Match Reports -2008

Captains Report 2008

In summing up, there have been all the usual highs and lows. For 2009 there are two key elements: at least 5 new squad players are needed, and we need to have serious net practice every week.

See you next season. Dom

Friendly Matches 2008

Once again, Midi hosted two travelling teams from England at the end of the season. First up was the Economist Intelligence Unit. The two teams were evenly matched over the two days, but Midi prevailed in both matches, boosting their confidence before the arrival of the returning visitors Sutton On The Hill from Derbyshire. As in 2007, Sutton proved to be a different proposition altogether, especially in the batting department. They won both games, scoring 218 on the Saturday, with Midi only mustering 134 in reply. Rogers (38), Bowyer (30) and Jordan (23) did well with the bat. Rob Bowyer was man of the match as he also took 4-24. On the Sunday, Midi had to chase down 204. It could've been much worse had it not been for a Man Of the Match 6-27 by Dave Mickelborough. In reply Midi Made a very respectable 164, with Paul Rogers (50) once again showing his class, helped by Harmon (34) and Bowyer (18). Maybe next year Midi will beat Sutton.

Weekend Away 24/25th July at Tarn and Toulouse

Midi was unable to raise a team for this weekend. Very disappointing considering that we had lobbied hard for these double-header weekends, to reduce the number of away trips, and that other teams had changed their calendars to accomodate us. If we continue in this vein next year, then I can imagine a situation where the League will ask us to leave. 2009 is absolutely crucial, and we MUST raise eleven players for every match, home and away.

Midi vs Noé Gascogne Home 6th July 2008

Could Midi put on a better show against the other powerhouse of the Midi Pyrenees League? Once again the visitors batted first. Once again though, Midi let Noé get too many runs. Dom George (3-40) and Ken Miller (2-26) bowled well, but Midi's dropped catches (5) and their inability to polish off the tail was once again their undoing, as Noé finished on 216-8. However, Midi's reply was much better than last time out. Paul Rogers with 29 batted well again, and Rob Bowyer chipped in with a useful 24 as Midi finished on a respectable 146. So there were some reasons for optimism.

Midi vs Tarn, Home 22nd June 2008

After the euphoria of victory against Toulouse, it was back down to earth with a serious ump when Tarn rolled into St. Pons. Tarn batted first, and Midi knew that wickets were essential. Let these guys get their eye in and you're in trouble. Despite having Tarn at 53-2, Midi's bowling was shoddy, and Tarn made steady progress. There was still a glimmer of hope at 108-4, but it was a false dawn. Tarn cut loose, and from 177-8, the 9th wicket pair added a rapid 104 to leave Midi a daunting total of 281 to chase down. Paul Rogers (3-53) and Dom George (3-39) were the only bowlers that didn't get taken to the cleaners. I won't dwell too much on the reply. Suffice to say that extras at 54 were far and away the biggest contributor to the total of 81. Only Paul Rogers with 24 showed any resistance. The fact that Midi could only field 10 players and that an injured Tim Gupwell didn't help, but it was another inept performance.

Midi vsToulouse (League) Home June 9th 2008

After a disappointing performance on the Saturday, Midi were hopeful that they could do better in Sunday’s league match. Toulouse were put in on a pretty miserable, drizzly, early afternoon and were soon in trouble. Rob Bowyer continued his good form with the ball, and Toulouse were soon in trouble at 40-4. Midi again let Toulouse off the hook, spilling a couple of chances, and Toulouse started to head towards three figures. However, a few tight overs from Paul Rogers and David Cole put the brakes on, and Toulouse were all out for 92.

Midi’s reply with the bat was shaky, and when captain Dom George joined Nick Allison at the crease they were 14-2, still needing 79 to win. Both played carefully, hitting the bad ball, and when Dom went for 26, the score stood at 65-3. Despite a couple of scares, Nick held the innings together and carried his bat to finish with an excellent 31 no, as Midi ended on 93-5 in the 21st over. Midi now stand proudly in third place in the Midi Pyrenees League and are looking forward to the visit of tan on the 22nd June.

Midi vsToulouse (Cup) Home June 8th 2008

Report to follow

Midi vs Noé Gascogne Away 24 May 2008

Having won a comprehensive victory over Armagnac, Midi headed off on one of their two away weekend "double-headers" in Gascony with plenty of enthusiasm. The weather forecast was certainly against a full weekend's play, but on arriving at Noé Gascogne's picturesque ground, the sun came out and conditions were ideal.

Unfortunately, that was where the good fortune was to end. The world famous Midi batting collapse put in its' first appearance of the year. And we're not talking middle-order collapse, or a tail that didn't wag: this was a full-on total collapse, with the first wicket falling with the first ball. It has to be said, that put in on a grass track which had seen some rain, the Midi players were just not ready for the sheer slowness of the pitch and lack of bounce. The last time we had played here, the pitch was rock hard and the ball spent much of the time whizzing past the batsmens' ears. The only player to show any resistance was Marc Dalling who carried his bat, and spent some valuable time at the crease.

Top scorer was wides, which says it all. Midi bowled well, but with only 56 to defend, it was only a matter of time before Noé reached their target. A very disappointing result.

Midi 56 all out
Noé 57-3

Midi vs Armagnac Bigorre Away 25 May 2008

After a night in hotels or under canvas, and a strictly enforced "no booze" rule, the Midi players awoke on Sunday morning to find rain, hail and storms in the Gers. Although a brief respite raised hopes that the match against Armagnac Bigorre could be played, the match was finally called off at 1.30pm. Points were shared, which left Midi at the dizzy heights of 3rd place in the League.

Toulouse visit on the 7th and 8th June, and Midi need to show a bit more backbone if they aren't going to be rolled over again.

Midi vs Armagnac Home May 4th 2008

Midi Open Their 2008 Account With A Win !

Armagnac: 121 all out (39.4 overs) Midi: 122-4 (27.3 overs)

Midi put ABCC in on a warm afternoon, but struggled to take early wickets. ABCC scored slowly though, and with the introduction of Paul Roger's nagging medium pacers and David Cole's left-arm finger spin, Armagnac were quickly reduced to 67-6. The Armagnac tail wagged though, and they managed to get to 121 by the time they were all out, with Ken Miller doing his average no harm taking two wickets for one run. Midi were excellent in the field, especially for the first 30 overs, but the fielding became a little scrappy towards the end, due no doubt to the heat and this being the first game of the season.

Midi were confident that they could overhaul Armagnac's total, but their reply began horrendously. The top three batsmen made one run apiece, and when Tim Gupwell joined skipper Dominic George at the crease, the score was 6-3. They knuckled down and stabilised the innings. As Armagnac's opening bowlers tired, and the first change bowlers came on, the runs started to flow. Tim played some cultured shots and a few lusty blows, whilst Dominic was content to play a supporting rôle. Tim was eventually out for an excellent 51, but it was too late for Armagnac, and Midi won with over 12 over remaining.

Overall, an excellent win for Midi, but there is plenty to work on before we face some of the stronger teams in our group.

Midi won toss and fielded

Armagnac: 121 all out (39.4 overs)

P. Rogers 3-20
D. Cole 2-11
K. Miller 2-1