Debutants frustrated as Swinbrook fixture is washed out

 Robbie Mills 'Dislikes liking things'

At least two of tonight's Tigers debutants were left frustrated as rain washed out the prospect of them earning their first Tiger stripes at Swinbrook tonight.

The game was called off at four o' clock this afternoon when the Swinbrook groundsman reported in to the opposition skipper, Nigel White, that there was standing water on the pitch.

After Baz Floyd stood the Ambush down via Facebook and asked the Tigers to 'Like' as confirmation they got the message, Robbie Mills commented "I didn't like liking this, I dislike liking this. I would have liked a dislike button, but like they only like like buttons on facebook so you can only like and not dislike. Dislike."

Meanwhile fellow debutant Josh Dammarell fumed "They [Swinbrook]were scared that's all!! Its not even like we've had rain!!"

Josh Dammarell caught in a shower

Fellow would-be-debutants, Liam Dunkley and Hass Olympia, refused to comment ... which is probably just as well.

All four Tigers will get the opportunity to win that elusive first stripe on Wednesday 6th June as Tigers take on Uffington CC in the shadow of White Horse Hill. 

 
 

Ambush at full strength for league clash v Swinbrook CC

After a busy evening of recruitment, helped in no small part by Robbie Mills' Witney RFC and Combe Cricket Club, the Ambush for Wednesday night's league tie is now at full strength.

The Ambush will be as follows (this is NOT the batting order)

• Chris Grain (Capt.)
• Baz Floyd
• Pete Bartlett
• Ed Juszczak
• Hassan Olympia
• Robbie Mills
• Tony 'Postie' Winstone
• Huw Neyroud
• Tom Juszczak
• Liam Dunkley
• Josh Dammarell

The game is at Swinbrook CC and must start at 6.15. Please try to be at the ground and changed for 6 o' clock.

Format for the midweek league is 15 x 8 ball overs (max 3 overs per bowler). 

Four Tigers will earn their first stripes this week: Hass Olympia, Robbie Mills, Liam Dunkley and Josh Dammarell.

Cheers Tigers and see you all on Wednesday.

Ducks at l'orange as the Ambush crumbles

Audley Ducks CC

Back Row l-r:

Kneeling l-r:

 

SpecialEffect Tigers CC

Back row l-r: Ed Juszczak, Chris Grain (Capt), Baz Floyd, Nelly Hayes, James Monks, Stuart Duff, Dan Raymond-Barker

Kneeling l-r: Huw Neyroud, Pete Bartlett, James Hayes, Tony Winstone

No, I don't know why I chose a culinary headline for this week's match report but the Duck and orange seemed to go together. Just humour me, eh?

Right, so onto Wednesday night's first competitive game for the Tigers in the West Oxfordshire Midweek League. Undefeated since June 2012 and with the prospect of playing our first midweek game against our old mates from Audley Travel, the Tigers appeared well up for this one.

However, less than 36 hours before the first ball was bowled, no less than four of the Tigers withdrew from the Ambush leaving us desperately short of players. 

Happily, Robbie Mills of Witney Rugby Club stepped in to save the day by providing us with Tony 'Postie' Winstone and James 'Monksy' Monks. And when the Badgers offered up a couple of Brocks from the Hayes Clan (young James and Nelly) to pitch in with the Ambush, we celebrated getting eleven in the field. The four Tigers mentioned above were joined by two more debutants, Pete Bartlett and Dan Raymond-Barker, to give us an incredible six Tigers earning their first stripes.

Chris Grain, back as Tigers' league skipper, won the toss and duly elected to bat sending the heavy artillery of Witney RFC in to open. Postie looked comfortable whilst Monksy immediately set about attacking the Ducks' strike bowlers. As the excellent Henry Southall combined pace with a good line and length from the Burford Road End, Huw Owen struggled a little and was duly despatched for 12 from his first over. Ducks' skipper, Dave Singleton, sensing Owen was having an off day immediately replaced him with the equally Welsh-sounding Glenn Evans. Great captaincy as the run tide was immediately held back. 

Postie flicks one through to midwicket

It was the dangerous Southall who drew first Tiger blood however as Postie mistimed his shot and Jus Saleem held his catch to send the opener back to the pavilion. As Baz Floyd joined Monksy at the crease, both Tigers looked to hit big in an effort to get some runs on the board quickly. But the Ducks were having none of it. The Tigers big-hitters were tied down to taking their runs where they could get them until a frustrated Monksy finally tried one big hit too many and skied Charlie Read to Huw Owen. Huw made no mistake with a fine catch and the Tigers were suddenly struggling. Monksy gone for 14.

Tigers' skipper Chris Grain misses that one as it goes through to Jus Saleem

Floyd became Read's second Tiger-skin rug of the evening as he moved across the line of a tempting full toss only to mistime his hoik through midwicket to be trapped leg before wicket. Read and Floyd bowler to batsman relationship is now something akin to the kid at school who points at your tie and clouts your nose as you look down. The gullible Floyd seems to be falling for Read's trickery every time.

With plenty of batting still to go, Tigers skipper Chris Grain now in the middle started to chisel out an innings. However, his partnership with Badgers' danger man Nelly Hayes lasted just the one ball as Hayes uncharacteristically chipped Read to a grateful Wallis.

Tigers reliable young keeper Huw Neyroud joined Grain in the middle and slowly began a repair job until Grain became Charlie Read's fourth victim of the night, bowled with 12 to his name. Neyroud was left to top score for the Tigers with 21 before being removed from the middle by having his stumps splayed by Wallis.

Huw Neyroud takes the fight to the Ducks with 21

 Ed Juszczak and Dan Raymond-Barker saw out the Tigers innings adding seven each before running out of overs. The Tigers finished on 88-6 from 20 overs. Would it be enough against the 2012 WOML Champions?

Well, the simple answer to that one is no.

The Tigers strike bowlers managed to pin down Ducks' openers Herbert and Jacobs for a while. And, as Jacobs was bizarrely run out for 4 from a no ball that left the Tigers debating whether or not to withdraw the appeal, there was even a little glimmer of hope. However the Tigers bowlers had very few runs to play with and Ducks number 3, Ward, in aggressive mood the Tigers' 88 runs started looking frail. Supported by Herbert, Ward showed the Tigers what a 20/20 innings should look like as he helped himself to four 4's and a brace of 6's. The bowling wasn't bad but Ward was obviously on a mission to get a pint and he wasn't about to let Tigers' bowlers Duff and Juszczak get in his way.

Stuart Duff did have some success before he was through as he combined with Monksy to have Herbert caught for 14. He had a smashing time trying for a run out from long on too, finding umpire Charlie Read's half filled pint glass tucked behind the middle stump at which he'd thrown and sending shards of glass all over the place.

But Ward and Evans completed what turned out to be a straightforward win for the Ducks as they floated in with 89-2 from 14.4 overs.

A good start to the Ducks' defence of their champions crown. And, as players from both teams met for a pint after the game, the Tigers weren't too despondent either. A good performance from both sides and some learning for the Tigers too.

Thanks to Charlie, Dave and all the Audley Ducks CC for an enjoyable game played in great spirit.

Click on the image for Tigers batting and Ducks bowling

And here for Ducks batting and Tigers bowling

Tigers Debutants and Roll-of Honour Numbers

Tony 'Postie' Winstone (54)

James 'Monksy' Monks (55)

Neale 'Nelly' Hayes (56)

Dan Raymond-Barker (57)

James Hayes (58)

Pete Bartlett (59)

SpecialEffect Tigers v Audley Ducks

Right Tigers, after a couple of late withdrawals from the Ambush we're now back to full strength for tomorrow's first West Oxfordshire midweek league match against Audley Ducks CC. 

No less than six Tigers will make their debut at West Witney Cricket Club. A couple of London Badgers and a couple of Witney Rugby Club players have added their skills to the Ambush.

So, the details are as follows:

Opponents: Audley Ducks CC

Venue: West Witney CC

Date/time: 22nd May 2013 @ 18.00 hrs

The Ambush is as follows (this isn't the batting order):

1. Chris Grain (Capt)
2. Baz Floyd
3. Pete Bartlett
4. Tony Winstone
5. James Monks
6. James Hayes
7. Nelly Hayes
8. Dan Raymond-Barker
9. Ed Juszczak
10. Huw Neyroud 
11. Stuart Duff

TIGERS ROLL OF HONOUR GADGET

Back Row: 10, 2, 19, 4, 32, 43

Front Row: 42, 34, 46, 45, 41

On 31st May, SpecialEffect Tigers Cricket Club will be five years old.

I was talking cricket with fellow founding Tiger, John Grain, yesterday. John suggested that to mark the anniversary of our wonderful team and to salute every Tiger who has ever pulled on the Orange and Green of SpecialEffect, we should follow England CC's lead and number Tigers as they make their debut in the Ambush.
  
The Roll of Honour will now be a permanent fixture on the blog. It'll be amongst the growing number of gadgets on the right side of the screen. As new players appear in the Ambush, the RoH will be updated as a permanent reminder of all who have passed through our ranks as well as those who currently man the Ambush.

Great suggestion John. Thanks mate.

Now, take a look down the list and find out YOUR Tiger number on the Roll of Honour. 

1.     M. Donegan

2.     B.S. Floyd

3.     T.C. Grain

4.     J.D. Grain

5.     D. Williams

6.     AJ. Smith

7.     N. Yeoman

8.     J. Harrison

9.     S. Brackley

10.  W. Donegan

11. T. Buswell

12.  Sathish

13.  Suaravh

14.  Satya

15.  L. Townsend

16.  M. Savile

17.  S. Eaton

18.  C. Tarratt

19.  R. Webb

20.  O. Tariq

21.  A. Kolamkar

22.  C. Read

23.  P. Felix

24.  W. Smithers

25.  S. Towell

26.  G. Inge

27.  S. Mehrotra

28. Shankar

29.  T. Portlock

30.  G. Hoare

31.  J. Pawsey

32.  B. McPherson

33.  T. Kuszczak

34.  C.F. Newton-Grain

35.  C. Ellis

36.  E. Juszczak

37. T. Donegan

38. P. Butler

39.  N. Hitchcox

40.  S. Duff

41.  R. Nicholson

42. I. Nicholson

43.  P. Fagg

44.  E. Bradbury

45. H. Neyroud

46.  J. Grist-Perkins

47.  S. Kellie

48.  D. Gayle

49.  L. Dunkley

50.  T. Kellie

51.  T. Lowe

52.  S. Parsons

53.  S. Dobson

The Scrumbush Needs You ...

The call up has gone out to Tigers, Witney RFC and Badgers to join forces as we attempt a victorious assault on the West Oxfordshire Midweek Cricket League.

Details of our first game are below:

22nd May 2013

Start time: 6pm

Opponents: Audley Ducks CC

Venue: West Witney CC

Those who have already joined the Scrumbush are listed over on the right. If you can play, please let me know as soon as possible, please? 

Another Weekend Match Confirmed

Tigers and Richard Denner XI group photo after a famous Ambush victory in 2010 season

Get your diaries out Tigers! I've just come off the phone from our mate Richard Denner, founder of the Richard Denner XI, and we now have a fixture lined up for Sunday 8th September. 

I'll confirm the venue very soon but please do get the date in your diaries.

Tigers and Badgers declare an honourable draw as rain stops play

Combe CC ... glorious, even in the drizzle

Dark clouds gathered over Combe Cricket Club this afternoon as SpecialEffect Tigers and London Badgers readied themselves for their annual clash in the cricket fields of West Oxfordshire.

The Tigers were looking to level the overall tally to 2-2 after suffering a mauling at the hands of the Badgers in last year's match at Charlbury. But even as the teams took to the field, nature would determine the result of this one.

Badgers captain, Mazza Hayes, won the toss and elected to bat in a pre-agreed shortened 20/20 format. It looked to be a very good call as the Tigers' bowlers struggled to contain the Badgers' batsmen on a much smaller pitch than either team is used to playing on.

Nelly Hayes immediately set about knocking up a big total as he bludgeoned everything the Tigers bowling attack threw at him. His partner, Rich, at the other end however struggled with Brackley's pace and the consistent line and length of Grist-Perkins. As the Tigers strike bowlers changed, Ben McPherson stepped up to grab Rich's wicket as the frustrated batsman attempted to drive through mid-on. James Harrison coolly took the catch at waist height on the run and Rich departed without troubling the scorer.

The new batsman, Kerr, looked only slightly more comfortable as he drove hard and not too wide of Baz Floyd who promptly spurned the half chance. No matter, McPherson decided he'd finish the job himself the next ball as Rich seemed caught between two shots and fed the ball back to the bowler. Rich departed with six to his name.

Tigers bowler, Ed Juszczak, toils away but it wasn't a day for the bowlers

At this point, the Tigers sensed blood and must have been confident of grabbing another couple of wickets. But a cornered Badger is a dangerous animal and as John Ewels entered the crease, he and Nelly Hayes decided it was time to show the Tigers they weren't going to have it all their own way. With a combination of lovely stroke play and good old village green heave-ho's, Hayes and Ewels started piling on the runs. Hayes retired on 50 with ten fours and a six to his name to respectful applause from the Tigers.

Badgers' John Ewels on his was to an unbeaten 32 

as Brackley (bowling) and Dobson look on

Ewels carried on the offensive but watched on as Steve Brackley bowled the Badgers captain for just three. He finally retired on 32 having hit four fours and a brace of sixes. Great innings.

Hardy and Ludlow carried on the assault on the Tigers bowling, plundering boundary after boundary before Hardy finally succumbed to a confident leg before shout from Floyd and bowler Newton-Grain. The batsman didn't look convinced but, like a gentleman, Hardy left the crease with 22 to his name to make way for Wood. 

Really? I mean, REALLY??? Hardy walks for 22 after being judged leg before

And that was where the wickets ended. Mike Ludlow carried on to make 21 not out and Wood hit a couple of boundaries for his 8 not out. The Badgers had amassed 153-4 off twenty overs and, even with the shorter boundaries, the total looked a daunting one for the Tigers.

As Steve Dobson and James Harrison opened the Tigers' batting, it quickly became clear that it wasn't going to be a day for most of the bowlers from either side. The Tigers total of 23 off the first two overs must have set a few alarm bells ringing amongst the Badgers stalwarts. Wickets were thin on the ground and the first Tiger to walk was Steve Dobson, retiring on 32 after smashing two fours and three colossal sixes.

James Harrison displaying controlled aggression

Harrison was also in aggressive mood as he kept the Tigers ahead of the run rate. The usually reliable and technically brilliant Chris Grain however demonstrated that pure aggression wasn't quite for him this early in the season as he attempted to pull young James Hayes over backward square leg and was snapped up by Kerr.

James Harrison, now on 22, brought some success to Wood as he was snapped up Hardy as he went for another big shot. An excellent, controlled innings by Harrison though who is better known amongst the Tigers for his bowling. 

Like Grain before him Barry Floyd also made the mistake of opting to attack James Hayes and, with just seven on the scoresheet, departed the crease in the same manner as he holed out going for a huge hit over mid-off. Zuber took a cool catch as Floyd put more height and less length on his shot than he'd have liked.

Baz Floyd displaying uncontrolled aggression .. and missing

With three wickets down, the Tigers were still ahead of the run rate and not sweating too much with plenty more batting to come. With Floyd's departure, Ben McPherson was joined at the crease by the powerful and aggressive Chris Ellis. He immediately re-enforced his reputation by smashing two quick-fire fours.

But as McPherson became Badgers' star bowler, Hayes', third wicket of the day caught by Mike Ludlow for two, the captains decided enough was enough. The rain, that had fallen doggedly through the thirty overs played, finally put the dampener on the annual ferocious struggle between Tiger and Badger.

Both teams left the field with honour having the declared this tie a drawn match and hoping to meet again later in the summer.

Thanks to every Tiger and Badger who turned out at Combe today. The conditions weren't great but it was an exciting start to the Tigers' season. Well done to all the batsman from both sides who tried to club the opposition bowling into submission and to Tigers' McPherson and Badgers' James Hayes for making sure the willow-swingers didn't get things all their own way.

Click the image for Badgers batting and Tigers bowling

  

And click this image for Tigers batting and Badgers bowling

Ambush is confirmed and ready for Sunday's annual clash with London Badgers

Glorious Combe CC

SpecialEffect Tigers CC v London Badgers CC

Venue: Combe CC

Sunday 12th May 2013

Start time: 13.30

Right Tigers, everything is now in in place and confirmed for Sunday's annual fixture between SpecialEffect Tigers and London Badgers.

The Ambush is as follows (this isn't the batting order):

1. Steve Dobson
2. Iain Nicholson
3. James Harrison
4. Barry Floyd
5. Ed Juszczak
6. Ben McPherson
7. Stuart Duff
8. James Grist-Perkins
9. Chris Grain10. Chris Ellis
11. Steve 'Alan' Brackley

On stand-by with claws out are:






Cameron Newton-Grain
Bill Donegan 

To those about to play cricket ... we salute you!
 

TIGERS MERGE WITH WITNEY RFC TO JOIN WEST OXON MIDWEEK LEAGUE

That's right, the Tigers have joined forces with our mates over at Witney RFC to join the West Oxfordshire midweek league. Together, we are the Scrumbush!

Witney RFC

We've already got three Tigers who have committed to all the league games and several others who have said they'll dip in and out. Witney RFC are in exactly the same situation, so I'm confident we'll at least hold our own in the league.

The Ambush

So, you'll see a few changes to the blog in the coming weeks. As well as the friendly weekend Ambush, we'll have the altogether less friendly midweek Scrumbush team sheets stats and match reports.

If any of you Tigers can commit to any of the midweek games, please do drop me an email or give me a call to let me know.

Here are the fixtures:

22nd May   Tigers v Ducks
                 Uffington v Swinbrook

29th May    Ducks v Uffington
                 Swinbrook v Tigers

6th June     Ducks v Swinbrook
                 Uffington v Tigers

12th June    Uffington v Ducks
                  Tigers v Swinbrook

19th Jun     Ducks v Tigers
                  Swinbrook v Uffington

26th June   Tigers v Uffington
                 Swinbrook v Ducks