Burford Cup Final

Match Report

Summer was in full flow. The sun had baked L’Oval and the ground looked a picture. Circles of lush green grass encircled the square. The magnificent luminous scarecrow had kept the crows away and the ground was at its quintessential English village best.

The occasion – The inaugural Burford (Not Dave) Cup final. Not a small village cup final…not a trivial affair and not something that was to be taken lightly. For some…this was their moment. Their cup final. Their chance at glory and a place in history…or maybe it was just the captain that was romantically fantasising about the gravitas of the occasion. 

The build up to the game felt desperate. The captain wished to have a side out worthy of the most prestigious event since the tug of war team brought home gold. First look and gun all rounder and club pro Willy Mac was unavailable. Next, prodigious leg spinner and athlete Max was unavailable. Finally on the eve of the game, premier bowler and master of normal T20 proceedings Tam ‘Jean Claude’ Van Tran unavailable. This was at def con 5.

These guys had bowled 12 of the overs that had got the mighty Loons past Ashling in what is being affectionately referred to as a semi more pleasurable than a GCSE class with ‘that teacher’.

However, our club has a pool of players that Michael Phelps would feel pleasure to swim in. Up stepped Messrs Maclean of the Die Hard variety…Ford of the 7 foot 9 variety and Sessions a man with such tugging prowess he has forearms the size of Popeye.

The skipper wandered out to the crease having learnt from his semi final mistakes with a coin. However, for the third time in 3 games, he lost the toss. Westbourne – who had put their foot on the throat of Prof and his valiant Chidham Chums in the second semi final were their opponents. Westbourne chose to bowl and Lavant were appreciative of the chance to put runs on the board.

Out stepped the fearsome opening partnership of Bairstow and Roy (Correction Iain and Joe). Joking aside, these two have opened for a while and our recent success in this format has often been set up by early retirements and men in the hutch.

However, this day was going to take a rather dramatic turn. Second ball and trying to aim the ball through mid wicket, Iain succumbed to a catch at mid on. 

Striding out to the crease at 3 was a man in form. Runs in all formats and at all levels. First ball a huge stride and cover drive. This inspired confidence in us all. However, after looking a million dollars, Steve D fell in similar fashion, having time to berate himself as the ball was in the air.

In at 4 Willem. Thigh pad on show like a Spartan with his shield, he has every right to feel the cricketing gods are against him. As an honest assessment, Willem can count himself unfortunate. Undone by a ball that kept low.

At 5 was Lloyd. Beard bristling and looking grizzly, menacing. He played a sensible knock playing some good shots to mid wicket and cover. He too was bowled. He looked the part though.

The score at this point was 32 for 4. It is worth noting the bowling performance of the opposition captain. 4 overs 4 for 12. He was disciplined, hard to hit, bustling in and giving his all for his team. Well bowled sir…well bowled indeed.

Around this chaos, was a picture of serenity. You’d have to have good eye sight or a fabulously fashionable pair of specs in order to witness the way in which Joe went about his run making. He pushed and nurdled, he drove and cut. He batted in difficult circumstances and not only put runs on the board but stood up when he was needed. The comfort in the rest of the line up knowing he was in the hutch is almost impossible to describe.

Chris at 6 was unable to repeat previous heroics and Will at 8 was by all accounts (bar one 😉 )unfortunate to succumb. But man – what a good looking middle order!!

Steve Brooker – a man for every occasion – a utility knife as it were. Useful, timeless, classic and at some points deadly. Shiny helmet on proud display for all to see…he really is a marvel. His sausage is talked about more than anyones I know. However, with such genius comes destruction. Steve obviously thinking we already had too many at 48 for 6 and 63 for 7 knocked his own stumps out the ground. Either that, or he doesn’t like the innovation of coloured stumps and zinger bails and tried to destroy them?

At 10 came the skipper. He and Martin utilised their experience to target getting past 100. Martin played fabulously – commenting on every ball – the two laughed, giggled, encourage and managed to get there. Martin retiring in what proved a crucial partnership.

Kier ‘Captain Tugwash’ Sessions came in at 11. After Sunday, 11 I hear you cry. Testament to the quality of the team I reply! He took this form into the match. Now, 5 does not sound much but the way he took on some tough conditions and the reaction to his boundary says it all. Gutsy, gritty and determined. He got us to 108 when it could have been less. They might prove crucial runs!

Joe and Martin came back and were bowled. On reflection, I think this demonstrates how tricky it was to get going on the wicket. 108 all out in 19.2 overs. Hmmmm.

The half time chat was about resilience. It was about camaraderie. It was about team culture. It was saying we all wanted to win but it would not come at the cost of our broader principles. 

What came next was some of the best cricket I have ever been part of. We have all played different standards, have different reasons for playing, have passion for the game. If you didn’t enjoy that…I don’t think you can love the game. Epic.

To everyone involved…I am grateful. From my teammates. To the opposition. To Mark and Robin for guiding the club so well. To seeing Will and Tam turn up and feeling how much they wanted it for those team mates in the field. To wives, partners, girlfriends, children, friends all cheering and supporting. To Keith cooking the bbq. It made it feel really special. A huge huge thank you.

Will ‘T-Rex’ ‘The Apex Predator’ ‘Groundsman Willie’ T was tasked with setting the tone. He did not disappoint. A wicket second ball. Caught in the ring. He has been the standout bowler this year. Often getting wickets and often breaking partnerships. He did a super job with 3 overs 1 for 10. What a start! Did I mention he had the best moustache in the game?

At the other end, Martin Ford, all 8’ 2’’. He is class. A pleasure to watch. Especially from deep cover. He bowled with control and pace and made it very hard to release any pressure. He initially bowled 2 overs 1-8 having bowled the dangerous number 3 for 1 run. I think the effect of holding back 2 overs was psychologically impactful. 

Kier took over from T-Rex. 9 balls of dreamy line and length bowling. He really is improving every game! A sharp caught and bowled went down and a serious finger injury (See WhatsApp). A couple of short ones to follow but a great effort. A real pleasure to have in the team. 

Steve ‘HeHe’ Brooker next. He just does it. I genuinely hope he knows firstly how much we respect his cricket legacy and his contribution to the playing side but also how he adds so much value to the team. Steve – you make us all better – now move a bit to the left please!! He bowled 3 tidy overs and kept Westbourne behind the 8 ball. 

Both Kier and Steve had Willy Mac’s overs to bowl. Seeing as Will goes at 0.8 an over and even makes me think cricket is boring, this is no easy feat. They were brilliant. Well done both.

The skip was on next. He drew on experience to bowl full and straight – he has erased the long hop that got hit for four from both the match report and his memory. 4 overs 1-11 was good for a bowler who has at least 2 boundary balls an over in his arsenal.

Next, was a game changing moment. Martin brought on for a 3rd over. First ball vindicated the captain’s decision as he flattened the openers stumps. Not out of the ground like the captain’s but some bowlers are just ‘so fast’ . That over went for 1 wicket and three runs. It was go time.

Chris ‘John’ Maclean was next. The question was on everyone’s mind. Long run up handsome athlete or middle aged lumbering pie chucker? You know what we got!!

Chris simply bowled the spell of his life. Length perfect, movement prodigious and lots of control. Well for 3 excellent overs. He was on a hat-trick…with the help of an excellent catch from Joe. He covered ground, dived forward and clung on to a great grab.

The last over was something that will live long in the memory. If the first three overs showed skill. The final one showed heart and courage. A moment of worry slipped across fielder’s faces as wide…no ball…wide etc suddenly appeared. But C-Mac steeled himself and finished off an excellent spell at the death. 4 overs 2 for 25.

One over left from Martin. The 9 foot 5 bowler was an imposing sight. However, he had other plans…a drive struck straight back past him. However, class is permanent. A tidy end and the game was won. Surely worthy of a new mention on his Wikipedia page.

BURFORD CUP CHAMPIONS Loons win by 7 runs.

The bowling analysis does not do it justice. All 6 bowlers were fabulous. A captain’s dream. 

However, the win was not the product of bowling skill. It was:

Work rate

Appetite

Never Say Die attitude

Keeping together

Energy

Resilience

Standards

This epitomised our fielding performance. Steve and Joe were electric in the infield. Chris and Martin were imposing at mid on and off. Kier, Steve and Willem all pressed the one. Will T and Justin patrolled the boundaries. 

Iain stood up and was an imposing presence. He always is a cut above. He influenced 2 run outs with a calm and methodical approach. I for one am happy to sacrifice both his knees for the greater good. 

Lloyd was epic. 20 overs of third man to third man. He stopped so many runs in a game that was close. He is an absolute gun fielder. A win by 7 runs. Lloyd must have stopped 20. 

We have game changers in the field. A shout out to Willem who I heard encouraging me every ball of my spell. What a place to be on a Monday night!

Do I love it too much…possibly. Does It speak to a lot of flawed character traits…probably. But honestly…3 days later and I am still buzzing.

I hope Robin and the Burford clan felt warmth and affection. I have been at Lavant 4 years. It is my cricket club. 50 years is an unbelievable association. In many roles, Robin has been a part of the club. It stands today as a result of those that came before us. I hope we do It justice in how we leave it when we move on. This cup will hopefully maintain that legacy for another 50 years.

To everyone who helped. Mark – there for all 3 games to set up and take down. To Chris for helping me organise the bbq. To Steve for booking 3 nights with no idea of what I was doing!! To Will T for endless hours on the square. Thank you. We have so many giving so much. Impressive club culture.

Afterwards was lovely. When I didn’t play for a decade it was the beer (Pepsi max) after a win that I missed the most. This was perfect. Credit to Westbourne. Both on and off the field they were a class act. What an end to the evening. Hanging out with friends retelling the glory or funny moments. Social connection, shared experience and the warmth of friendship. 

Game Changing Moment: 

I’m giving this to Martin for his vicious Yorker to bowl the Westbourne opener. Lethal, emphatic and perfectly timed.

Champagne Moment:

Joe’s catch. Athletic, brave and skilful. 

Balls of Steel Moment:

Chris Mac for holding it together when he could have crumbled

The Marathon Man award:

Lloyd. The team moved 76.9 km in the field. Lloyd was responsible for 76.2 of these. Epic effort.

The Chess Move Moment Award

Iain for his run out when trying to run to the keeper. I’ll show you…

The Hard as Nails Award:

Kier for carrying on with a brutally busted finger.

The Nut Cup Support Award:

Willem. I was nervous bowling and could hear him every ball. I loved it.

Best Cover Drive Off Your First Ball Award:

Steve Day…. Oh boy!

The Relationship Breaker Award:

Bye bye opening partnership platform from Will T…ever reliable

The Rolls Royce Award:

Steve Brooker – it is the sausage of all sausages.

The Best Winning Captain in Burford Cup History Award:

You know it.

I can’t do justice to it but if you were there, you know.

Man of the Match: Well done and congratulations to Robin on 50 years at the club. Go Loons.