May Bank Holiday provided the inspiration for Limpley Stoke Cricket Club to notch up their first win of the season against a typically buoyant Canal Tavern side.

A gentleman’s agreement decided the order of play with Tavern batting first and the multi-racial Limpley Stoke team, including a South African, an Indian, an Arab and a Eunuch, took to the field and so began a frustrating fielding performance for the capacity crowd to endure. The opening bowlers in Norris and Kendall looked to persevere on a good line and length to restrict the opposition into a slow and at times mundane start. Chances were few and far between and Hannel decided on a double change with Mowen and Sharky brought in at either end. This bold and some may say irresponsible ploy led to the floodgates being opened as Mowen was routinely despatched to every corner of the ground. Sharky, although accurate with his line allowed his length to shorten and so some strong offside drives increased the run rate and ensured a solid platform for Tavern to open their shoulders and look for a decent total.

Limpley Stoke required inspiration from any quarter and so cometh the hour, cometh the man. Feehan, the Tavern opener who had looked to dominate the bowlers from the word go, smashed a short wide one off Sharky deep out to extra cover. After diving wonderfully to his right and taking the ball cleanly, Gregory had his sights set on only one thing. With a cool aplomb, he steadied himself and with only one stump to aim at, catapulted the ball 60 yards to remove the bails. A moment of brilliance to behold that will be talked about by all present for many a year. Feehan was stunned, yet the furore and jubilation of Gregory’s humbled team mates was deafening. They all loved him and wanted to be him and he knew it. If time could stand still then that would be the moment clocks would stop for Limpley Stoke and their followers.

After some 20 minutes of applause and celebrations the game carried on with what could only be post climactic interest.

Hannel rang the changes and with himself and Kendall coming on, the proceedings proceeded with Kendall the racist, capturing the only 2 other scalps of the innings. A total of 160 had been posted and with past performances in mind, a very competitive target set.

After what can only be described as a magnificent feast, Richard A and Twist reunited in the openers fold, took to the bowling with Richards looking particularly comfortable against an experienced Tavern attack. Twist fell early bringing in Bush at the number 3 spot. He looked to dominate from the off, but when he fell for 15, things looked ominous. Kendall smashed 29 off fewer deliveries, yet when he was out the writing seemed to be on the wall. Clark was in and out and hope now was pinned on the fired up Richards and the talented Gregory. After 2 comfortable defensive stokes, Gregory received an absolute jaffa. An unplayable ball on off stump took him and sundry by surprise and a brilliant catch by the bowler sent him packing. Supporters and players alike could have been excused for leaving now as the result had been written.

Written, but for one man. A. Richards was in no mood for submission and after Hannel had gone and Mowen instated, the ship sailed on to a poetic win.

Richards from beginning to end was sublime, punishing anything loose and nicking many a single. Mowen gave him admirable support with a bullying 30 not, but the crowds will remember the cool 50 fashioned by Richards.

A good win for Limpley puts them back on track, the game itself however will be remembered for one incident. When writers talk about Shane Warne, they speak of ‘that ball’, and now in the same breath, they will talk about ‘that moment’. An episode in history was made today at Monkton Combe by Nick Gregory, cherished and endeared by all, who can forget ‘THAT MOMENT’.

The end.

Nick Gregory

Team:

N Twist, A Richards, T Bush, L Kendall, J Clark, N Gregory, T Hannel*, M Owen, C Underdown, M Tyrie, J Norris.