TEAM SO FAR FOR FIXTURE AGAINST WITNEY RFC

Here are the Tigers in the ambush so far for the game against Witney RFC:

(In no particular order)

• John Grain 
• Cam Newton-Grain 
• Chris Grain (Capt.) 
• Rob Webb 
• Stuart Duff 
• Ed Juszczak 
• James Harrison 
• Mick Donegan
• Baz Floyd

Two more places left Tigers. Best get your responses to me super-quick if you want to play.

Cheers to all the Tigers who have let me know their availability so far ...

Chris Grain ... leading the Tigers v Witney RFC on 13 May

30 APRIL NETS CANCELLED

Sorry guys but the deluge of rain across Oxfordshire this weekend means that nets at Charlbury CC tomorrow (Monday) night are cancelled.

I've just spoken by email to Charlbury Goundsman, Scoop, and he's not even been able to get out on the middle over the last few days.

I know you want the practice (and after last season, goodness knows, we all NEED the practice) but its just not possible this week. Sorry.

CONGRATULATIONS ALAN

This blog is about cricket. It's also all about the Tigers who play cricket for SpecialEffect.

And for that reason, I'd like to invite any Tiger who is celebrating a milestone in their life to send in a picture and a bit of text to let us all know. 

First up is Tigers' WMD Steve 'Alan' Brackley who, on Friday, left the NHS after years of providing first rate nursing care to take up a new position in the private sector. 

Because we're representing a charity, I won't give Alan's reasons for leaving a job he loved (Alan's a bowler. He's not keen on cuts, late or otherwise) but I am going to show you the cake his colleagues made him for his leaving do.

Johnners would have loved this one ...

Best of luck in your new job mate.

'Alan' Brackley ... cut him at your peril

TIGERS CALL UP FOR GAME AGAINST WITNEY RFC

Right Tigers, the call up for the first game of the season is out.

If you're able to play against Witney RFC on 13 May, get an email to me ASAP.

As always, selection is on a first to respond basis.

Contact: setigersxi@yahoo.co.uk

DID HE REALLY SAY THAT?

"Sean Pollock there, a carbon copy of his dad. Except he's a bit taller and he's got red hair"

Trevor Bailey (1923 - 2011)

England all-rounder and TMS legend

Thanks to Crombie Jardine Publishing Limited

VENUE CONFIRMATION

Just had confirmation that the game between Audley Ducks CC and SpecialEffect Tigers CC on Sunday 24 June will be at West Witney CC.

Thanks to Charlie Read of the Ducks for booking with Witney Town Council.

NET PRACTICE STARTS 30 APRIL 2012

SpecialEffect Tigers net practice starts 30 April 2012 at Charlbury CC (18.30 - 20.30)

Charlbury under 15's have a home game that night so we will need to share the nets with the batsmen who are waiting to go in. They will have the net nearest the outfield while we have been allocated the other two.

As always guys, no spikes and no bad language. We have use of the nets thanks to the generosity of Charlbury CC so lets be respectful, eh?

TIGER MAKES INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY TOP 100

Here's the perfect antidote to the Sunday Times top 100 richest people in the UK (who nobody I know, other than Major Donor fundraisers, care about anyway).

It's the Independent on Sunday's top 100 people who make Britain a better place. That's right. They make Britain a better place. They're not self-serving, more-money-than-I-could-use-in-a-lifetime accumulators ... they help other people.

I'm proud to report that our very own Dr Mick Donegan, Founder of SpecialEffect and Tigers stalwart is amongst this year's top 100.

Mick, we're really proud of you. Hat's off. No, I mean take that straw hat off.

Here's the link to the IoS online: 

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/news/the-ios-happy-list-2012--the-100-7661358.html

Hats off Mick ... really, take that hat off

And, if you can't be bothered to go to IoS online (it does run really, really slowly because of the enormous number of ads), here's a screen grab of our Mick's 'bit' ...

Mick, you're awesome mate. Now start getting us some runs ...

TIGERS SUNDAY UPDATE

Well, I've run out of material for the MEET THE TEAM feature now. Thanks to all the Tigers who contributed. If you've still not got round to submitting yours, don't worry because you still can. Just pop your questionnaire and photo to me and I'll get it up on the blog.

So, instead of MEET THE TEAM, I'll give you a quick update on what's happened on the Tigers' front this week. 

Firstly, we still don't have a venue for our first match of the season against Witney RFC on 13th May. 

Charlbury and Combe Cricket Clubs can't accommodate us and Tower Hill Boys FC are using the West Witney CC facilities all weekend for their 6-a-side competition. That means West Witney CC have been pushed down to The Leys, so we can't play there either.

I've been speaking to Robbie Mills from Witney RFC and he's going to be talking to a friend of his this weekend. I won't say where he's trying to get the match played ... but it's a nice venue. As soon as Robbie comes back to me with the venue, I'll be sending out the call-up email for the Witney RFC match ... could be as early as tomorrow.

We've also had three new Tigers joined the ambush this week. Welcome to Andy Compton, Jack Frowde and Dan Raymond-Barker. We look forward to seeing all three of you during the summer.

That's it for now. Keep your eye out for the Witney RFC call-up.

FRIDAY SPECIALEFFECT UPDATE

 Mick Donegan (Left), making the UK a better place ... in a straw hat

Right guys, it's Friday.

Before you rush off to the IZI Bar or open your first bottle of Blue Nun take a quick look at what the guys and girls at SpecialEffect have been up to this week.

But before you do, here's a newsflash from Nick Streeter about Top Tiger, Mick Donegan:

'We have just heard that Mick after being nominated  by a parent has been named in the Independent On Sunday Happy List of the 100 outstanding people who make the UK a better place.  Mick being Mick is as normal being very modest about it. All great awareness that will hopefully help to raise the profile of the charity.

This Sunday, the Independent on Sunday publishes its fifth annual Happy List, naming 100 outstanding people whose volunteering, caring, fund-raising, mentoring, charity founding, or selflessness makes Britain a more contented, better-adjusted, supportive, and happier place.'

Now you can head over to see the update ... 

http://www.specialeffect.org.uk/pages/news97.htm

Update courtesy of Tiger, Mark Saville. Thanks Mark!

SUMMERS PAST: SPECIALEFFECT TIGERS CC v AUDLEY DUCKS CC

Right, we're nearly at the end of our Summers Past feature now. That's just as well because the Tigers have their first game of the 2012 season coming up against Champions Witney RFC on 13th May ... that's champions at rugby, not cricket.

After the mauling at the palace by Blenheim Park CC, and in particular THAT innings, we were looking to bounce back against our mates Audley Ducks. Well we were better but, as you'll see from the scorecard, Charlie and the Ducks still had our batsmen reeling.

We don't have the Ducks batting card but I'm pretty sure we lost by 6 wickets.

The star of the day surely had to be Charlie Read of Audley Ducks with 6-3-5-5. And for the Tigers? Well, not much too shout about but Chris Ellis (pictured) came in with a top score of 19.

Don't worry Tigers bowlers. We'll see Charlie and the lads soon and I'll see if I can get the Ducks batting/Tigers bowling then.

Chris Ellis ... n-n-n-n-n-nineteen

And the scorecard ...

The coming weekend will see us revisit a scorching hot 24th July at the beautiful Charlbury CC. After a dismal couple of batting performances, the Tigers step out for their last weekend game of 2011 against our old mates and (in a few of our cases) ex-colleagues at Oxfam CC.

DID HE REALLY SAY THAT?

"Sorry skipper. A leopard can't change his stripes"

Len Pascoe apologising to his captain for bowling bouncers

Thanks to Crombie Jardine Publishing Limited

MEET THE TEAM: ANDY COMPTON (part 2)

 He's back!

Okay, so Andy had to leave his interview earlier tonight after reports of outsiders approaching from the Wilcote side of the village.

They've been dealt with now ... nobody go near Hunt's Copse for a while okay?

So Andy, after all the excitement, here's the rest of your questions mate:

Who is your all time sporting hero? Eric Cantona

What's the strangest or funniest thing you've ever seen on a cricket field?

Playing for Witney Swifts, an old lady casually walked her dog across the square during a match, the dog relieved itself on the edge of the square, she left it steaming and walked off, we were too shocked to say anything.

You can have four people round to dinner, past or present, who would they be and why?

1.     Dickie Bird – Hes a Legend.

2.     Eric Cantona – For the after dinner conversation

3.     Robert Plant – A bit of a sing song and all that.

4.     Marilyn Monroe – someone has to do the dishes.

(Blogger note: You do know Robert Plant is a Wolves supporter Andy, right? And you'd still want him in your house? Okay mate, it's your call ...)

You've got £100 to spend. What do you buy?

½ a tank of diesel!!!!!!! 

Excellent. Cheers Andy and thanks again for THAT picture. See you very soon mate.

 

 

MEET THE TEAM: ANDY COMPTON

Andy Compton

He's from Finstock ... and he's on the loose!

 Tonight's MEET THE TEAM feature focuses on our very latest addition to the ambush. 

I'm proud to say that Andy, like many of the other Tigers, has spent a good part of his life in Finstock. In fact, up here, he's better known for resurrecting Finstock football club than for his cricketing skills ... but he certainly is a cricketer too.

Take it away Andy Compton ...

Name: Andy Compton

Date of Birth: 18th November 1969

Where were you born Andy? Watlington, Oxfordshire

What do you do for a living mate?  Sales and Marketing for Sheehan Haulage. Skip Hire and Aggregates 

And what do you do cricket-wise?  Defensive batsman (No 11, there for the draw) Was a fast opening seam bowler, but that was 20 odd years ago. Have been known to spin a bit.

Have you got a favourite cricket team? Yes, Gloucestershire. I played for them at youth level so should support them really.

Do you have a favourite cricketer?  Jack Russell, very nice bloke always has time for kids and to talk cricket. Derek Randal was my first choice but he’s been nicked already.

  

What's your earliest cricketing memory?   

Personally- My 8o 7m 7w 8r for Wood Green School v King Alfred Wantage.

On TV: Lilley caught Willey bowled Dilley

What are the best and worst grounds you've ever played at? 

Best = Bristol (County Ground)

Worst = Kingston Bagpuize (back in the 80s 90s it was like crazy paving with the slabs included)

What's your favourite fielding position? Anywhere close to the bat where I don’t have time to think about the catch.

What's your favourite other sport? Football

Are you any good at it?  Not for me to say but I did score a decisive header for Finstock in a cup semi once, Mr Streeter will vouch for that.

Which sport do you find most boring?  Snooker, any athletics over 200m, Fishing (Is that a sport?)

Andy is saving the remaining questions for another day. I think he probably had some pelts to collect, part-time American servicemen to hunt down across the swamps ... or something like that.

Cheers Andy and welcome to the Tigers mate!

NEW TIGER JOINS THE AMBUSH

Being a Finstock lad myself, I'm chuffed to bits to welcome Andy Compton to the SpecialEffect Tigers.

Here in Finstock, Andy is well known for his football (he resurrected Finstock FC as AC Finstock and in the years since, they've reached the Witney and District Premier Division). Andy points out that he hasn't played cricket for a good few years but in his younger days he did open the bowling for Gloucestershire U18's.

Andy's a great bloke and I'm sure you'll all join me in welcoming him to the Tigers.

Hopefully his Meet the Team will follow soon ...

MEET THE TEAM: ED JUSZCZAK

Tonight's MEET THE TEAM feature is a man that troubles opposition scorers more than any other Tiger. And that's before he's even put bat to ball or sent a delivery down.

Why? Well, you try writing 'Juszczak' when it's been shouted at you from square leg by some bloke with an Oxfordshire accent. Who'd be a scorer, eh?

But what about the man himself? From his team mates' point-of-view, Ed is simply a really lovely guy. He loves his cricket and, in his sons Tom and Ross, will probably be responsible for raising two county cricket stars of the future. 

So come on, there's your introduction mate ... let's hear from you now

Name: Ed Juszczak. That's J-U-S-Z-C-Z-A-K.

Date of birth? 1963

Where were you born, Ed? Nottingham

How do you earn a living then mate? I'm a statto and run a Clinical Trials Unit at the University investigating ways to care for sick mothers and babies    

What do you do cricket-wise? Geoffrey would say "he can't bat, he can't bowl, I hope he can catch". Sadly I'm equally bad at everything (Blogger note: Do you see a theme developing here, reader? All Tigers seem to be very hard on themselves .. how very British of us)

Who are your favourite cricket teams? England and Notts

And your favourite player? Derek 'Rags' Randall

What's your earliest cricketing memory? Playing on my street in Nottingham with a tennis ball using a telegraph pole as the wicket.

Best and worst grounds you've played on?  Best ground clearly at Blenheim; great to play at Charlbury too. As for the worst, it wouldn't be fair for me to criticise as I'm lucky to be on't pitch to be honest. 

Do you have a favourite fielding position?  Mid-off or failing that, back in the pavillion.

What's your favourite other sport? Football

Are you any good at it?  I like to think so. Mercurial skills coupled with bone crunching tackles. I can dream how Forest clearly missed out.

Which sport do you find most boring?  Golf, F1, any motor or horse racing, tennis, long distance running... (Bloggers note: Does ANYONE actually watch F1?)

Who's your all time sporting hero? Mohammed Ali

What's the strangest or funniest thing you've ever seen on a cricket field? A frog in the outfield at Headingley. A spectator ran on to save it, reacting to the chants of "save the frog" and promptly got ejected. But he did save the frog. 

You can have four people round to dinner, past or present, who would they be and why? 

Brian Clough (obvious reasons for a Nottingham lad plus we could discuss the 'clown' Jan Tomaszewski for those of you with long memories) (Bloggers note: Oh! I remember Jan Tomaszewski Ed. I remember my dad swearing at the telly and I remember very, very clearly England NOT being in the 1974 World Cup Finals. Thanks for reminding us of that).

John Motson (for his football banter)

Mohammed Ali (to entertain us and just in case it kicks off) 

Alexei Sayle (he's always made me laugh)

You have £100 to spend, what do you buy? A meal out for my family

Thanks for that Ed. You're one in a million mate. Well statistically Baz, that's not correct. I'm actually one in 7,034,722,069 ... but of course, that number is going up by the second.

Yeah, right Ed. Thanks for that. 

 

Summers Past 2011: Blenheim Park CC v SpecialEffect Tigers CC

Today's Summers Past feature takes us to the Great Lawn at Blenheim Palace on Sunday 19th June 2011.

We had beaten the Duke's men in 2010 and, this being our first game of the 2011 season, our hopes were high. They didn't stay that way for very long.

This was the worst Tigers performance since we founded the team in 2009. The bowling and fielding wasn't great but the batting performance was unprecedented ... a freak ... a truly awful day at the office.

Bright points of the day? Not many to be honest, but Serge Eaton did demonstrate his dexterity behind the stumps, taking two catches and only letting two byes past despite some pacey bowling from Brackley and Ellis. Nice one Serge.

 

I don't think any of the Tigers who played against Blenheim Park CC on that day will forget it. Here's the scorecards. Read them and weep Tigers!

We'll get over it one day lads. Well done you Blenheim Park chaps!

SUMMERS PAST: SpecialEffect Tigers CC v Richard Denner XI

Today's Summers Past Feature takes us back to West Witney CC on Sunday 18th July 2010.

As an added bonus, I've even found the original match report that was published on the old Tigers blogsite. Here we go ...

Tigers XI v Richard Denner XI

Sunday 18^th July 2010

This was a match where bowlers from both sides toiled hard but the batsmen won the day.

After winning the toss, Richard Denner opted to put his side into bat.

The Richard Denner XI openers nudged and prodded their way through a hostile first ten overs as Steve Brackley and Stewart Towell sought early wickets. But, despite keeping the run count very low, neither opening bowler took the first valuable wicket and it was first change Ash Kolamkar who struck first. A good length ball found the edge of Horgan’s bat and keeper Mick Donegan took a superb one-handed catch to send the batsman on the lonely walk.

At the other end, John Grain – in his first game back from his serious injury in May – succeeded in removing the other opener as Lowe tried driving through mid-wicket. His drive found the safe hands of Nic Yeoman and the Richard Denner XI looked as if they might be in trouble. Nobody in the Richard Denner XI was breaking a sweat – they had Arthur Robinson, after all.

The Goliath-like Robinson strode out to the crease and made his intentions clear by getting of the mark with a huge six over long-on. His onslaught continued and in just 24 balls he was raising his bat for his half-century.

Meanwhile, Saverimuttu was quietly improving his own average as the Tigers bowling faltered. As the Richard Denner XI innings moved into its third quarter however, some tight bowling and sharp fielding stemmed the haemorrhaging of runs. Then, with Robinson on 92, a combination of Nic Yeoman and Steve Brackley succeeded in removing him from the batting attack. Driving a full-length ball off his toes, Robinson’s shot found the safe hands of Steve Brackley at square leg and suddenly the game was in the balance again.

As the visitor’s innings drew to a close, Brackley had a hand in the last Richard Denner XI wicket to fall. A smart throw in from deep left keeper Mick Donegan little to do but remove the bails to end the stoic innings of Saverimuttu. An excellent 52 from the number 3 batsman.

The final overs were seen out by our friend, Dave Williams - injured but still more than capable – and the more senior of the King family in the field today.

The Richard Denner XI innings finished on 205. A very good total and one that on many days at our level might prove match winning.

The Tigers were off like a shot as Ash Kolamkar cut and drove his way through the opening overs. Fellow opener Tim Portlock fell to a neat catch by Ben King off the bowling of Saverimuttu.

With Portlock departed Chris Grain took to the crease and, in the overs that followed, the pair elegantly but aggressively carved out a partnership that would ultimately prove to be a match winner. But, at this point, the game was far from over. Robinson finally despatched our Ash for 82 having him caught behind by a very happy Wyatt.

The incoming batsman Floyd did little to trouble the scorer. Another wrong choice of agricultural shot and King senior sent him on his way with his off stump swinging in the air for just five.

Which brings the Grain brothers together to effectively finish the innings. With the light fading fast and the aggressive Robinson and King looking to finish the Tigers’ chances of a victory, the brothers Grain picked their shots to steer the Tigers close to the target of 206 needed for a win.

But, on a day when no side ever looked assured of running away with the win, the Richard Denner XI still managed to add a final twist. With the target in sight, Chris Grain played through an excellent delivery from Smith. The Tigers captain departed on 66 with a handful of runs needed for victory.

John & Chris Grain

Building on Ash Kolamkar's 82 to steer the Tigers to victory

John Grain and Geoff Hoare saw the game through to completion, knocking up the final runs to secure a second Sunday victory of the season.

But what a game. Played in a wonderful spirit by two friendly but competitive teams through to a very close-run conclusion. Win or lose we would have enjoyed this one and we very much hope to have a return fixture next season.

So there we have it. A Tigers victory over a side that hadn't been beaten for two years ... sometimes life's good lads, eh?

 

 

 

MEET THE TIGER CUB: WILF BRACKLEY

Tiger Cub Wilf Brackley

Okay, so some girls I know (who I am not allowed to mention) told me that last night's MEET THE TEAM feature, Tom Geeson-Brown, was pretty cute.

Well, stand aside Tom because here's cuteness taken to a whole new level.

This little Tiger Cub is Wilf Brackley, son of Alan and Polly. He's all kitted out with his cricket bat and his SpecialEffect Tigers top as knitted by Ma Floyd.

Aaaaah! It won't be too long before he's gracing the village greens around Gloucestershire just like his Dad. Yes, just like Dad. You know? Doing the sort of things that Alan does ... bowling bodyline at the rabbits, snarling down the wicket, death stares ... that sort of thing!

Well done young Wilf ... you look the bees knees mate!

MEET THE TEAM: TOM GEESON-BROWN

Tonight's Meet the Team feature is a young man who has been on the Tigers circulation list since we were founded in 2009. 

Sadly studies, other cricket commitments and a match postponement last season have prevented him from playing so far. But we live in hope ... and when we roll him and 'Alan' Brackley out together, we're going to be looking at a Tigers trebuchet assault.

Okay Tom, take it away mate ...

Name: Tom Geeson-Brown

Date of birth? 9th September 1991

Where were you born mate? Oxford

How do you earn a living? I'm a student

And much more importantly, what do you do cricket-wise? RHB, RF

Your favourite cricket team? Worcestershire or Gloucestershire

And your favourite cricketer? Allan Donald

What's your earliest cricket memory, Tom? Bowling at my dad in the garden wearing bright red wellies

Where are the best and worst grounds you've played at? The best is Arundel Castle ... the worst is Minster Lovell

Where's your favourite fielding position? Mid-Off 

What's your favourite other sport? Football or Rugby

Any good at them? Utterly useless at both

Which sport do you find most boring? American football/basketball/baseball

Who's your all time sporting hero? Johnny Wilkinson

What's the strangest or funniest thing you've seen on a cricket field?  Long on and long off are sprinting round to field the ball which was hit directly between them. They don’t see each other and collide head first directly over the ball. It trickles for four and both players are in a heap on the floor.  

You can have four people round to dinner, past or present, who do you invite and why?

Muhammad Ali, I would love to hear him talk about his life etc.

Jonny Wilkinson, he is everything I aspire to be

Casanova, arguably the best wingman ever

Sienna Miller, hopefully she’d get drunk enough that I would become good looking....

You have £100 to spend. What do you buy?

I’m a student so I’m afraid to say it would be alcohol. Very boring.

That's not boring Tom. If they were telling the truth, most of the Tigers would say the same ... except Rob Webb. He did tell the truth but we won't go back over that ...

Cheers Tom. Hope to see you at some point over the summer.