs for victory! Barring catastrophe, the game was won before our last pair took to the crease. And again, in the words of Geoffrey Boycott, ‘by eck they did not disappoint’. Mike Chase and Bud Abeysekera proceeded to have a net of all proportions as they carved, smashed, blasted and caressed almost each and every delivery for runs, with 4’s and 6’s a plenty, putting on a staggering 101 for the last pair. Of course, being Frosters, they played their shots, but with calm calculated efficiency. All in all the innings of our final pair made for a highly entertaining albeit one sided finish - so my thanks to Mike and Bud for sealing the deal for Jack Frost XI with such flamboyance, style and class. With the result in no doubt, the match came to an appropriate close in very ‘Frost’ fashion with Mike Chase getting out, to no consequence, off the last ball of the match! Our innings closed on 256 off 20 overs - a margin of victory of 96 runs over Catch 22.

 So Jack Frost XI has retained the much coveted ‘Lords Taverner’s Trophy’ until we compete again at the same time next year.

 Post match we adjourned to the bar upstairs for the usual cocktail of refreshments and awards where we also enjoyed some food again kindly provided by Catch 22. The awards presentation followed and as winners on the night Alastair Crowhurst received the ‘Lords Taverner’s Trophy’ on behalf of Jack Frost XI from Vince Parker of Catch 22.

 I would like to take this opportunity to thank Julian and Andy for introducing our 2 guests to Jack Frost XI. If they enjoyed themselves, I would encourage Will and Mawse to make themselves available for further matches through Andy/Julian as we would be happy to welcome them both again during the 2010 season.  

 On behalf of Jack Frost XI I would again particularly like to offer very many thanks to our host Vince Parker of recruitment firm Catch 22, www.c22.co.uk, who sponsor the whole evening and always make us feel very welcome. Catch 22’s sponsorship means that our match fees go directly toward a meaningful donation to the Lords’ Taverner’s charity. Thanks too to Reg Horne the Director of the Indoor School at Lords for umpiring and Chris behind the bar for his fine service.  

 We look forward to playing again in May in the ‘round robin’ competition and very much hope to return again in to compete for the trophy in 2011.

 I would also like to thank our new Chairman, Nigel ‘Foxy’ Fowler, who was in attendance, providing much needed encouragement to the troops.

 Many thanks to the team - a fine start to the Jack Frost XI season.

 
Alastair Crowhurst

Match Manager

Many thanks for turning out yesterday and congrats for some fine performances that meant we captured a Lord's trophy for the first time in Jack Frost history?

Seeing as I am bored and it is Friday a short player by player summary from the boundary………Ghost written of course….

Khawar 'Boycott - it's easy from the stands' Saleem:
Middle of the innings partnership with Neil worked well. Gave ample advice when required and also when not required. Competitive edge simmered away and occasionally boiled over. Highlight of the day was giving Ali a cracking bruise with a beautifully guided on drive…"Well, Ali is a big unit….."

Andy 'WAG before teammates' Klimcke
Batting and Bowling performance was up to usual excellent standard but extra effort noted, could this be the 'WAG' factor (note: make sure WAG is invited to future events). Disappeared soon after the game finished no doubt to explain the LBW rule to the WAG before lights out…..greatest contribution was team bat with lovely ribbed grip 'for extra sensation and pleasure'

Neil 'I hate Aussies (and Old Ruts) unless they're women' Bates
Keeping was superb as usual and then fielded like a demon. Batting good but Catch 22 Ginger Boy probed (and hit) that Off stump too much in the final match. Needs to eat less post match…Maturing nicely although Aussie moaner on opposition brought out that British Bulldog spirit in final game….

Ali 'I got a shiner on my back this morning' Crowhurst
Bowled more dot balls then anyone else and run out from short leg was a joy to watch. Mature batting style and played for the team but tarnished record when trying to take the captain out when batting, however, should have a nicely maturing bruise on back as memento (ha ha). Great organisation, someone should make him Club Secretary.

Ian 'Glass fingers, oooh should my finger be that shape' Milton
Experience showed in quality batting and bowling performance. Extravagant ploy to avoid paying match fee by slamming finger into surface and getting whisked away to hospital. Noted that we had our best game when he departed as Foxy stepped up to the plate. Broken fingernail should be okay in a couple of weeks….but good for a couple of days off work. (If you ask me he should have caught it - Ed)
 
Foxy 'that ones got snow on it' Fowler
Surprise package of the tournament. Highest batting partnership with Aims in final game added to superb bowling performances filled with wickets and moon balls which occasionally hit the roof before pitching. Attempted to copy Milts ploy of finger injury but was told to stop crying and cough up…….

Aims 'Florence Nightingale' Saleem
Batted well but run out 372 times….played great supporting role to Foxy in highest batting partnership. 'The ball kept singing the wrong way' excuse for wides down leg side was balanced by superb wicket taking deliveries and chin music to startled batsmen. Showed tender side when falling for Milts' cunning broken finger ploy ushering him to the local hospital (which had no A+E !!) 

James ' I just can't help it the voices keep telling me to go big' Billington
Bowled straight and well but beneath those glasses lurks a big bruiser waiting to get out….ignored all logical thought and instructions as the big horns came out every couple of balls….fielded superbly in the nasty 'square cut in the face or balls' position….

Dom 'The Supporter' Bryan
Cheered the lads on from the gallery but realised that impact was negated by 'WAG'  factor so left before end. Great Froster!