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Cormorants Cricket Club 1999

The opening match against the Cygnets was played on a damp green top at Canford. Poor weather throughout the summer had obviously prevented their groundsman from preparing the fast and true wicket so renowned in previous years. The winning of the toss was always likely to be vital to the outcome of the match. Having been invited to bat first, the Cormorants batsmen never got to terms with the accuracy and venom of the experienced seamer, Radnedge. The Cormorants limped to an unimpressive 113 all out. Only Jamie Dike, with a stubborn 29, played with an assured technique on a difficult track. Although the wicket appeared to play easier when the Cygnets batted, none of the Cormorants bowlers could produce the same amount of penetration as their opponents had achieved earlier. Terry Morgan, the captain, rotated the attack with some skill, but when the breakthrough by Martin Blant did eventually come, it was too little too late, and the hosts, through the veterans Taylor and Hayward, ran out easy winners with nine wickets and one session to spare.

The Bryanston Butterflies have always paid the Cormorants the ultimate compliment by fielding their strongest side. After five successive years of defeats or being at the wrong end of a draw, the Butterflies finally overcame the Cormorants with a handsome seven-wicket victory, to level the series at 13-all. Again the hosts failed to post a reasonable target on a good pitch. The former Cambridge Blue all-rounder, Bucknall, proving too good with the ball, and skittled the Cormorants for 115. Dorset-capped Jamie Dike (28) was again the only frontline batsmen to contribute with a decent knock.

An easy win was secured against the Milton Abbey Old Boys in a half-day game. The Hornets could not cope with the spin and guile of Tom Hicks (6 for 28), and scratched around for a very modest 87 off 47 overs. In reply, the Cormorants decided to change the batting order following their disappointments of the previous two days. There was an early scare when two quick wickets fell, but Guy Hicks (36 not out), with some fine strokes, saw the hosts home by six wickets.

The Cormorants won the toss against the Strollers and decided to bat first on a glorious sunny afternoon. Graeme Owton, went to the middle at the fall of the first wicket looking the worst for wear after a very very late night at the Talbot. He was dropped at square-leg off the first ball he received. In the next two and a quarter hours he then proceeded to dispatch the bowling to all parts of the ground, amassing an undefeated 166 out of a total of 227 for 7 declared. After the match he remarked he could not recall any part of his innings. In reply, the Strollers were well on top at 131 for 2 when the last 20 overs started. However with the introduction of spinner Gavin Tew (6 for 60) to the attack, ably supported by the accurate bowling of Tom Hicks and fine out-fielding throughout the team, the Cormorants gradually clawed their way back in to the game. In an exciting climax, with three overs left, 19 runs or three wickets were required for victory. The game finally ended in a draw with the Strollers hanging on at 222-9.

The final all-day match versus Dorset Rangers was played in a very competitive but friendly spirit. A number of the local Cormorants were out to impress colleagues, with whom they would regularly play alongside at week-ends, and now playing for the opposition. At lunch with the score at 114-2, the Rangers were looking good to set a formidable target. However, the unorthodox left-arm spinner Andrew Dike (5 for 68) had other ideas, and eventually the opposition were bowled out for 202. Skipper Atkinson top-scoring with 52. The in-form Jamie Dike (85) with the young talented left-hander, Jimmy Denning (54), put on a century third-wicket partnership and the Cormorants appeared to be coasting to victory. But once they were separated there followed a flurry of wickets before the winning run was struck with three wickets remaining.

Since its introduction in 1989, the Cormorants Cup has been presented by the President at the dinner to the individual who has excelled himself the most on the field of play. This year, however, it was decided unanimously that the most worthy winner of the trophy was the Chairman, Andrew Beaton, much to his surprise, in recognition of the enormous amount of tireless work and effort he has put in to the successful running of the Cormorants Cricket Club over the past ten years.

It was such a pleasure for everyone to find, the President, David Watkins on his feet again and looking exceedingly fit and well after his illness last year. It was very apt that David, as an old Dark Blue, should present a special award to Tom Hicks for his sporting prowess during 1999. Tom scored a match-saving 50 in the Varsity Match at Lords, was later selected for the British Universities XI to play against New Zealand, and finally represented Dorset in the Minor Counties Cup Final versus Cumberland. He has now been appointed as next season's captain of Oxford University. His achievements are a fine tribute to the school.

As always the week would not be the success it is without the help and support from the school, friends and the locals. Once again, special thanks to the Headmaster for allowing us the use of the school facilities, to the groundsman, Ray Norris, for preparing good cricketing wickets throughout the week and to my nieces, Susannah and Annabel Roberts for making gastronomic lunches and delightful teas. (Any O.C. who is searching for the perfect wife should contact me).

Already the committee is making plans for the year 2000 when the club will be celebrating its 40th Anniversary. A special fixture against the M.C.C. is being sought. It is also hoped to hold a Past versus Present match on the Friday. But the major event will be the dinner to be held at The Crown in Blandford Forum (Friday 14th July). It is anticipated the numbers will far exceed the ninety-three guests who attended a memorable dinner to celebrate the 25th Anniversary. Many readers will have fond memories of that most enjoyable evening. More details of the cricket week and the dinner will be sent out in the New Year. Please make a date in your diary now.

Fixtures for 2000

10th July Canford Cygnets (Home)

11th July Bryanston Butterflies (Away)

12th July M.C.C. (Home) (prov)

13th July Dorset Rangers (Home)

14th July Strollers (Home)

                Past vs. Present

                The Dinner at The Crown

Nick Goumas (62-66)

Club Secretary                             Cormorants Cricket 1999 - Results

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