A GLORIOUS DAY FOR A REUNION AT SOUTH NORTH.

5th Aug 2024

A GLORIOUS DAY FOR A REUNION AT SOUTH NORTH.

A SN Past X1 v A SN Present X1: Wed 31^st July 2024, 80 overs.

SNCC Past X1 150ao (38o) Danny Clark 21, Greg Tomlinson 14, Neil Corby 17, Michael Harbottle 40, Jonny Boyes 24, Adam Beaney 3, James Hutton 18*: Will Young 1-23, Albie McPate 0-15, George McConnell 1-16, George Gray 3-14, Varun Gudipati 0-22, Jacques Graham 3-24, Tom Oliver 0-13, Will Oliver 1-18, Nick Tomlinson 1-3: 

SNCC Present X1 152-3 (21.2o) James Miller 0, Will Carr 0, George McConnell 50*rno, Nick Tomlinson 25, George Gray 54*rno, Varun Gudipati 15, Albie McPate 2*: Jonny Boyes 2-22, James Hutton 0-24, David Harbottle 0-27, Matthew Kinmond 1-36, Charles Cleland 0-28, Michael Harbottle 0-9, Neil Corby 0-6.

SNCC Present X1 won by 7 wickets.

Reunions always bring a smile & this inaugural one was no exception thanks to the efforts of Jonny Boyes (not wanting the last Brad game in 2023 to be the last time he played at SNCC) in assembling a willing Past X1, many of whom travelled a distance to play once more at the special place that is Roseworth Terrace evoking memories of past deeds.

Perfect weather saw the ground at its best, thanks as ever to Craig Thompson & Liam Dodgson. Peter Young, Phil Tait & Howard Sidney-Wilmot umpired unobtrusively, Harriet McConnell scored precisely, family members watched, Bill & Jackie provided excellent catering, smiles abounded, stories were told!

Late Present X1 team changes saw Tris Meears-White, Jon Gill & Matty Hall replaced by Tom Oliver, Will Oliver & a 'transfer' of James Miller.

The Past X1 batted first, Danny Clark & Greg Tomlinson faced the seam of Will Young & Albie McPate. A  steady start including a glorious cover drive by Greg (14) before he feathered behind to w/k Will Carr off Will Young, 28-1 in the11th.

A whipped boundary to backward square leg by Neil Corby & a Danny Clark cover drive brought back memories but the introduction of George McConnell (lm) & George Gray (ob) saw Neil (17) lobbing to cover at 49 off George Gray, Varun taking the catch. In the same over George found one to bowl Jared (3) & 3 overs later Danny (21) drove George McConnell hard to gully where Varun pulled off an outstanding catch in two hands moving & tumbling to his left, 65-4.

Michael Harbottle & Jonny Boyes settled. Varun (rm) & Jacques (sla) entered the attack. 'The Pro' hit down the ground imperiously for 4 & 6 , the score rose until in over 33, facing Jacques, both Michael (40) & Jonny (24) thought to challenge the legendary fielding skills of James Miller at mid on & both were caught! 127-6.

Adam Beaney (3) edged to w/k Will Carr off George Gray in over 34, 129-7. James Hutton (Jabba) stroked 3 nice boundaries but David Harbottle (0) was bowled by Jacques in the 35th, 8 down. Tom Oliver (lm) & Will Oliver (rm) bowled two overs each. Nick T one from the Park end, in which Charles Cleland (4) drove one back to him, 146-9 in the 37th. In his second, Will persuaded Matthew Kinmond (0) to hit to mid on where namesake Tom took the catch, 151ao after 38 overs.

The food was lovely, photos were taken & at 1330 the recently refurbished John Bradford bench was unveiled attended by David Venn, Peter Crane, Ian Watson, Phil Tait & Nick Brown. Residing in its rightful place under the home changing room window, this 15 foot, treated redwood bench, with newly polished plaque, is a tribute to joiner Dean Johnstone, timber supplier James Southern, John & Libby Ruddick. It remains a fitting tribute to an old friend of SNCC taken too soon in 1998, aged 55.

A dramatic start to the Present X1 innings as Jonny Boyes struck with his first & third deliveries. James Miller (0) pulled to mid wicket where Charles Cleland took the catch & two balls later Will Carr left an in swinger which hit his off stump.

Enter George McConnell at 3. In 27 balls & 29 minutes George hit 50 (retired not out) with 10 x4 & 1x6 to all parts, mostly in front of the wicket, in an awesome display of clean ball striking, not giving a chance. An innings which took the game away from the visitors, 60-2 in the 7^th over as Jonny, James & Matthew all suffered. Nick spectated appreciatively.

George Gray continued in a more sedate vein as David Harbottle bowled a steady spell & Matthew Kinmond found some rhythm. At 103 in the 15^th Nick (25) skied Matthew to mid on where Danny took the catch. Varun joined George who then accelerated hitting Charles for 18 in over 21 including 2x6, retiring with 54* (46b, 6x4 2x6).

The end was nigh. Neil Corby bowled two balls, conceded 6 as the Present X1 eased to a 7 wicket, Varun 15* Albie 2*. On a sunny day the prospect of bowling 40 overs did not appeal so the innings closed. 

Grateful thanks were given, a Shield presented to winning captain Nick & a 'Player of the Match' recognition to George McConnell for his explosive batting with George Gray a worthy mention for wickets & runs.

The evening was filled with reminiscence & curry. 

Another such game is to be proposed for around the same time in 2025 in the fervent hope that the fixture commitments on a busy ground will permit. The request for the Past X1 to  use the home changing room has been noted !

Most sincere thanks to all those who made this day possible & who participated so willingly.

Duncan.