Detail: 10-06-2007 -
Result:
Aidan Liddell
Tom Ellen
Matt Fitzgerald
Steve Millard
Dan Beard
Richard Griffith
Steve Metson
Nick Clark
Matt Rolfe
Tim Clark
Sam Selleck
Magdalen 169-6 (Beard 2-18, Ellen 2-14) beat the Blues 161 all out (Rolfe 44, Beard 27)
The Blues 100% record went up in smoke on Sunday - defeat was spectacularly snatched from the jaws of victory following a batting collapse that must rank highly on the long list of Blues all time great melt downs.
The Blues welcomed three debutants - Steve Millard, Dan Beard and Richard Griffith - all mates of Matt Fitz's from London Welsh.
The Magdalen innings followed a rather stereotypical "Blues bowling first" pattern - reduced to 50-5 by an impressive bowling and fielding display and then let off the hook as the Blues start to worry about the opposition not having enough runs and completely loose focus allowing Magdalen to somehow scramble to 169-6. Ellen and Nick Clark opened up for the Blues - both bowling tidy nine over spells and picking up three wickets between them and restricting run scoring. N Clark, once he had got his radar sorted bowled a beautiful spell of swing bowling, passing the bat time and again. The first change bowlers continued where the openers had left off - Steve "the Duck" Millard slipping in a few beamers to spice things up before settling into a great line and length and Dan B bowling at a good pace for a sustained period and picking up two useful wickets for not many runs. Clark senior and Selleck then took up the mantle - Clark picking up the important wicket of their useful South African bat in a useful 6 over spell and Selleck unfortunate not to be rewarded for frequently beating the bat. It was left Griff to wrap up proceedings with an entertaining spell of medium pace bowling that kept both batsmen and fieldsmen on their toes.
It is fair to say that during the 46 over stint in the field minds Blues minds wandered slightly but the team was kept entertained by a prominent fielding display from Fitz, taking two impressive catches from balls hit hard at him but looking less comfortable when movement was required – his own very honest admission that he took two of the five chances that came his way, although slightly harsh, takes him straight to the top of the “top of the drops leader board”. Tim Clark took an impressive catch at extra cover and both Steve Metson and Matt Rolfe (sharing keeping duties) were tidy behind the stumps.
The Blues started there reply strongly with Metson and the Duck both looking comfortable. However Magdalen have a reasonably good bowling attack and Metson was soon deceived into nicking one behind and the Duck drove one straight to cover point. When Fitz departed cheaply having nicked a good delivery to the keeper the Blues were in trouble on 23 for 3. There followed an impressive partnership between Rolfe and Liddell which seemingly bought the Blues close to victory. Rolfe batted beautifully scoring a pleasing 44 which included one superb straight six and an array of aggressive stroke making. When he was bowled by one that cut back off the pitch the Blues were edging closer at 100-4. Griff then came to the crease and looked comfortable until he shouldered arms to a straight one. Liddell kept plugging away batting diligently for his 25 and taking the Blues up to 130 before he chipped one straight to mid off. Dan B and Ellen were left with the task off seeing the Blues home and it looked like a formality as Dan hit a succession of boundaries to take the score to 158.
It didn’t get much better though as Ellen’s scratchy effort (6 consecutive plays and misses in one over) was bought to an end ct behind. Selleck was then bowled third ball and Dan was caught out in the deep. Tim Clark was then trapped LBW without scoring and the Blues had collapsed to 161 all out.
So ended the dream of an unbeaten season.
[updated 30 Jul 18]