Quidnuncs Match Reports

CUCC vs Quidnuncs, 26th April 2015

The Quidnuncs overcame 12 years of defeat at Fenner's, beating CUCC by 3 wickets. Not a single man out of the 21 that took the field on 22nd June 2003 (showing that even back then, getting a full XI on the park was a challenge for the 'Nuncs) was present in this latest encounter, though John Ratledge nearly made it before he had to pull out mid-week. It was however a pair of current students who made the difference for the Quidnuncs as Waghorn (4-36) and Goodwin (44) made significant contributions.

In another break from tradition, it was CUCC who batted first and it was Waghorn who took the early inroad of the veteran Hughes. The latter, having spent much of the previous day for Granta working club bowlers all around Clare College, got too far across one and was bowled leg stump.

Chohan and Donegan put on 48 for the second wicket before Frankie Brown took his first wicket. Robin Jones - the grey streak in the side - used his cunning to really seize control of affairs with a further two wickets in 4 balls as he removed the entrenched Chohan and Seneratne.

This left two new men at the crease - CUCC and Crusaders' captains - Pollock and Agarwal respectively. They put on 34 before Agarwal was sent on his way by a combination of his and his own captain's pre-occupation. On their way back for a second run, both batsman were caught ball watching as they crashed - and the noise on the ground was enough to put anyone off their early lunches - head long into each other, knocking Agarwal cold and Pollock slightly better off, but dazed nonetheless. Agarwal retired hurt and was latterly taken off to Addenbrooke's by The Secretary. The remainder of the innings' report is thus brief, but suffice to say he was delighted to return to the ground to discover CUCC all out for 153 and the players having an early lunch.

An ominous repost came from Captain Pollock as he had Massey caught and bowled and Gus Kennedy was caught behind of Hunt. Massey showed some very brief signs of a return the elegance of '07 and the news of a return to league cricket - Shepherd's Bush the beneficiaries for 2015 - most welcome. It was a delight to see Gus Kennedy back in Light Blue colours; in the words do CUCC Secretary Anthony Hyde he 'had been returned to polite society' after his two year transfer to Oxford.

Goodwin and another former captain, Tom Eilliot took the score onto 68, the latter taking a particular liking to the medium pace of Hill before the bowler exacted revenge on him. Brown played elegantly for 22 before being bowled by Sale.

Thereafter, wickets fell at regular intervals but never with sufficient frequency to create a dressing room panic. Jones lead the 'Nuncs over the line with a mature 33 as a rather pedestrian paced day - appropriately on the day as the London Marathon - came to an end.

Fenner's was, as ever, a joy to return to for the Nuncs, and is yet again undergoing significant development at the hands of Hughes Hall. For the meantime at least, stories of balls disappearing over the Gresham Road End chestnut trees will have little meaning as the PE department and gym makes way for more accommodation. Wicket-keepers visiting Fenner's in years to come will have to be even more wary than usual as the 'Fenner's wobble' is set to be even more accentuated.

ED HOW MEMORIAL MATCH: Quidnuncs vs Free Foresters, 14th July 2013

On a blazing hot Sunday, ten Quidnuncs, resplendent to a man in Quidunc tie and Blues blazer, arrived at Fenner's for the most important game they had played since gaining their tie. Joining them was a guest, Ruari Critchard who comes up in October and a Free Foresters side full of Harlequins, Authentics, Crusaders, MCC Young Cricketers and three more 'Nuncs. Throughout the day four more 'Nuncs (Jon Ratledge, Rob Mann, Mel Ragnauth and Dudley Owen-Thomas) popped in to support and other Quidnuncs emailed their good wishes.

Ed How would have expected a competitive game and on winning the toss the'Nuncs, led by Robin Jones (Godfather to Ed's daughter Tillie), had no hesitation in batting on a very true Fenner's wicket (John Moden leaves more grass on nowadays) and asking the FF to field for a sweltering two and a quarter hours before lunch. Ed's fellow Caian and Falcon, Garri Jones opened with David Shufflebotham (who captained Ed at Hornsey CC and on the 2002 Quidnunc tour to South Africa). The two Welshman and another Hornsey alum, Andy Danson got their heads down for 90 mins and the 'Nuncs were 75 for the loss of Shuff after 25 overs against some admirably straight bowling and very determined fielding - Ed played many games and took many wickets for the FF, and Jim Fulton's team intended to pay their respects! With 30 mins left till lunch the retiring Crusaders captain and Quidnunc, Tom Maguire, put Andy Danson in his bag alongside Shuff, and the stage was set for John Carroll to press the accelerator. The Quidnuncs lunched at 140-2 off 40 overs including a massive overthrow which tested Carroll and Jones' fitness to the full; they were not found wanting and ran six!

After lunch Jones almost immediately ran himself out for 84, and when Carroll perished, for 50, in the pursuit of quick runs, along with Will House and Unmish Partharasi, it looked liked the FF's discipline had paid off. Fortunately, Imraan Mohammed skillfully counter-attacked, thoroughly re-aquainting himself with the Fenner's mid wicket boundary and allowing the 'Nuncs to declare at half-time, in the 53rd over, for 258 for 7. Fittingly, at the end, Robin Jones and David Churton, two of Ed's best friends, were enjoying themselves at the crease with Nick Haste stuck in the Pavillion with his pads on.'Twas ever thus!

The 'Nuncs then unleashed their secret weapon on the FF...Ruari Critchard, the 18 year old, 42 IB point, quick bowler from KCSW Wimbledon (Spanish at St. John's from Oct 2013) fresh from bowling at England in the Oval nets. Ruari enjoyed the extra carry at Fenner's, more than either FF opener did (captain and Harlequin Jim Fulton was caught behind off the back foot, for a Golden Duck) and certainly more than wicket keeper Churton, who extensively iced his hands over tea. At the other (bottom, as ever,) end, Haste rolled back the years by clean bowling two of the FF middle order (including 'Nunc Arnie Clarke,whom had looked set), leaving them teetering at 85-4 at tea with 13 overs bowled.

Wickets continued to fall after tea with Mohammed exerting control with flighted spin and House hitting the deck, the edge and the stumps. Only Liam Casey performed for the FF with 75 runs, wisely keeping well up with the required rate. Critchard starred in the field, running out the stranded Maguire with a flat throw, and catching a steepler in the deep despite the colliding Partharasi's attempts at finishing Ruari's career before he has had a chance to win a Blue. On the fall of the ninth wicket, the FF still needed 35 runs. However there were 9 overs left and James Heywood, Quidnunc Secretary, was striding to the wicket as the FF's last man! Suddenly the 'Nuncs realised that they could still lose this game, and a certain inner resolve was needed. Those trusty war horses Haste and House were recalled from the deep and showed that their many grey hairs were not just for show, with Heywood, caught by Danson off House to give the Nuncs victory by 25 runs with 6 overs to spare. A proper win.

There was an all-round deep sense of satisfaction that everyone, including CUCC officials and members, had done Ed justice. Ruth, Ed's widow, and Tillie were in attendance which only made the day more poignant. The last act before returning to the CUCC changing room for one last reminiscence, was to take a photo of the playing Quidnuncs sitting on Ed's bench, donated by Quidnunc friends. The bench is inscribed "EJ How 1973-2012. Blue, Falcon, Quidnunc, Hawk. LAO (with distinction). DNB"

Quidnuncs vs Harlequins, 19th May 2013

The Quidnuncs executed a perfectly timed run-chase to overcome a mammoth 280 with one wicket remaining at Arundel Castle on Sunday.

After a calamitous toss-related situation, the Quidnuncs were sentenced into the field in steady drizzle. The ‘Quins’ suspiciously Australian looking opening batsman, complete with Yellow "Western Australian Cricket Assocation" helmet, began solidly, whilst Oberoi at the other end, clearly hungry for runs, set about the bowling with relish. The run-rate scuttled along, before Hopkins received just reward in pinning Oberoi in front of middle. Spin was duly turned to, and Newman skipped up to the wicket and took two wickets in quick succession. Another yellow helmet appeared, and with the spinners struggling to grip the ball in the drizzle, the run-rate flew along up to lunch, and the ‘Nuncs despondently traipsed into the pavilion for lunch. At 180-3, a massive score looked on the cards.

The ‘Nuncs emerged somewhat slower than they have been before the interval. Noble was delighted to learn that he was required immediately after the interval, and he and Hopkins proceeded to drag us back into the match, each taking a wicket to curtail two admittedly fine innings from our Antipodean cousins. Heywood's stumping off Noble requires mention, and was one of the best pieces of cricket of the day, completed of course with a minimum of fuss. The remaining batsmen charged out to the wicket with murderous intent, hitting sometimes and missing sometimes, and the score rattled along to 280-5, and thankfully the declaration came. Note should be made of Pearson's smooth gliding around the outfield, and impeccable service into the keeper, and the seam-bowlers, who bowled manfully in difficult conditions, Hopkins receiving just reward with 3 excellent wickets.

Heywood and guest Lewis walked out to the middle in determined fashion, and in a display of excellent intent played superbly before tea, running well between the wickets and punishing the bad ball. Lewis was particularly severe through the covers, and Heywood's languid strokeplay delighted the ‘Nuncs sitting anxiously in the pre-tea period. We went to tea at 83-0, and the chase was very much on.

Unfortunately the final session of the day, with 200 needed in a little under 2 hours, got off to the worst possible start, as first Heywood and then Pearson, to the dismay of the purists, were dismissed in quick succession. Captain Brown entered the fray, and the score advanced steadily, until Lewis, nearing what would have been an excellent century, was beaten by a perfectly flighted delivery from Oberoi and bowled through the gate. Munday, so often the nemesis of Cambridge batsmen, was finding slow turn, and with 130 still required and the last hour approaching, the pressure was on the ‘Nuncs. Newman came and went quickly, having to retire hurt after pulling up whilst attempting a quick single.

With wickets and time running out, the ‘Nuncs managed to keep up with the run-rate, with Brown rotating the strike steadily, and valuable cameos were played by Bearfield-Smith and Ashton, both striking the ball well and scoring quickly. With 32 required from 5 overs, the chase seemed to be on track. As always however, a wicket changes matters, and Brown was left starved of the strike as Bearfield -Smith skied one, and Hopkins came and went. A couple of tight overs from the spinners saw 9 required from the final over. With all of the fielders on the boundary, Noble was caught at short fine-leg, and Newman, complete with Pearson as dignified runner, emerged heroically from the pavilion. Brown was on strike, and struck a 2 to leave 7 required from 3 balls. Munday flighted a leg-break, and Brown smote the ball far into the air, clearing the hapless long-on for a monstrous six. The field was duly brought in, and Brown hopped down the track and drilled the ball over the bowlers head to see the ‘Nuncs to a superb victory in the gathering gloom, ending 98 not out.

Frankie Brown 21/May/2013

Quidnuncs vs Free Foresters, 12th August 2012

In their last game of a rain ruined 2012, The Quidnuncs were unable to force a victory on the Free Foresters, despite the potential activity of Quidnunc 'moles' in the opposition in the form of Arnie Clarke and Anurag Singh.

Match manager Heywood and Captain Timms departed a little earlier than necessary to CoLF, but on arrival were greeted with a stunning view over the ground with a scene often missing from 2012 - sun, a dry wicket (as it turned out, very dry) and the beautiful backdrop of the school building. Remarkably inserted by FF captain Tom Cox, Heywood has his work cut out deciding in which order to place the 6 opening batsmen that had made themselves available. Alas, it seemed that between themselves they thought they would all have a go as the FF in the form of Snape and Paget reduced the Nuncs to 36-4.

A rallying partnership from Timms and Deasy brought the score back to a more manageable state of affairs. Deasy (38), eyeing a whopping lunch holed out to deep square leg 10 minutes before. A decent feed was had by all as it happened, though not without a struggle to gain access to the building.

Resuming after the protracted interval, Timms and Brown extended the Nuncs' position to something much more manageable, with Timms racing from 50 to 97 in quick time, particularly taking advantage of the bowling of Hoskins. The outgoing Blues captain was eventually stumped as he tried to get to three figures in one hit.

Whilst there was some concern on the journey to the ground from match manager Heywood about the fact that none of his charges considered themselves an out and out bowler, this was quickly dispelled as Brown took the new ball and immediately extracted prodigious turn on a good looking, but not always well behaved pitch. Cook bowled manfully from the bottom end after 18 months out of the game and with Anurag Singh returning to the game after a very long break, the close in fielders risked being entangled in the ensuing cobwebs.

As ever, a run out produced the first wicket of Mawson and after a brief burst of runs, mostly off the generous offerings of Grammer by Paget (44), wickets fell at regular intervals preventing the FF from building any serious partnerships. Maguire took over from Cook and produced 3 wickets from 11 overs of tidy medium pace. Brown continued either side of tea with his own 3-for as he toiled away for 20 unchanged overs. Timms, marshalling the troops with his usual skill, came on for five overs of prodigiously turning off-breaks with a 1930s style field. Alas, 8 wickets were all that the Nuncs could prise out and the 2012 season drew to a close for the Quidnuncs.

Quidnuncs vs Harlequins, 20th May 2012

The Quidnuncs dished out a victory much like their resident colleagues have been issuing as they defeated the Harlequins by 142 runs at Arundel.

The Secretary travelled to the South Coast with a young side (he and the veteran Noble both capping the seniority ranks both in hairline and with their 29 years) full of beans and raring to go in what can only be described so far as Annus dampsquibbus. 3 residents, including the CUCC captain and Nunc Committee man Timms were included in the XI to provide much needed match practice ahead of the 5th Varsity T/20 fixture a week later.

That his car should have resembled a murder scene on arrival was perhaps only an omen of the carnage that Captain Heywood was to oversee on the field. Timms and Bartholomew, the latter fresh from what we are told was a classy 7 for Shepherds' Bush 3rd XI the day previously, added 122 for the first wicket. Timms fell on his sword as he was run out and Bartholomew was joined by Anand Ashok, the pair adding 47 before lunch.

Ashok fell the second ball after the interval, perhaps taking his captain's instruction of 'continue playing with gay abandon' a little too literally. Commander Pearson completed an elegant 11 with Brown and Kennedy stalling the declaration a fraction. The Devonian Hickey added much needed impetus to the end of the innings with 29 of the least complicated runs you were likely to see. Bartholomew tested the captain's resolve as he blocked an entire over whilst on 99 before completing a well deserved century; the standard of cricket in the capital clearly being very high, he may still need to do more to make the Bush's 2s.

The one way traffic continued with the ball. Frankie Brown snared a low slip catch of Hopkins to start what was a reasonably steady rot. Kennedy completely dissolved the notion that wicket-keeper's can't throw as he completed a ruinous day for former Dark Blue captain Nick woods - the latter being run out by several yards going for the third. One could not possibly comment on whether the Members were to be heard grumbling at such indecency on the part of the Quidnuncs - the wind having forced many into their cars.

Wickets fell continuously before and after tea with 6 bowled and 2 lbw. Robin Kemp's dismissal of Paul Selvey-Clinton being the most comical, the batsman resembling Chris Read against Chris Cairns in 1999, clearly forgetting that the unorthodox Kemp released the ball whilst in mid-air. Kemp's figures of 10-6-16-1 were the most economical but the wickets were shared around - 3-fers for Noble and Hickey, the latter completing a very fine day personally, as well as the victory by castling Chris Stearn with half and hour to play.

We are indebted to our new match sponsor, Mr. Nigel Wood. Mr Wood is a life member at the Castle Ground and we would very much like to thank him for his very generous support.

Quidnuncs vs Harlequins, 24th July 2011

The inaugural ‘Nuncs/Quins’ was an overwhelming success, despite the presence of persistently damp conditions. In the gloom of Dulwich, the pink ball was positively luminous as it flew around the small Prep School Ground. Stand in captain Newman elected to bowl first and found himself most pleased with an excellent start from Hopkins and Hemingway. However, the absence of a 5th bowler rendered the ‘Nuncs ability to keep the score below 150 virtually impossible as the combination of Owen and Chervak claimed 1-59 in four overs. Nonetheless, tight work from Danson and again Hopkins at the death kept the score to 167, Millar top scoring with 73.

In reply Cambridge found the probing seam of Morse and the accurate spin of McMahon too much and were always behind the rate. Insult was added to injury as three ‘Nuncs batsmen were dismissed by the loaned gloves of ‘Nuncs keeper Heywood, including the latter as he fell on his sword to be stumped by a yard. Lusty hitting from Hemingway and Hopkins, once again forming a formidable partnership bumped the score up to a respectable 153. The result may have been altogether different had a contribution from the former Secretary materialised. Sadly however, the only driving he was to be doing was on the M11 as the Quidnuncs were forced to spend the evening with 10 men.

Players from both teams remarked on the excellent format and venue and there will most certainly be more such fixtures to follow. Thanks must go to Tom Savill for his organisation and to Anush Newman for his assistance, particularly after Tom was rushed to hospital with appendicitis. We all wish him a speedy recovery.

Quidnuncs vs Harlequins, 22nd May 2011

The Quidnuncs responded positively to their defeat a fortnight earlier by defeating the Harlequins by 6 wickets at Arundel Castle. The victory was all the sweeter having been bowled out for 69 in the same fixture last year.

Having been asked to field by ‘Quins skipper Nick Woods, Stand in captain Heywood must have thought all of Chrsitmas’ had come at once, reducing the opposition to 26-4 – a scoreline that he was more familiar seeing his for his own team during his long span of Varsity cricket. Alas, the combination of the classy Woods and the combative Stearn took the sting out of the ‘Nuncs attack with a 5th wicket partnership of 204. Thomas Probert lived up to his name by bowling a consistent and probing line, claiming 3-17 by lunch. David Noble rolled back the years as his first spell of 7 overs went for 23 claiming the wicket of Paul McMahon. Kemp, returning for his first game back after recovering from a hamstring injury, continued the pressure with an excellent line and length, and should have had Stearn caught behind. The thick edge went down as Heywood, standing up to the wicket, couldn’t get enough on it. Two exploratory overs before lunch from Newman did little but cause the fielders to explore the long grass over the boundary, but at 97-4, ‘Nuncs Secretary was happy.

After lunch however, the wicket flattened out and the bowlers lost their consistency. Woods continued on his merry way and the ball got closer and closer to the middle of Stearn’s bat. By the time the pair had but on 200 for the 5th wicket, the former Oxford medium pacer/keeper/middle order player had hit 3 fours in front of square. The declaration came as Woods fell for 131 to the returning Noble and at 230-5 and with a rusty ‘Nuncs top order, a good score seemed to have been posted.

In reply however, ‘Nuncs openers Deasy and Bartholomew had other ideas as they repelled the threat from a battery of 5 Quins seamers; never has this fixture seen so much medium pace bowling with ‘Nuncs providing four of their own. Deasy was the first to go for 54, with the score on 118 and as Bartholomew continued to take a leaf out of the Stearn book of ‘Run making; using the edge’, Commander Pearson continued on the good work. Bartholomew fell and was replaced by former 2007 skipper Massey.

The game hung in the balance, two spinners with already several overs under their belt this summer in the form of McMahon and Woods, and two batsmen with a combined balls faced of 10 in the last 9 months. It was the Cambridge duo however that prospered as Massey in particular favoured the leg-side to great effect. Despite much spluttering from the Members, Massey muscled his way to 54, with Pearson contributing 33 in a 3rd wicket partnership of 50. Noble eventually aided Massey to the victory target in the last over.

The Quidnuncs’ next fixture is the inaugural T20 game, again versus the Harlequins at Dulwich College Prep School on 24th June. Please contact Tom Savill or Anush Newman if you wish to play.

CUCC vs Quidnucs, May 8th 2011

CUCC won by 3 wickets after a tremendous fight back by Kennedy and Bahl as the pair put on over 50 for the 8th wicket. A full report of the match can be found on the main CUCC news page.

Quidnuncs vs Free Foresters, July 25th 2010

The Quidnuncs snatched a last-over victory against the Free Foresters at City of London Freemen's School. A full report of the match can be found on the main CUCC news page.

Quidnuncs vs CUCC, June 27th 2010

CUCC won by 69 runs. Please see the main CUCC News page for a full match report.

Quidnuncs v Harlequins, May 9th 2010

In these times of current social and political uncertainty, it was refreshing to see a display of absolute dominance as the Quidnuncs lined up against the Harlequins at Arundel. Whilst the Quidnunc effort did not quite hit the lows of the BNP in this recent election (they did actually take some wickets and score a few runs), the performance was a poor one. Chasing 229 for victory on a typically good Arundel wicket, the coming and going of Quidnunc batsmen certainly did not resemble the situation outside many a polling station at 21:50h on May 6th, in that the flow of personnel was frequent and regular. Harlequins’ Amit Suman, Paul McMahon and James McAdam all took 3 wickets as the ‘Nuncs were skittled for 70.

Earlier, the Harlequins were twice pegged back by the accurate and at times hostile swing bowling of Matt Friedlander (Guest – 5-56); initially finding themselves at 40-5 and again at 168-8 – Neil Millar (73) and Paul McMahon (28) putting on 84 for the 5th wicket. A late onslaught of 53* by Amit Suman took the Harlequins score to their respectable total.

Overall, The Harlequin’s performance was a thorough and savage one – resembling something of the competition between the invading ladybird beetle of the same name and its British relatives.

Thanks must go to our new match sponsor, ‘Sportspages’ for making the day a possibility.