Page 186 - Bugle Autumn 2014

The annual Saturday fixture against IZ was sadly abandoned due to rain and so the final match of the week against the Free Foresters was played by a team with fresher legs and sharper senses than usual. Unfortunately this had no influence on the result as the Free Foresters were too strong on the day for RCC. Chasing 304 to win after a punishing time in the field Rfn Burt-Mitchell (39) and OCdt Josh Lee (29) batted well at the top of the innings before the all too familiar collapse followed with RCC moving from 88 – 2 to 93 – 7
at the double and, despite an attempted rearguard effort from the tail, RCC were all out for 118. While the results did not look good, the Festival week produced memorable moments and provided
an opportunity for Riflemen from all Battalions to test themselves against high quality opposition.
Almost a month passed before the Club again took to the field due to cancellations a feeling of déjà vu seemed likely. However the travails of the summer to date were blown away by some swift and bold bowling and fielding: the OW’s, put into bat, limped to 98 – 5 at lunch with Rfn Tyrone McKeeman and LCpl Kenny England ably supporting Henry Hughes bowling superbly. Lunch invigorated the visitors who accelerated taking advantage of some tired fielding
to reach a declaration at 263 – 9. Now the season’s lack of confidence reared its head and the RCC found itself 31 for 3 at tea and again were facing another chastening defeat. Into this trench stepped LCpl Edd Alexander not previously known as a cricketer who produced the innings of the season to anchor RCC and guide the Club to a well deserved victory. Well supported by LCpl Kenny England (56) and Lt Tom Legge (58*) Alexander scored a measured 106 from 92 balls: his celebration of a century for his Regiment gave great pleasure to all who witnessed it. It was an emphatic Win much enjoyed hailing as it did from an impossible position and ended the Season on a bright note.
RCC at the St Cross Celebrity 6’s Competition
The second annual St Cross Celebrity 6’s, on 20th July, saw an RCC team entered. Cpl Kev McDelling captained the VI with
what a fantastic event St Cross had organised. After autographs and photos with some of the Hampshire players the
but sadly consistent with other RCC batting performances this year when chasing.
Another break in the programme allowed
LCpl Ed Alexander after leading RCC to victory against the Old Wykehamists
Rfn Ross Williams, LCpl Ed Alexander, Cpl Kester Baptiste and Capt Rob Buchanan being joined by the ‘Pro’ Dale Benkstein
a South African
team tried their hand at the coconut shy, with Alexander intent on winning a year’s free haircuts, and the other fairground
attractions present. The second fixture,
against the hot favourites Bradley Gieves including IPL MVP 2013 Glenn Maxwell (Australia and Hampshire CCC) began with RCC taking to the field. With the first ball
of the innings McDelling dismissed Maxwell, clean bowled for a golden duck. This set off wild celebrations from the RCC team and
is easily the RCC moment of the season to date. Bradley Gieves scored 77 after five overs leaving RCC were in with a strong chance of winning
the team to get acquainted with the Ageas Angels following a very entertaining dance routine display. Based on their Rifles charm McDelling, Alexander, Baptiste and Williams were persuaded to compete in the salsa competition with each partnered by an Angel. Sadly RCC finished empty handed in this competition also, but not before the RCC secretary had some very entertaining photographs for the BUGLE!
The final match played against the Presidents VI and containing Hampshire captain Jimmy Adams required RCC to win and hit at least 12 sixes in their innings to have any chance of reaching the final. Batting first against the best bowling attack of the day RCC scored 70 runs but failed to make the sixes requirement despite
the efforts of Alexander and Baptiste. The
match concluded in thrilling fashion as chasing two off the last ball RCC engineered an excellent run out to leave the match Tied.
A fantastic day which was enjoyed by all and a great pleasure to be a part of successful
charity event raising money for Hampshire in the Community, St Cross Hospital and our own Care4Casualties.
International ODI
cap, Durham CCC
player and currently
the Hampshire CCC
1st Team coach –
each team is given a
professional player.
Confidence was high as
the Team arrived at St
Cross and were introduced to Benkstein. Ed Note: 6-a-side cricket sees each player less the keeper bowl one over; batsmen are retired on 25 but may return if wickets fall.
The competition got off to a great start against Chic Teak as RCC, put into bat first, reached 95 without loss off the allocated overs. Baptiste and Benkenstein were both ‘retired (not out)’ on 28 after some powerful hitting and McDelling and Alexander continued in the same vein. In the field RCC bowled well and easily won the match with Chic Teak restricted to 84 of their allotted five overs. A rueful RCC Secretary has to point out that in five overs we surpassed two of our scores in the longer format this year!!!
With a gap in the programme until the next match the players enjoyed what the Festival offered and were quick to realise
After autographs and photos
with some of the Hampshire players the team tried their hand at the coconut shy
given the performance
in the previous match.
Maxwell atoned for
his duck by bowling a
maiden over opening
the bowling for
Bradley Gieves and
from then on RCC
were playing catch
up. Despite strong hitting from Baptiste and Benkenstein and a late push from Alexander, RCC came up short scoring 67 off five overs; a very disappointing result
The match concluded in thrilling fashion as chasing two off the last ball RCC engineered an excellent run out to leave the match Tied
184 RIFLES SPORTS
THE RIFLES