Scoreboard Confessional: A Dutch Special featuring Tarick Weber

[Neil Pickup]

Ashes effect! This is what the Exeter Express and Echo thinks of the "Freddie Factor"...

I got ten overs in at Blundell's School today before it hammered it down as I was about to bring myself on to bowl. Is God trying to tell me something?

Meanwhile, Exeter St James continued their mission of inflicting suffering upon me at any possible opportunity. Our under 12s imploded from 14/0 to 31/8 as nine-year-old Tom (this kid is going to be very good) returned the moderately acceptable figures of 4-3-1-5. He's on nineteen for 2006 so far... that's five more than I've got, ever.

 

[Neil Pickup]

Bristow ton accounts for Yelverton

Exeter Uni IV 224 for 5 (Harry Bristow 108, Charlie Morris 2-43) beat Yelverton Bohemians 122 for 7 (Sam Yaxley 2-4, Will Emeny 2-11) by 102 runs

The Fourth XI’s incredibly inconsistent season continued on Bank Holiday Monday in the rustic settings of Yelverton Bohemians CC, near Plymouth, as they recorded a comfortable 102-run win – but not without driving their captain to the edge of a nervous breakdown.

Having taken the scenic route over Dartmoor, Neil Pickup promptly lost the toss (again), and the record books show that his last successful call was on May 18, 2005. Nevertheless, the hosts elected to insert Exeter, and then realise they had just ten players.

Following a brief stint from Will Emeny – and an even briefer cameo with the bat from Sam Yaxley - Pickup stepped into the breach for 31 completely unnecessary overs in the field, and was bizarrely stationed at slip for an extended period. Jamie Bill perished, slapping to cover, to unite John Biddick and Harry Bristow for a productive third-wicket stand, until Biddick prised the dubious honour of “batsman dismissed by youngest bowler” away from Yaxley as he saw Charlie Morris (13 years and 327 days) knock back his off stump.

Rob Woodward missed a straight ball, Emeny ensured that Biddick wouldn’t be the only one dismissed by a small boy, before Pickup, having made frequent attempts to run out his own team mates, resorted to sledging them. The effect was slightly dampened a handful of overs later as he spilled a difficult chance from Bristow, charging backwards towards third man [honestly]. Bristow, having already been reprieved early on – shelled on the boundary by Geraint “it’s Welsh for **** Hands” Heath in Morris’ first over – ended unbeaten on 109. Alongside Dave Needham (20* including 18 singles), the students added 104 for the sixth wicket.

Following a fantastic tea (we’re definitely going back next year), the question now turned to whether Pickup could end a barren spell with the ball that pre-dated the barren spell with the coin (2 May 2004) and actually get someone out. The answer, unfortunately, was no.

Luke Rosier took a wicket on debut and Tom Pugh added two further victims as Yelverton fell well behind the asking rate, but all that Pickup found was frustration (and more dropped catches, it’s now five this season, plus a missed stumping, and a refusal, and that time the bails didn’t fall off). Even a ninth over, caused predominantly by innumeracy brought on by the frustration of watching Yaxley get someone out – courtesy of a smart slip catch from Bristow – couldn’t bring anything more than figures damage. Eight overs for 20 became nine for 31 as 14-year-old Tom Watkins (who Jamie Bill had earlier seemingly tried to kill with a series of beamers) took advantage of the slightly reckless field placings.

With Emeny having chipped in with two wickets, Yaxley added a second victim – castling the unlucky Watkins as the schoolboy aimed to plant the gentle medium pace over the sightscreen – and further confirming his captain’s hatred for bowling averages.

 

[Neil Pickup]

Cracking game tonight at the County Ground...

Exeter U12 191-3 [20.0]
Honiton U12 22 [12.0]

Thank God we lost the toss.

 

[Neil Pickup]

Exeter University IV 131 Richards 18, Spurrier 18, Pickup 13, French 4-24, Cheverton 3-19
Mardon Halls XI 124 Cheverton 39*, Biddick 35, Harrison 3-16, Thurgood 2-29, Pickup 2-38

Finally.

 

[superkingdave]

the 13 or the 2-38?

 

[Neil Pickup]

the 13 or the 2-38?

Both, and the fact that I won the toss.

 

[Neil Pickup]

Today...

Ivybridge 174-9 [40] - Brooklyn 3/36, Thurgood 2/31
Exeter Uni IV 111 [35.2] - Broooklyn 21, Pickup 18

I was very pleased with our bowling perfomance - very tight all round, not many extras, good catching. I kept on the grounds of none other available, and conceded three byes on a pitch which was up-and-down - all of them standing up to medium pacers. Signed off with a catch from a nick from the opening bowler from the penultimate ball of the innings, not before I'd had one very very loud leg-side shout turned down.

In reply, we started nicely, and then all four wheels simultaneously fell off. 31-1 became 70-8 and with 12 overs remaining, we needed 104. Not particularly concerned by this, Brooky took the majority of strike and kept us close(ish) to the asking rate before falling caught behind and leaving us 94-9. This brought Thurgood to the crease - and he has one shot, the forward defensive. There was only one way we'd make 80 in 8 overs, and that was if I got them all.

One boundary, swept to the 85-yard midwicket boundary and into the river the other side, got me started, before another sweep went finer and I enjoyed the novelty of having a fielder put back for me. I then decided that the seamer at the other end was ripe for coming down the track to, and one off drive went for two before a swish through midwicket reached the ropes. A single brought me my highest score ever, and kept me the strike, but with 5 overs to go, we needed 64. I blocked the first ball of the next over, aimed a huge swipe at the second, and got bowled. Oh well...

*+NS Pickup b Gunn 18 (16 balls, 22 minutes, 3x4)

 

[superkingdave]

promotion must be in order?

 

[Neil Pickup]

Cricket's a funny game.

Simba CC 135 [34.5] Pickup 4/34, Harper 2/11
Exeter University IV 136-6 [24.4] Harper 40, Cox 18*

I started keeping, dropped a catch first ball (legside, diving), and proceeded to catch about three balls in the next eleven overs until I abandoned it as a bad job. I then bowled seven overs of long hops, half volleys, wides, a couple of good balls and the occasional bouncer, saw two batsman smear me straight to deep square leg and two chip it up for the keeper.

This game makes no sense.

 

[Kweek]

I know the feeling..my good balls were despatched for 6 on sunday..crap balls they edged or missed!
I was on the verge of quiting cricket tonight...****ed up people that play the funny game.

 

[Neil Pickup]

Exeter University IV 206-8 [40] (Gallienne 82*, Biddick 30)
Ashburton CC 202-8 [40]

I made 9 as part of a 28-run stand for the eighth wicket - two fours - before being caught off a skier at deep point as I tried to hit their opening bowler over cover in the 37th over. They were always in touch with the run rate with wickets in hands, and it was late and dark so we were banned from using our quicks. I then managed to sledge out their number six (on 50) with 24 needed off 28.

I decided to ask him if the nets at the end of the pitch had ever been cleared before. He said yes, I said that'd be a nice way to finish it, wouldn't it? Next ball - straight up in the air, drops between bowler and mid off. Ball after - clean bowled having a moo. Kept it tightish thereafter and held on - conceded 8 byes in the 40, but was not at all happy with 4 no-balls for taking the ball in front of the stumps.

I also managed something that could pass as wit - one of our fielders said something about building pressure, can't remember exactly what, and the bowler said it sounded like a Bond film. Next ball is a hideously loopy pie about six feet (yes) outside off. Me: "Moonraker".

Finally, we set a record for youngest EU4 player, as 11-y-o Xander played for us because we only had ten. I expect he'll be taking the mickey out of his brother in the Ashburton side for a few days.

 

[luckyeddie]

That ought to be called 'Tinoing' as opposed to sledging.

Well played, Pickup.

 

[Neil Pickup]

Exeter Uni 197-9 [40]
Warwick Uni 182 [39.4]

I played a glorious ten-ball cameo for 17* with three fours, all hit off the opening bowler. Firstly, a flick off my waist down to fine leg, then I got hit by a bouncer. Didn't stop me comig forward next ball and creaming it through the covers, and then in the last over I played a front-foot pull through midwicket from about three steps down the track. Great fun.

Bowled 3-0-23-0 later - too much too short too legside - but I took my first outfield catch since June 2002 when I caught a very standard leading edged at cover in the third over. Spoilt that somewhat with a spill at slip in the 37th. Got one hand to it in front of knee and didn't hold on.

 

[superkingdave]

turning yourself into a batting allrounder Neil?

 

[Neil Pickup]

I've no idea what's going on with my game, no idea at all.

Batting 30.08.85 to 07.06.06: 24 innings, 5 not outs, 48 runs @ 2.53
Batting 14.06.06 to 29.06.06: 5 innings, 1 not out, 58 runs @ 14.50

I'm loving it - and I'm playing twice at the weekend too. Next stop twenty...

 

[Neil Pickup]

Babbacombe II 126 (41.2)
Exeter III 128-1 (23)

Our opening bowlers had a combined age of 27, and still we rolled them. Added one more outfield catch to Thursday's as their number five lifted a gentle lollipop to square leg. Then watched 2 & 3 ease us home.

 

[Neil Pickup]

Exeter 125 [39.2] - Harrold 57, Millington 22
Roborough 128-2 [19.4]

Ouch. We were four down very early on when I came in, which then became five down soon afterwards as I left my fifteenth ball, only to see it swing in and hit off stump. Less said the better.

 

[Neil Pickup]

Sunday

Feniton 237 (Frankpitt 110)
Exeter 238-6 (Johnston 128*, Pickup 16)

It started off pretty hideously for us, and me in particular. The final ball of the first over was heading towards the long off boundary, and I was racing to catch it up. I stopped it inches inside the boundary and, such is the nature of momentum, kept going and tumbled forwards. Unfortunately, there was a large fence about a foot beyond the line. Below are the pictures of a) the fence and b) my head after our altercation. I think it's a score draw.

After that, their batters spent some time testing out the houses around the ground for ball resistance, until one slog too many led to a wicket and a more sedentary spell, before their number three cut loose on his way to 110, again clearing the fence and the netting and the house behind the shot in the photo below. Next ball, however, went straight up and I held onto it at midwicket having had plenty of time to think about dropping it, and how you catch with one hand being covered in plasters (more after effects of the earlier altercation). That triggered a collapse, and despite me dropping one catch running in at midwicket, Feniton only made 237 having threatened 300 when Frankpitt was hitting. So glad I caught that skier.

We started fitfully, losing regular wickets to the point where I came in after 25 overs with the score 145-5. The plan for the next overs was hit the loose balls hard and run the singles. I ran, and ran, and ran. 11-year-old Theo, who was watching the end, said I was 'really quick between the wickets'. We added 89 for the sixth wicket as Johnston hit the loose balls much further than I did. I was run out in the 38th over coming back for a second to try keeping him on strike, but by then I had made 16 - all run, and twelve of them singles - and we were four runs short. He hit the next ball for four, straight down the ground, and we'd won.

The Colts in the team (one U14, two U13s and an U12 playing his first senior game) decided that my bang on the head had made me into a better batsman. Right now I don't care.

 

[superkingdave]

seems like an important batting contribution every week Neil, no bowling?

 

[Neil Pickup]

seems like an important batting contribution every week Neil, no bowling?

The Exeter CC Midweek/Thirds/Sunday skipper hasn't forgotten a spell of full tosses that cost 3-0-49-0 two summers ago. I've been allowed two overs this year, and they were bowled at excessive loop to try enticing a shot out of a number eleven... I keep trying to get a trundle, but right now I'm in the team as a batsman!