Never again will this historic duel be fought out at the Cuddington Oval as the Kites start on their new nomadic life. How fitting, therefore, it was that The Tornados won the first and last encounter on the hallowed turf. We shan’t mention what happened in between!
Keen to avenge the 2013 humiliation, the Kites travelled south to Dorset to play on the immaculate 1st XI pitch of the historic school of Sherborne Boys (thanks to Justin Chantry, current Kites and Sherborne alumni for arranging the fixture, particularly in my back yard!).
Tonsley Tornados XI
P. Bruce, G. Tebbitts, J. Franklin, R. Duncan,
C. Grant-Peterkin, M. Twist, M. Brotherton,
J. Southall, R. Worrall, J. Bruce (capt.)
The Kites began hovering over the abbey town the night before and had several jars in the Digby Tap, a curry and a few more jars in the Plume of Feathers. They went to their respective beds to contemplate the day and the challenge ahead.
The Tornados were woefully under manned in numbers but had managed to secure 10 (just about) able bodies. The selection process from the previous year had not worked. The Kites were strong, they batted and bowled deep into the order, they oozed confidence and warmed up ferociously with total disregard for their hangovers. It was impressive stuff, actually slightly concerning. Well, the Kites were put into bat again and the Tornados took to the field with trepidation and a degree of concern that the groundsman may be upset by the distinct lack of talent on display.
However, Simon Evans picked up a duck as he was clean bowled by Chris Grant-Peterkin, a local rangy bowler who was delighted not only to finally play on the 1st XI pitch (he too was an alumni who had plied his trade on the 3rd pitch!), but also to take a wicket in some style. Ed Parsons steadied the ship and Jimmy “Mushtaq” Dowson took the total to 33 for 1 off 7.
Then the heavens opened and the groundsman’s tractor started up and promptly shepherded us back to the pavilion for an early lunch. We were never to return out to the square. The game was abandoned and, as with the Ashes, Tonsley retained the trophy.
The players, now like coiled springs, began warming up for the “Just Bowl Off” trophy. It was a display, the likes of which I had not seen before. The Tornados went 1 and then 2, 3, 4, 5 up in rapid succession! The Kites scraped a point back but the contest was done. The Kites were outclassed and Tonsley retained that trophy too.
For another year our cabinet looks healthy. Well done, chaps!
JB (Skips)
This is getting embarrassing now… things to always bring to a cricket match:
So, there were 22 players out for this game, several spectators and probably a few kids with expensive camera phones too. But not a single photo. Did it really happen? Did the Tornados win? Was it a dream?
Here’s a randomly selected photo from a time when we were less forgetful that just so happens to include two people that should know better…
