The SpecialEffect Tigers Club 50+

No, it's not our take on an oldies Club 18-30 but the roll of honour for those Tigers who have clocked up a half century or more innings in the line of duty for the Ambush since we first took to the cricket fields of West Oxfordshire in 2009.

It all started in our first ever game on 31st May 2009 when AJ Smith knocked up an unbeaten 50 against our mates London Badgers. Since then, despite our relatively small number of games per season, the bat to acknowledge the half century applause has been raised another eleven times. Tim Lowe hit the last Tigers half century (well, 69 to be exact) in our midweek league game at home to Swinbrook on 17th July 2013.

So lets see the full roll of honour at this point in time of our proud history (I don't half spout some rubbish):

1. Ash Kolamkar    82 v Richard Denner XI at West Witney on 11th July 2010

2. Robbie Nicholson 73* v Southfield Superstars at Combe on 19th August 2012

3. Robbie Nicholson 70* v London Badgers at Charlbury on 22nd July 2012

4. Tim Lowe 69 v Swinbrook at West Witney on 17th July 2013

5. Chris Grain 66 v Richard Denner XI at West Witney on 11th July 2010

6. Robbie Nicholson 63* v Witney RFC at Charlbury on 17th June 2012

7. Dave Williams 56* v Heinemann at West Witney on 14th June 2009

8. Chris Grain 55 v Swinbrook at Swinbrook on 12th June 2013

9. Ash Kolamkar 51* v London Badgers at Witney Leys on 8th May 2010

10. AJ Smith 50* v London Badgers at Charlbury on 31st May 2009

11. James Ellwood 50* v Witney RFC at West Witney on 21st June 2013

12. Chris Grain 50 v Oxfam at Charlbury on 24th July 2012


Tigers 50+ Club ... we salute you!

TIGER IN THE SPOTLIGHT: TIM LOWE

Tiger in the Spotlight: Tim Lowe

This week’s Tiger in the Spotlight is another of our fine crop of youngsters. However, this one plays his cricket at Sandford-St-Martin, not Combe CC.

That’s right, it’s another of our batting supremos, Tim Lowe. 

After making his debut in the Ambush at the tail end of the 2012 season, Tim was a regular throughout 2013. And, as one of only three Tigers who scored more than 100 league runs last season, we very much hope he’ll be a regular again through 2014.

Tim has a sense of humour as dry as an Australian wicket but he’s always ready with a bit of banter out in the field and words of encouragement when they’re needed. 

Oooooh, nice shape Tim. Fetch that out of deep cover!

Despite a very respectable overall average of 29.60, Tim fell foul of a couple of dodgy decisions during the course of the 2013 season. Given leg before wicket in the away fixture at Uffington, Tim didn’t make a song and dance about it out on the square. A true Tiger, Tim upheld the Ambush’s excellent reputation of good sportsmanship with a simple tap to the inside edge of his bat as he left the crease. A quiet but clear indication to the umpire that the batsman felt he’d caught an inside edge before the ball struck his pad. You just can’t get a decent umpire these days Tim, can you?

No mate, look to the crease ... we've just said you're sharp in the field

But Tim’s season improved both with the bat and in the field. On a damp and murky Wednesday evening at Swinbrook, he snapped up a very smart catch in the slips to dismiss opener Shrive for a duck off the bowling of Hass Olympia. 

And his other smart catch of the season was taken at Swinbrook too as he took Stuffed Beavers dangerman Neil Morton at midwicket off the bowling of Ben McPherson. 

Oh yes, Tim’s a smart fielder alright. Even when the ball is played at ground level, opposing batsmen have to be quick on their feet. Uffington’s Taylor found that out as our Tim produced a sharp run out in our league victory over the men from White Horse Hill.    

But it is with the bat that other members of the bat look to Tim first and foremost. He exceeded a solid 41 against Uffington in the final league game of the season as he produced the highest individual league innings of any Tiger in the 2013 season. A classy and hard fought 69 against Swinbrook as he and Chris Grain struggled in vain to save the game against the league champions.

That's heading for the famous Swinbrook stream

Tim, you’re a smashing bloke, a fine cricketer and a true Tiger. We’re all proud to play alongside you in the Ambush mate.

Here's your stats for the 2013 season ...

League batting performances

Friendly batting

Overall batting

And he even bowls a bit ...

Tiger, we salute you!

TIGER IN THE SPOTLIGHT: HASSAN MOHSIN

Tiger in the Spotlight: Hassan Mohsin

As the spotlight continues to swing its way around The Ambush to highlight those Tigers who took to the field in the 2013 season, this week it rests upon Hassan Mohsin.

Another of the crop of young Combe players to join the Ambush, Hass made his Tigers debut at the start of the 2013 season. And he made an instant impact. Not just for his cricketing skills but because he's a great team player and an all round top bloke. Always cheerful, always encouraging and always constructive, Hass quickly established himself as a player's player. 

The 2013 Player's Player: Hass (centre) with Pete Bartlett (left) and Mark Westaby

That was reflected when he was voted Tigers Player of the 2013 Season.

So let's take first take a look at our swashbuckling all-rounder's batting performance. 

Hass in league action against Swinbrook at West Witney

For his parent club Hass is a top order batsman but, because he is always called upon for his bowling skills, he regularly drops down to number four or five in the Tigers batting order. In a couple of games in the 2013 league season, when we really needed the runs, he selflessly sacrificed his wicket going for big hits. Yes, he could have played for his average but that's just not Hass' style.

That one is powered away as Hass thumps his way to 41 against Uffington

His highest score of the season came in our first away game of the West Oxfordshire Midweek League game when he piled on 41 to establish a 62 partnership with skipper Chris Grain against Uffington. 

He bowls a bit too ...

But, as I said, Hass bowls too. Mainly spin but he can put the ball down like a quickie too when he feels like it. In a season where league wickets were spread thinly amongst the Tigers' bowlers, Hass topped our wicket takers in the league with four from five games including a 2-22 against Audley Ducks back in June 2013.

Hass quickens up the pace at home to Swinbrook

And fielding? Yes, as you'd expect and typical of all our Combe CC lads, Hass is as sharp as a tack in field. Not just for his three catches in league games, including a very sharp caught and bowled to dismiss Uffington danger man Taylor, but for the number of runs he stops too.

Hass, you're a top bloke, a great cricketer and a pleasure to play alongside. Your Tigers Player of the 2013 Season was hard fought with Chris Grain but I know the skipper thought it was well deserved.

Hass' 2013 league batting figures

And here's how he did with the ball

Tiger, we salute you!