He’s Nicked It!
On the Button!
Nick Nicks It!

However you write it this was a stunning evening in every sense and although a certain Mr Button captured the headlines the reality was that this was a stupendous team performance with exhilarating play from any number of individuals.

Verulanium, a sunny evening, church bells ringing and a competitive and fun cricket match – Perfect!!!

The format was 20/20 with a maximum of three overs per bowler. Garden Fields were to bat first so a depleted Saddos team took to the field. With numbers made up by Joe and Alfie Button the average age was reduced dramatically and youthful enthusiasm abounded throughout the team.

Tim Winfield opened the bowling from the Hypocaust end with a typically pacy and controlled spell. Only nine runs from his three overs demonstrated the knots that he had the batsmen tied up in but this time wickets weren’t to fall.

At the opposite end Pete Stauvers was finding the batting less to his liking but even then they were struggling to get the ball away.

After five overs though a useful partnership was growing. With 29 runs on the board something new was needed and Captain Peter Cook threw the ball to Roger Barton. With his first delivery middle and off stump of the big hitting opener were scattered as he marched down the strip to hit a ball that stayed straight. Barton was to follow this with a spell of bowling that deceived the bat a number of times and was to get his return with a ball slightly down leg that flicked up for a sharply taken catch by wicket keeper Phillip Cowen.

Meanwhile at the opposite end leading wicket taker Jonathan Hook was firing down deliveries and in the third over of his spell was to take a thick edge that was held by Peter Church at fly slip.

Debutant for the Saddos, Rob Chaplin, took over at the Westminster Lodge end and bowled two controlled overs that bode well for the future.

Nick Button took over from Jonathan and, apart from a loosener that was harshly declared wide, delivered another quick and hostile spell that had the batsmen struggling to get near the ball.

It was the change from Chaplin to Church that was to turn the innings though. With the batsmen beginning to get a flavour for the run chase he took a sharp caught and bowled to his right in his first over. He was to follow this up next over with a delivery that that was snapped up off the bats edge by Keeper Cowen.

At the Hypocaust end Peter Cook was also to strike with his first ball. A looping delivery was completely mistimed by the batsman and went to the safe hands of Rob Chaplin at short mid-on.
With Garden Fields remaining big hit batsman at the wrong end going into the final over, keeping him there was going to be key. Peter Church’s deliveries were everything you would want them to be – tight controlled and seeing off two batsmen, both clean bowled. His final numbers of 4 wickets for 11 runs off three overs will probably remain a season best but only tell part of the story – it restricted the Garden Fields total and meant the target for batting stayed at slightly under six an over.

119 to win looked an achievable total and openers Tim Winfield and Phillip Cowen set about it with gusto. Early runs were at a premium up to the fifth over though and with only 21 runs on the board and good shots falling short of the boundary a nervousness was spreading. The next six balls changed all that as first Winfield and then Cowen hit boundaries to take 13 from the over and the chase was on. Tim Winfield was to hit a sweet six into the nettles past the long on boundary and Cowen was to hit three boundaries in his undefeated total of 27.

With Winfield passing the retirement score of 25 the call went out with one ball left in the over. He went for the big hit to get runs for the team but missed and his stumps scattered, an unfair conclusion to an excellent innings.

Pete Stauvers came to the crease and quickly hit the first of two boundaries in his total of 18, both short arm pulls to the leg side that showed his growing confidence with the bat.

Rob Chaplin in his first Saddos innings at bat contributed four runs before trying to smash a ball that stayed straight.

This was to bring that man Church in to bat and he went about it in typically flamboyant style. After warming up with a succession of singles he was to hit two maximums including one that cracked off the top of a long on tree. With the run chase truly on this was just what was required and he was matching the stroke play with exuberant running between the wickets.

The borderline between smartly taken singles and suicidal running is a fine thing as Peter Stauvers and Peter Cook were both to find out to their cost. A pattern emerged – the batsmen would somehow keep the ball out, Church would call and the surprised batsmen would then find him at their end of the wicket.

Final over, nine needed to win, Church sets off on another tight run – Peter Cook doesn’t. At least Peter Stauvers had the chance to start his run before meeting Church racing towards him. Peter Cook was still working out how he’d kept the Yorker ball out when he was standing next to his partner.

Five balls, nine needed to win. Dot ball.

Four balls, nine needed to win. This time Church decides to lose his own wicket rather than another partner and he leaves the centre with 24 runs and a hugely enjoyable innings to his name.

Three balls, nine needed to win. Nick Button at bat, Jonathan Hook at the non-batting end. A quick full toss outside off stump. Button swings and misses. The Garden Fields scorer points out that only a six and four can win it now. How unlikely is that!

Two balls, nine needed to win. A reasonable ball is smacked by Button flat and in the air to the long on boundary. SIX! The tension builds as the fielders search the nettles for the ball.

One ball, three to win. Run! Whatever happens, run! Unless Button smashes the ball long, high and straight over the long on boundary of course. SIX! Unbelievable!!! Three deliveries, 12 runs and the match won in the most amazing fashion.

An absolutely astonishing win but all credit to Garden Fields who played in the best spirit of the game and even with victory snatched from their grasp were totally magnanimous. It truly was a pleasure to play them.

Man of the Match without doubt was Peter Church, four wickets, 24 spectacular runs and a catch set up the win in every sense. However, that final astonishing over and Nick Button’s three ball victory innings is without doubt the champagne moment and has to be a leading contender for every award going at the end of season bash.

Special mention to Peter Cook for his fantastic captaincy, Phillip Cowen for fabulous work behind the stumps and both Button’s Junior for stepping up for the cause when called upon.

It’s hard to imagine how the Verulam game or any other can live up to this one!