Sunday, July 17, 2011
Monday, July 04, 2011
Pak Bristolians CC - 1st XI vs Failand & Portbury CC - 1st XI
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Failand & Portbury CC - 1st XI vs Stoke Bishop CC, Bristol - 1st XI
Monday, June 13, 2011
Bristol Pakistanis CC - 1st XI vs Failand & Portbury CC - 1st XI
http://bdca.play-cricket.com/scoreboard/scorecard.asp?id=11138279
Sunday, June 05, 2011
Failand & Portbury CC - 1st XI vs Chew Magna CC - 1st XI
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Almondsbury CC - 1st XI vs Failand & Portbury CC - 1st XI
http://fpcc.play-cricket.com/scoreboard/scorecard.asp?id=11138267
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Failand & Portbury CC - 1st XI vs Portishead CC - Saturday 1st XI
For Portishead, S.Winward 56
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Hambrook CC - 1st XI vs Failand & Portbury CC - 1st XI
http://fpcc.play-cricket.com/scoreboard/scorecard.asp?id=11138310
Saturday, May 07, 2011
Failand & Portbury CC - 1st XI vs Hanham CC - 1st XI
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Failand & Portbury CC - 1st XI vs Bristol Indians CC - Friendly 1st XI
http://fpcc.play-cricket.com/scoreboard/scorecard.asp?id=11256601
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Failand & Portbury CC - 1st XI vs Whitchurch CC, Somerset - 1st XI
Tuesday, May 04, 2010
Monday, March 15, 2010
Failand & Portbury 1st XI Team Report 2009
I remember replying to an email Mark Walker sent in early May offering my support to Charlie’s decision to join Bristol Cricket Club. I thanked him for his and Charlie’s efforts during 2008 in a memorable season that would ‘in all honesty’ be very hard to repeat. I also remember including in last years’ report that our short term goal was to win enough games so as to avoid relegation and it was very pleasing to have achieved that: Played 18, Won 7, Lost 8, Cancelled 2, and Abandoned 1. Not quite a winning season, but a very successful one, especially when you look at the plight of Cleeve. Having romped to the 1st Division title the previous season, they could only manage 3 victories last term and finished rock bottom in the Senior Division. We were clearly far better equipped to deal with the step up in standard than they were. It was also pleasing to be proved wrong. The season was a memorable one, not because we achieved promotion like we did in the last game of the 2008 season, nor because we avoided relegation similarly to the final game of the 2007 season, but because we had avoided relegation from the Bristol & District Senior Division for the first time in the club’s history. A memorable feat indeed.
Unfortunately we did not have the same continuity of selection as we had enjoyed in 2008. Players availability in comparison proved to be ‘patchy’ to say the least. It also proved to be a season of ‘two halves’ - home and away. We won just one league game at home, against the bottom of the table St Mary Redcliffe, and we even seemed to make heavy weather of that victory. If the team is seriously looking to improve on 2009, then this is one area that needs attention. Visiting teams seemed to enjoy batting at Failand more than we do. Often taking advantage of our modest totals, occasionally naive bowling, and lapses of concentration in the field (myself the biggest culprit). However, for a promotion team to finish having won every away game bar one must be almost unheard of.
With this last statement in mind, it was clear that our batting performances on the road were far more impressive than they were at home. We batted well as a unit to set up an exciting victory against Chew Magna. We posted solid scores against St Mary Redcliffe, Almondsbury, and Bristol Asians, and had a magnificent run chase at Hampset. There were two key reasons for this, Ed Humphreys and Hugo Hanchet. Both had by far their best seasons in 2009. Not only were they prolific but they also batted with great maturity not often seen in seasons past. Ed finished with 710 league runs at 44, while Hugo scored 554 at 39. Unfortunately they were relied on too heavily by others, and the senior batsmen not mentioned must seriously look to improve next season.
On the bowling front the bulk of the overs and wickets were taken by our 3 seamers; Tony Lippe, George Humphreys and Tom Isom. Tony did not enjoy quite the same success of last year, but still put in the same amount of effort and never looked to shy away from a challenge. George had another good season, but the majority of plaudits should go to Tom Isom who finished with 29 wickets at an average below 20. A huge effort indeed for a bowler who came on first change, and saw many a catch floored. It is also very encouraging to see two spinners at the club. Both Rory Davidson and Pierre Bell made their 1st team debuts and showed much reason for optimism for 2010. Although the standard set in the field is greater than most opponents, we did not play with the same intensity as in 2008.
From a personal point of view, this was my third season as captain and although there was an enjoyable sense of familiarity, I feel that this is the appropriate time to step down. I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to have captained this team and have thoroughly enjoyed doing it. I hope I have left the team in a stable state that my successor can build on. It is encouraging that we still have many good players at the club with a healthy competition for places. I would just like to thank the team for all their efforts and making the job much easier than it might have been. Special thanks must go to all those on the committee for their continued support, and most notably Paul Nice and my vice Simon Bachelor.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Sunday, May 03, 2009
The 2009 league season in the Premier Division got away with an excellent win away at St Mary Redcliffe.
George Humphreys bagged 6 for 30 and Hugo Hanchet top scored with 47 in a low scoring game. More to follow!
Scorecard: 1st XI v St Mary Redcliffe (away) 2nd May 2009
Friday, May 01, 2009
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Well what can I say, the season had everything:
Tarpaulin sheets, sponges on wickets, online scorecards, inaudible umpires, slow over rates, some lovely teas (Carsons home), a bit of descent, but most importantly - Promotion.
To be honest the league has always been the priority, as I believe it should always be, and thus reflects on the difference in results between league and cups. Despite some very competitive performances in the National Village, not to progress beyond Timsbury was one of the few disappointments of the season, our Twenty 20 performances were at best poor: played 3 lost 3.
…but let’s not dwell on this. League results: Played 15 Won 12 Lost 3, B&D 1st Division Runners-up.
Looking back I believe the tone was set in the second game of the season, away at Long Ashton. Skittled for 132 in more than favourable batting conditions for that time of year, we showed an intensity and discipline in the field which would become our trademark. Having bowled them out for 84 we won convincingly in the end, and thus set the standard for the remainder of the season.
Congratulations to every player involved, everyone contributed. Although it was the strength in depth within the squad coupled with fantastic team spirit that saw us through, there are many individual performances to credit.
Ed Humphreys topped the batting stats again, 474 league runs at 39.5. Simon Bachelor, very prolific earlier in the season finished with 465 at 35.77. Hugo Hanchet was the third player to pass 400 league runs in the season, and if he wasn’t so worried about his average he may have made a few more.
However, the batsman to really steal the limelight was Charlie Walker. He scored 390 runs, including 2 hundreds, from just 6 innings at an average of 78. What was far more encouraging was that he scored the big runs at times when it really mattered, in matches that were win or bust and when the regular batsman had seemed to run out of steam. Mark Walker, Will Humphreys and George Humphreys made some more than useful contributions lower down the order, away at YMCA and Cleeve in particular, and our new number seven proved to be the quintessential innings ‘finisher’.
On the bowling front, it was a step forward from last season, although we still seem to have our limitations. Special praise must go to George Humphreys for stepping up to the breach as new ball bowler up the hill. He went from 1st team fringe player/2nd team vice captain to one of the first names on the 1st XI team sheet. With 133.1 overs, 21 wickets for 562 runs at 26.76, he certainly gets my vote for most improved player of the season.
Tom Isom bowled very well towards the end either with the new ball or at first change. Mark Walker again had success with his subtle variations at 13 wickets for 311 runs. Charlie Walker, Matt Bowes and Hugo Hanchet all contributed to the team ‘spin’ effort, but with Charlie unavailable for much of the season this is an obvious area in which we need to improve to give the team a chance of taking it to the ‘next level’.
2008 However, was all about Tony Lippe. He bowled 207 overs, an average of 14 per game, with 45 maidens, 36 wickets for 598 runs at an average of 16.61. Not only did he always give 100% but looked threatening in every game. His stats are hard earned and not remotely flattering. For me he is the player of the season, and the difference between us playing senior rather than 1st division cricket next year.
Our very high level of fielding also deserves a mention here. As a team the concentration and effort put in was of notable support to the bowling, and often won us games. Will Humphreys in particular was excellent at wicket keeper, and Ed Humphreys continues to be the benchmark in the outfield.
The overall difference between this year and last was player availability. Only one game was lost due to lack of key players (Phoenix Away). Despite battles with Rugby Tours (again!), romantic getaways to Tuscany, music concerts in Japan, and religious pilgrimages to Lourdes, the team managed to keep its spine throughout. We must look to retain this next year if we have any aspirations of winning matches and ultimately staying up. This must be our short term goal.
What worries me for the future is the situation at junior level. I believe that by the end of the AGM it will be agreed that there will be no junior teams for next season. No less than 8 of the 1st team, and I mean core rather than fringe, have been involved in junior cricket (either playing or managing).
Without this obvious drip feed of new players coming through it was mentioned that modern ‘mobility’ would allow us to attract new players. Jeff Astle, Tom Isom and Dave Sherwin are all good recent examples of this and I believe all have encouraging futures with the club both on and off the pitch. However, we must continue to attract new players through networking and word of mouth to maintain the depth of squad this club needs.
Thanks to all the usual suspects for their help and support. In no particular order; Simon Bachelor, Paul Bachelor, Mark Walker, Paul Nice… ...and (pains me to say it) Bob Humphreys.
Alastair McArthur 24th November 2008
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Saturday, August 23, 2008
The rain held off for a visit to bottom club Carsons, though the home side are stiffened by the return after injury of the half-fit legendary Glen Cambridge.
1.30 pm start and with all F & P players at the ground the first objective has been achieved.
The toss is lost though and in go the visitors to bat on a soft, green pitch with severe slopes horizontally and vertically.
Standing around, there is talk of the powerhouse F & P batting line-up right down to the tail. "Best in the league." Our numbers 8 and 9, it's said, would be at 4 and 5 in most clubs. Short boundary down the hill on the leg side. Runfest looming.
Such is the competition for the opening spots that Simon Bachelor fails to regain the no. 2 position after a week away so McArthur and Walker Minor stride out.
Yes, the pitch is slower than slow and the openers make a careful start but at just 9 on the board McArthur is undone by an clever full toss, able only to pat it up to mid-off for an easy catch.
Out comes Ed Humphreys looking intent, with a week's daily practice in the nets behind him. Stretch right forward is the tactic. Then wait for the overpitched ball. There it is. But not quite as over-pitched as maybe seemed at first sight. Mid-on is called into play this time. He is there. The batsman isn't. And so the long march back.
Now Hugo Hanchet to the wicket. He too has been at the bowling machine every day for a week. A class act in a class batting line-up. No stretching forward for him. But what's this? A shuffle forward and playing down the wrong line? No off-stump. No batsman.
Meanwhile Walker Minor looks on as non-striker. He has kept the score moving by moving his feet. Down the track to the quickie and striking a series on the full through cover and down the hill through midwicket. Boy does he look confident after his last week's hundred!
In marches Bachelor. Circumspect at first and running the singles hard. Looking like an opening batsman. Walker Minor tests him out. He stikes a full-blooded straight drive at Bachelor. How would he deal with it? It knocks the bat out of his hand (some opening batsman!) and balloons to mid off. Catch it! the fielders shout. But the hapless mid off is not up to the job. Four runs saved but Walker still there.
Not long for Bachelor though, as the next catch sticks and he is off.
Big batsmen still to come so no worries though. First up Fellowes. But first ball snick behind and the long trudge back. 70 for 5 but with the batting to come and Walker Minor still there, 200 total is still on.
Now Sherwin to the wicket. His chance to shine. But a shovel to square leg and the 5th catch is taken.
Walker Major in to join Minor. That downhill boundary is still there. Suerely big hitting is called for today? But what's this? Walker Major unleashes an array of defensive shots. Grim-faced he comes forward. Iron-intent he goes back. The plan must be for Minor to power the score on.
But another catch sticks and Walker Minor is gone for 48. In comes George Humphreys. 2 big hitters together on 85 for 7.
What price 200 total now?
Some circumspection. Some singles. A long way to go still with 15 overs left. Keep those boomers under wraps. But no! Walker Major goes for it and a steepler at deep mid on has more height than the required distance. An groan sweeps through the F & P spectators.
Maybe Isom with the bat can come good? But now Humphreys goes for a big one and another steepler goes to hand in the deep. Not enough distance again.
105 for 9 with last man Lippe in. Surely these last 2 can get us up to 135 total? Something to bowl at.
Lippe strikes 2. But then he goes too. The 9th catch. 108 all out of 40.2 overs only.
F & P can surely kiss goodbye to promotion this year.
A tense tea again.
Here we go for the second half and Steamer Lippe powers in down the hill. Solid over but up the hill Isom's first ball goes for 4. A catch goes up to mid off but down. Groans. But keep plugging.
Score 13 off 10 overs. Carsons finding it hard to score as well. And now the wickets begin to fall. 20 for 4 after 14 overs, with 2 each for Lippe and Isom. Maybe there's a chance?
Lippe steams on going at just 1 an over but Isom's spell ends and Walker Major comes on up the hill. 5 no balls and 7 off his first over! F & P can't sustain this rate of scoring. But he buckles down and takes a wicket.
42 for 5 and 46 for 6 when Lippe stikes again.
Walker Major bowls a string of overs with 1 off each. Lippe finishes with outstanding 15-7-16-3. The best bowler in this league, surely?
Walker Minor replaces him.
But who is this out there? Cambridge is at no. 8 for Carsons. 56 needed to win. He could get that off one over alone. At the other end Carsons skipper Rosling looks firm.
Isom now back on down the hill. His strategy to fire in yorker after yorker interspersed with full tosses. Cambrige strikes 2 fours.
Now he stretches and goes for the maximum. But he's not the same Cambridge. His back is so stiff he gets under it. Up it goes to deep mid on. A skier. Ed Humphreys is under it. Cambridge is gone! Not enough distance again. Walker Minor has struck with the ball.
But 78 for 8 the score. Required rate up to 3.5 an over. Rosling begins to open out. He's batting with the tail. Walker Minor goes for 12 in an over - 3 fours. 25% of the total required. Carsons begin to look home and dry.
But Walker Major strikes.
96 for 9. Carsons need 13 to win from 3 overs. Rosling still there. He opens out. A four. A six.
And a steepler up to deep mid off. Ed Humphreys under it. But it's popped out! What price his head on a silver salver?
5 to win off the last over with the last man at the other end batting with a runner.
Isom steams now.
Dot ball.
He's bowled him! He's bowled him! He's bowled him!
104 all out. It's over.
What a victory. Pulled out of the fire in the drizzle.
Isom 13.3-3-23-3.
Walker Major 12-4-27-3.
Lippe 15-7-16-3. The best bowler in this league, surely?
Awesome!
Now it rains. Like it always does.
Onward though!
News just in: Phoenix game abandoned against YMCA, with Phoenix 9 down needing 60 off last 6 overs! So near and yet so far.
Still 10 points needed for promotion.
It's Sri Lankans at home in the last game next week.
Must win.
Scorecard at: 1st XI v Carsons Mangotsfield (away) 23rd August 2008
Friday, August 22, 2008
(to and including Phoenix)
Scores, (Aggregate Runs), Average
Simon Bachelor 100, 2, 9, 38, 65, 32, 21, 75*, 79, 26, 6, 0, 44, 30, (501), 38.54
Ed Humphreys 25, 14*, 15, 99, 15, 34, 36, 43, 59, 25, 67, 8, 45, 15*, (500), 41.67
Hugo Hanchet 4, 0, 0, 80, 16, 51, 0, 33, 68*, 25, 8, 60, 49, 30, (424), 32.62
Charlie Walker 103*, 13, 21, 27, 50*, 125, (339), 84.75
Alastair McArthur 8, 1, 33, 12, 22, 0, 1, 0, 0, 24, 0, 33, 119, 59, (338), 24.14
Mark Walker 29, 50, 6, 123*, 0, 8, 8, 0, (224), 32.00
George Humphreys 28, 6*, 7, 0, 48*, 23, 6, 44*, (162), 32.40
Will Humphreys 38*, 4, 15, 13, 17, 8, 16, 19*, 0, 25, 6, (161), 17.89
Dave Sherwin 6*, 21, 11, 0*, 4, 21*, 0, 0, 17*, 18*, 23*, 0*,(121), 24.20
Jeff Astle 15, 9, 6, 11, 1, 0, 0, (42), 6.00
Nick Hillyard 65, (65)
George Fellowes 55*, 19, 16*, (90), 90.00
Tony Lippe 1, 7, 7*, 2, 6*, (23), 8.00
Tom Isom 5, 1, (6)
Matt Hildrew 4*, 1, (5)
Matt Bowes 3, 1, 8, (12)
Paul Nice 1, 1, (2)
Mark Day 0*, 0*, (0)
Jordan Bachelor (-)
Duncan Singh 0,
Wicket-takers 2008 (League and National Village only)
(to and including Phoenix)
Overs, Runs, Wickets, Average, Strike-rate
Tony Lippe 177 - 528 -29 - 18.21 - strike rate 36.62
Charlie Walker 45 - 207 - 11 - 18.82 - strike rate 24.55
Tom Isom 26.2 - 163 - 8 - 20.38 - strike rate 19.63
Ed Humphreys 23.5 - 116 - 5 - 23.20 - strike rate 28.56
George Humphreys 151.1 - 615 - 26 - 23.65 - strike rate 34.89
Hugo Hanchet 19 - 146 - 6 - 24.33 - strike rate 19.00
Paul Nice 58 - 284 - 10 - 28.40 - strike rate 38.40
Mark Walker 52.3 - 301 - 8 - 39.38 - strike rate 37.50
Matt Bowes 24 - 149 - 3 - 49.67 - strike rate 48.00
Mark Day 30 - 126 - 2 - 63.00 - strike rate 90.00
Hugo Hanchet 19 - 146 - 6 - 24.33 - strike rate 19.00
Matt Hildrew 0.1 - 1 - 0 not yet struck
Duncan Singh 3 - 13 - 0 not yet struck
Catches 2008 (League and National Village only)
(to and including Phoenix)
Will Humphreys 10
Ed Humphreys 8
George Humphreys 7
Simon Bachelor 7
Hugo Hanchet 4
Mark Walker 4
Charlie Walker 3
Dave Sherwin 2
Tom Isom 2
Jeff Astle 1
Mark Day 1
Paul Nice 1
Matt Hildrew 1
Tony Lippe 1
Alastair McArthur 1
Stumpings 2008 (League and National Village only)
(to and including Phoenix)
Will Humphreys 4
Run-outs 2008 (League and National Village only)
(to and including Phoenix)
George Humphreys 1
Charlie Walker 1
Hugo Hanchet 2
Alastair McArthur 1
Hugo Hanchet 1
Dave Sherwin 1
Will Humphreys 1
Tony Lippe 1
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Phoenix West Indians in 2nd League position, with F & P 7 points behind in 3rd spot. A must-win game. But before must-win comes must-play. All week the forecast for the up-coming shoot-out was the only topic of conversation in this neck of the woods. And it was consistent - dry Friday but heavy rain on Saturday.
A small band of volunteers turned out Friday night to cover the strip - Groundman Paul Bachelor and Assistant Groundsperson Wendy Bachelor (who had spent 5 hours working on the square earlier including forking it to facilitate drainage), two Walkers and the Secretary. Hugo Hanchet was due to come later.
Overnight rain was not predicted and did not fall. But rainbursts interspersed with drizzle were forecast to start at 10.00 am.
Will and George Humphreys left home at 6.00 am to be at the ground at 9.00am with Tom Isom (joined by the Secretary shortly after) to put the rest of the tarpaulins over the square and immediate outfield. But there were no tarpaulins there.
Undeterred, a foray was made to the President's house where the pyjama-clad occupant gave the word for 3 of his tarpaulins to be taken. Meanwhile, Dan Collins, a local resident walking his dogs, was accosted and driven to his house where 4 big plastic sheets were made available.
With heavy cloud overhead and the wind getting up, Will Humphreys drove to the docks and then on to Avonmouth to look for more tarpaulins, on return bringing back 20 big ones that he had bought.
So the party of 4 set about laying the covers in a race against time ahead of incoming squalls. But how to weigh them down in the 35mph winds? It was back to the President's house to get fence posts. 89 x 6" posts were carried over and the flapping covers were spread one by one over most of the square and the low-lying areas of the outfield adjacent. Hugo Hanchet might be bringing some more later.
By 12.30pm the biggest squalls had blown by and the main body of team members arrived to remove the covers, carefully depositing the surplus water away from the playing area.
Umpires arrived at 1.00 pm and seemed impressed by the efforts made to keep the square dry and get the game started. The F & P players began manically practising, mostly their catching, and affecting a professional demeanour.
By 1.45pm drizzle had set in but the toss went ahead and skipper Alastair McArthur struck the first blow of the contest sending Phoenix in to bat.
The umpires, despite the heavier drizzle, marched out the the centre and got the game going. The second strategic objective had been achieved but the drizzle was getting worse and the clouds were low and heavy.
Undeterred, Phoenix went off like a rocket. Parish Harper 48 and Amish Bakeria 31 plundered 83 off the first 12 overs. But as the drizzle weakened for a time Mark Walker struck twice up the hill removing both.
The next 8 overs produced just 10 runs and the next 10 overs just 35 runs as Tony Lippe with the wind blowing a gale steamed in over after over down the hill, bowling 8 overs for 10 runs with 3 wickets and 5 maidens in this middle period. Phoenix were 128 for 6 after 30 overs.
But the rain then set in harder and the umpires called the players off to take an early tea. The F & P players raced to the boundary edge to pull the tarpaulins back on, carry the posts back over to weigh them down and re-cover the playing area, assisted by spectator Darryl McArthur clad in extreme wet-weather gear.
Tea was tense. The umpires it seems had not yet counted any time as time lost and there was much reading of the Rules section of the League Handbook. Concepts of reduction to 30 overs, of the first half an hour lost being disregarded and what they did in other Leagues filled the space around Dave Sherwin's egg sandwiches.
Had the rain lightened to light drizzle enough to re-start? The umpires thought so and it was the race back now to pull the covers off, remove the surface water from them and get the 6" posts off the area.
We were away again but now maybe 45 minutes behind schedule. August nights draw in. This was still a 45 over game with no reduction. Would the light hold, even if the rain held off?
Phoenix now upped their run-rate. Barry Gale 58 held the middle order together and boundaries started to flow in the drizzle. Will Humphreys was setting standards behind the stumps but a crack on the finger looked to have broken it and he left the field to come back on strapped to keep keeping. Another 5 minutes lost.
It was now 150 for 6 in the 35th over, the score creeping up. When Tony Lippe came off at last with 15-5-37-4 the Phoenix tail really set about the bowling lifting the final score after 45 overs to 218 for 9, despite a tight spell from Charlie Walker ending with 2 for 25 off his 8. This looked a formidable total.
A quick turn-round and the F & P openers Alastair McArthur and Charlie Walker (in the absence of Simon Bachelor away on holiday) set out on the chase. 219 to get in 45 overs? But in reality, as the gloom set in, there would surely be no more than 30 overs of play left before the umpires called it too dangerous to continue.
The start was careful but solid. 25 for no loss after 7. That left almost 194 to get in likely 23 overs. 8.4 runs an over needed.
The Chairman appeared on the far side huddled against the hedge in his red peacock jacket, fresh from an abandonment at Claverham down the coast.
Now Charlie Walker began to open out. It was very dark but boundary after boundary came, interspersed with quick running between the wickets. Time ticked by in the fields looking for lost balls but replacements were hurled on with umpire-urging strong from the pavilion.
But it was getting so very dark. In the long grass in the far field someone through he caught the glint of Marvin Straightjacket's binoculars. Hitman Mark Walker was padded up ready, pacing up and down practising his shot. Should he be sent in next? Should he be saved for later? Would there be a later?
The openers had put on 146. But then McArthur fell for 59. It was his finest innings of the season and of many seasons, more valuable than his 100 last week. It had been in the ultimate testing circumstances but now he was just a spectator.
Walker Senior strode to the middle. Retrieval squads were despatched to the fields either side ready for the onslaught. The Secretary peered from the scorebox in the gloom. Walker peered at Phoenix captain Nathan Bowen coming in at him down the hill and his off stump cartwheeled backwards first ball. The Failand wild card had been played. The men of Portbury trudged in from the fields.
Back to the normal batting order and Ed Humphreys was sent out to join Walker Minor and still 79 needed. Hugo Hanchet would come later.
Phoenix keeper Vergo was now struck by a lifter below the belt. He lay prostrate and then supine and then prostrate again. A group gathered round him. Time ticked on. He was agonised. The spectators were agonised but for different reasons. Finally the umpires marched towards him with purpose. He was on his feet again. Play could resume. 5 minutes lost.
Walker Minor knew it was now or never and began to unleash a commanding array of strikes to the boundary. He was going for it and succeeding with the middle of the bat. The running between the wickets went up to breakneck speed. The fielders hunched down against the cold. The wind swept on but the rain had stopped and surely the light was improving?
Inside the scorebox it was mayhem. The Chairman had come in and taken over the visitors' book. He was firing out questions like a gattling gun. "What's the score now?" "Is that the end of the over?" "What time did the game start?" You could touch the tension as Secretary and Chairman each marked down each run in his book like it was Judgment Day.
Out in the middle Nathan Bowen, whose return down the hill had yielded the 2 wickets, was despatched for 16 and 18 in successive overs. 187 for 2 off 28 overs. Still 32 needed.
The President himself had come out to see his club home, sheltering against the wall. Had he come to oversee this critical phase? Or had he come watchful lest his 6" fence posts and tarpaulins should disappear into the night?
Hopes had risen for the first time now in the scorebox. 200 off 29 and surely the umpires would not call it off with so few to get?
The runs kept flowing and the weary fielders looked at the end of their tether. Walker had passed his 100, his first in League games for the club and what an innings! The betting was firm that he would carry through to the end. But with the deficit still 1 run he at last fell to one skier too many and left the field at 125 to a standing ovation.
Who would be the chosen one now to be sent in to administer the mortal blow? Hugo Hanchet? No, he would come later. It was to be the Finisher, The Sherwinator. Who else.
And so it was that one more boundary from Ed Humphreys left on 15* was enough and Failand & Portbury had got home with 219 for 3 off 31.1 overs.
It had been a mighty victory against the odds. Phoenix looked shattered but they had given their all and were as generous in defeat as they had been in victory on their ground earlier in the season - formidable and respected opponents.
Now desparate efforts were made to get the covers back on for the game the following day but the wind was too strong and men and tarpaulins could do no more in the gathering storm.
It was over. 25 gold-dust league points had been gained and Phoenix had been leapfrogged into the promotion position.
The ground emptied. Night fell and the long-threatened rain set in. But Failand & Portbury were home and dry.
Next day Paul Bachelor was up early cleaning the pavilion. In the afternoon Ed Humphreys, Heather and the Secretary cleared the ground of the covers, trudging back the 89 x 6" fence posts and 24 tarpaulins to where they came from. Hugo was said to be coming later.
The President appeared on his tractor. "Is all well?" he asked.
"All is well" they replied.
All was well in Lower Failand.
Full scorecard at 1st XI v Phoenix West Indians (home) 16th August 2008