25th Anniversary Tour - Albir 2009..The Roving Reporter brings you all news and results..

Well its over - the Old Doms 25th Anniversary Tour has come to an end. This page is dedicated to bringing you the results and news of that marvellous week where the cream of the Doms fought out head to head with the Sporting Alfas teams. The Doms took flight out of Birmingham International on Monday 3rd August brimming with confidence that the team would do well in Spain and most of all enjoy celebrating a milestone in the Dom short history.

On the plane was John Anstey a founder member of the Old Doms CC, now twenty five years older, much wiser and with his hair donor programme doing well he must has felt  great pride in keeping the Doms going over all those years particularly as the Doms have gone from strength to strength under his Chairmanship although the ethos remains the same "Its a game of cricket no more no less. Lets enjoy the games lets enjoy the friendships"

The tour party was a mixture of youth and maturity and it was good to see so many of the ladies travelling to support the players which ensured a great blend chit chat, silliness and general light-hearted relaxation.

One player almost singularly handed had organised this trip with others chipping in. Praise upon praise should be heaped upon Pedro Hunt for the unstinting amount of time he has dedicated to this project without that dedication I'm sure the tour would have founded many months ago - well done that man.

To the matches; there were four matches organised, Sporting Alfas weekend team would be played twice, with games against their midweek team and an over 40's XI. All the games would be 40 overs a game played at the now renamed Woodbridge Oval in the most pleasant seaside town of Albir.

The lads rolled up on 4th for a nets session during the hottest part of the day. It was well attended although somehow Dave "Gazelle" Moore contacted alcohol poisoning and was stood down from the session. Arron Farthing somehow got lost going back to his rooms to get his whites and missed most of the session as did Terry who was tasked to look for him. It was a useful session which ensured that some players now looked near to understanding the skills of cricket!

 Match Day 1...... 

Well the Doms finally turned up in Albir a few days ago on their 25^th Anniversary Tour,  25 years of the Old Doms existence was something the celebrate so a four match tour based in the comely  Spanish resort of Albir, a venue that the Doms have visited three times previously.  The Doms tour success in Albir has been limited to just a couple of wins so the expectation of making it three wins today was going to be a tough call.

The Doms eleven was not the strongest of batting line ups that have graced the Doms shirt, perhaps only Sammy Moore, Stato, Philo and Dolly would be considered able to hit any sort of decent score, but the bowling strength was not to bad. The eleven contained Manoj who by some fluke passed Passport Control and Dolly on his first Spanish Dom expedition.

Pedro had been nominated as Tour Captain and managed to get the call right and put the Sporting Alfas mid week eleven into bat. It was a typical Spanish scorcher with the Celsius reading well over 30c – to those mamby pamby non touring Doms sat at home in dear Old Blighty  this was f8cking hot!

With his field placing set Pedro opened this 40 over match with Sammy Moore and himself. Well the Alfas batsmen soon launched into the “best” the Doms could muster in the bowling stakes, No balls and wides kept the scored board racing along at over 7 an over. Not a good start.

Pedro kept his head an took off to two miscreant bowlers and brought on young Alex Rich and Hunt C.  Pedro did save his bacon a tad with a wicket which was more down to Sammy’s catching skills than Pedro’s deft bowling, but they all count in the book! Alex and Hunt C both bowled good restrictive first spells backed up by some clean fielding. It was very hot and frequent stoppages for drinks was a pleasant interlude for the players.

Kman pulled off a cracking stop off a Rich ball but even better was to come in the next over when the same pair of Doms captured the second wicket. Kman held a scorcher with ease which was a lift for the whole team.

Dave Moore and Last replaced the flagging bowlers and continued to restrict the runs in their spells. Hunt C and Rich came back onto bowl and with Hunts last ball of his spell the dormant Stato held a good low catch whist hanging around in the slips gully type of area.

With Last and Pedro bowling out the final overs the Alfas team were search for runs and trying to push their teams total over the 200 mark. Last bowled a cunning ball to the advancing batsman who was beaten by the acute leg spin and the ball raced through to Manoj who whipped off the bails with ease, a good piece of keeping work to round off a solid performance behind the sticks.

Pedro picked up his second wicket when Sammy Moore running backward whilst undressing held onto a cracking catch.

It was a good all round performance in testing conditions and the Doms trooped off the wicket knowing that 200 to win was not as daunting a total as first thought after Pedro and Sammy Moore first spells of dross bowling.

Tea was taken – well ample gallons of water and a few burgers (the burgers being consumed by the crippled Chickin on behalf of the players)

The Doms opened with Dave Moore and Philo and controversy from the very first ball as Philo edged the ball to the keeper but stood bemused as Umpire Anstey was mucking around at the bowlers end with bails that the incoming bowler had knocked off in his delivery. Anstey looked up and the players and batsmen looked on for the decision…. “dead ball” was pronounced “ I wasn’t watching as I was picking up the bails” was Anstey’s considered stand point.

The Alfas team didn’t wait to long for their first legitimate wicket as Dave Moore clubbed a ball which was well caught at mid off. He trooped off with no runs to his name. Not a good start to the Doms run chase.

Things changed as soon as Sammy Moore came into partner Philo. Moore started to cream the blowing all around the park and raced to his 50 in just 30 odd balls. Philo took the support role but kept the runs flowing with some good strokes.

The 100 came up with Sam and Philo being untroubled in the 17^th over and a victory looked on the cards. The runs rate continued to leap around 6 or so an over but with score on 141 the partnership was broken with a well held boundary catch, Philo had gone for a well constructed 38.

Meanwhile Sammy Moore now well into a controlled batting fest passed his 100 mark and well deserved the standing ovation from the packed terraces. Dolly came and went and scored a few but this was his first knock for eight weeks after the “snipers” bullet incident. Stato, the Doms best batsman joined the drained Sammy and together knocked off the remaining runs needed to ease the Doms home with around eight overs to spare.

A very tired an emotional Sammy Moore was clapped off by both teams and adoring watchers for 112 not out. A great Old Doms knock that now sets the record tour highest score beating Statos one hundred odd against a poor Hastings team a few years ago.

A great start to the tour. Drinks, well gallons of beer and wine were consumed after the match as the Old Doms players glowed in their success. The team was well supported by the WAGs and excellent scorers Jemma and Chickin. The Essex boys kept the score board moving  without the aide of and calculators of pencils and papers. A great all round Doms day.

Roving Reporters STAR PLAYER - Sammy Moore for his 112 not out

Roving Reporters STINKER - Not Awarded

 Match Day 2...... 

“You have a plan a cunning plan eh Baldric? Tell me more”, “well Mr Blackadder the trick is to make them think we have plan when we don’t so in that way they will have to make a plan to counter our plan that we don’t have, that’s my plan, cunning eh?”

It followed that that Steve Morris and Philo took on young Baldric’s cunning plan into the game. Not to bright not very cunning…

The Doms strolled into the ground with the local police holding back the crowds at the entrance to the ground. Another very hot day at the Woodbridge Oval. The ground was filling up and clouds were gathering over the mountains overlooking Albir. The home side still smarting from the crushing Doms win in the first match and bolstered their side with some an pro and a new bowling line up.

The Doms only change was Doms debutant Aaron Farthing in for young Alex Rich who went lame with a stiff shoulder. To Alex’s credit he followed procedure and  sent in a sick note sign by his Mum but went one further, he got his Mum to personally hand deliver it. Top drawer.

Pedro won the toss and put the Sporting Alfas lads in. The Stranglers partnership was dusted off and opened the bowling, Last down hill and Pedro running up the rise. They lived up to their reputation and kept the openers in two minds how to play them. The occasional edged boundary and a dropped catch off Last as Pedro failed to hold on to a straight drive.

Colin Hunt and Philo took over to give the Stranglers a well earned rest with only 30 or so runs scored. Hunt made the first breakthrough trapping the opener in front of the sticks and the umpire’s finger went up.

Sammy Moore now bowling down the hill was getting clobbered but came up with a good ball that whipped a bail off. A great ball but to infrequent from this young gun.

Aaron had his first spell for the Doms and in his first over had the batsmen bemused by his spin and was unlucky not to get under a caught and bowled. A few overs later he nearly had his first Doms wicket when Dave Moore held the ball fleetingly before falling over much like a Giant Redwood and the ball touched the turf before he had it under control.

The Doms third wicket arrived when a quick piece of fielding by Stato saw the batsman well run out. A good effort well executed. As per normal there was an “injury” to a Hickin. This time Dolly went down clutching his ankle. Yep the curse of the sniper had struck, not a bullet this time but he used a blow pipe to penetrate Dolly's fair skin with some mosquito venom. A doctor was called onto the playing area and Dolly was off to “rest”. Stu Rich, the 12^th man  ably filled in.

And that was it as far as any further Doms success in the field. The home team ended on 267-3. A big total but something that the Doms have reached this season so Tour Captain Pedro was unperturbed, after all he had centurion Sammy Moore and the likes of Philo, Stato and Jenny Wren to ease past that total.

Tea was taken – to where the local police are still trying to find out.

The Doms openers, unchanged from the first match cracked on at a pace against the liveliest pace attack faced this season. Davy Moore soon got off a golden pair gloving through the slip cordon whilst Philo hid at the other end. Davy Moore was soon out though for one run caught in the slips.

In strode first match centurion ready to paste the bowling around again. He was soon walking back again caught off a top edge. The Alfas team had sorted him out with short balls ��� perhaps wearing a helmet would have given him more shot control but he will not listen.

Jenny Arron Wren was next in and with those girly streaked curly tresses peaking out beneath his helmet looked in great shape and started to take the match to the home side until he smacked an unnecessarily good shot to point and was well held. 3-23 and the Doms ship was listing.

Dolly came in and soon went being caught for the second match off a full toss. Distracted by his latest injury? Morris sauntered into the arena to join Philo who had been hiding from all the action. The Doms were well off the pace but hearts were lifted as the two batsmen joined in the middle to discuss the “plan” of how to win the match.

However what they dished up in terms of attacking the bowling was absolute dross – awful stuff to watch as the prodded and prodded and then even more prodding was produced. The art of cricket is to try and score more runs that the opposition. Did this concept ever permeate their minds after overs and overs of prodding. The answer is a resounding no.

They allowed some old bloke who was well over 70 years old who was dumped by Notts CC after a less than glorious 6 first class matches some years before Morris and Philo were born to hobble up to the crease and bemuse them. The old boy finished with 8 overs, 7 maidens 1 run (a scrambled Morris dash) and 1 wicket. Morris and Philo looked well pleased with their efforts as the old boy took a rest. Shameful and awful stuff produced by the Doms most predacious prodders.

Morris unleashed another prod and was caught for about 20 runs to the relief of the now dozing crowd. Manoj who has kept wicket marvellously over the two matches looked in great form and started to annoy the scorers by hitting some runs with gloriously correct shots. He was bowled for 15.

Kman came and went for a second ball duck. Shamefully unlucky with the umpires finger shooting into the air quicker than a ballistic missile. By this time the Philo time machine had got his personal score past 50 runs. 50 runs of pure agony for those watching. Colin Hunt went into support him for the last few overs with a plan and defended well. The fortieth over was bowled with no further wickets so Philo started the innings and ended the innings, 53 runs eked out over the innings was a great achievement  in true Tavere  style and temperament. Unflustered with no guilt he took the plaudits as he strolled back to the pavilion. This was Philo's first 50 on a tour, it was pure hell to watch!

It was a heavy defeat for the Doms but we move on to the next match on Wednesday were the Doms will look forward to a change of fortune and the hope that Morris and Philo catch some mysterious bug to rule them out of the next match selection.

The most notable high point was that this was Last 50th tour game for the Doms.

“Baldric that cunning plan of yours, bend over dear boy I want to place it where cunning plans are filed for further reference”……… 

Roving Reporters STAR PLAYER - Manoj for his excellent keeping and solid runs.

Roving Reporters STINKER - Philo and Stato for an inglorious amount of dot balls.

 Match Day 3...... 

The heavens opened during the night and left a few puddles on the outfield and the game was called off at 11am unfortunately no one got the message to the Doms team hotel so a much surprised and disappointed Doms squad was left to have a knoch about match with some straggling local players.

 Match Day 4......  

This was the Doms final match of the tour, Jonners was given the mantel of Captaincy for the day; some would say he couldn’t captain a boat in a bath but others disagree!! His first tricky job was to arrange that the match should be played under “village rules”. He did this with aplomb and the home skipper was drawn into Jonners cunning “plan”.

Last was sidelined with a “knee” which gave Spencer Dawes his Doms debut. The home team battered first with the Hunts opening the Doms bowling. The home side openers thrashed the ball around and the run rate started to soar as the ball clattered into the boundary ropes far to often.

There were a few catches dropped but by the home teams Aussie opener was undone by a great ball delivered by the much improving Alex Rich. The second wicket was a good catch off a dibbly dobbly Morris bowling down the hill. Wickets tumbled as the runs were accumulating but the home team were rocking when on 129 for 7, the Doms looked like they had turned the match around and would be chasing a gettable target but the last few home batsmen dug in and ripped into the tiring bowling.

Jonners shared the bowling around and only Stu Rich was not called on to turn his arm over. A most amusing moment occurred when Morris a bowled a ball which was hit and ran out to Stu Rich who whizzed the ball into keeper Wright (who was having a nightmare day behind the sticks) missed the ball and the ball raced along the ground where young Alex bemused by his dads throw and Wrights fumble eventually left the ball to Pedro running in from the boundary who safely lobbed the ball into Wrights gloves. Morris who rarely looses it did on this occasion “How the F8ck can we turn a ten yard one into a ten yard three” (these may not be the exact words uttered by Stato but the reader gets the feel of his disappointment)

The home team ended their innings on 231-9, a ragged Doms team performance, lots of dropped chances, mediocre keeping and silly fielding. On the plus side they kept going in demanding heat and the bowling of Alex Rich was encouraging as was three juggling catches by Pedro.

The Doms had 45 mins before the final 20 overs were to be bowled got off to a poor start, the reliable Philo was caught in the slips for 1, an abysmal performance by Mr Dot Ball. Dave Wright’s abysmal match performance was complete when he played down the wrong line and was bowled for 3.

The Doms were struggling at 2-6. New boy, Dawes came in and blasted a six that made any six hit by Sammy Moore look ordinary! But the moment got to him and he was soon caught. Dolly soon followed looping the ball into the air with the score only on 4-28, things were looking bad.

At this point in time Jonners was expecting young Alex Rich to walk out to the crease to support Morris but unfortunately he couldn’t be found as he had gone back to his apartment for a shower and lie down - this incident has a Charlie Lyons feel to it!!

So in the absence on young Alex Rich Pedro moved up the order and strode out to join a bemused Morris. It was not looking good for a Doms win. Anchors were thrown out but it would be a long and tortuous journey for Stato and Pedro as the home team scented victory. The last twenty overs started and the fast bowlers were getting faster and faster and the heat on the Doms intrepid two was getting hotter and hotter.

Both Stato and Pedro stayed firm and blocked most balls but where they could they took runs, eventually Stato passed his 50 as the overs ticked away. With only two overs left and the home team running out of ideas Stato played the most outrages awful shot. He wafted his bat at a ball going nowhere other than the keepers gloves. Somehow he got an edge that whizzed into the first slips hands. A disgraceful way to get out which put the team’s plight in jeopardy. Shameful exhibition of selfishness. This was however a record tour 5th wicket partnership of 74 runs.

Kman came into to support Pedro for the final balls of the game and played their quickie with ease.

The Doms had secured a draw. The home team played for safety in taking their time getting 231 leaving the Doms little chance of a run chance after the early wickets. A  miscalculation!

So the Doms tour is over with a win, draw and defeat made this our most successful Spain tour. The Doms also won an unofficial Twenty20 which was the icing on the tour cake.

The Doms now head home for their next match against Old Mosley Arms on Sunday.

Roving Reporters STAR PLAYER - Pedro Hunt for three overly extravagant catches and a glorious defensive 16 runs

Roving Reporters STINKER - toss up between Ikea for services to wicket keeping and Stato for that shot..

 Tour Player Stats 

 Roving Reporter Player Tour Ratings

To follow....

The Roving Reporter ratings are here! the ratings are purely subjective and some may say fantasy but none the less the tourist will be keen to end the tour with a good Roving Reporter Rating. So here goes. Each player is rated over four subject areas which include on and off field contributions. The score is out of five. If you have not been used in any of the four sporting sections you score 5 points. Wicket keeping is included in the Fielding section.

In no particular order: 

S Dawes

Only played one match as late replacement for the injured Last. Looked useful but may struggle to get a regular place in the team.

Batting: ££

Bowling: ££

Fielding: ££

Off field: £

 Total:  7 

S Morris

A tidy tour although "spoilt" by tardy batting in the second game and shameful shot in the third match. His bowling looked good although he only picked up 3 "rabbits". Disgraceful tantrum over a minor fielding error off his bowling cost points. His fielding generally ok with no silly nutmegs this year. Off the field exploits limited as he choose to stay at some cheap accommodation.

Batting: ££

Bowling: ££££

Fielding: ££££

Off field: £££

 Total: 13 

 K Ladha

A steady tour and did not let the team down at all. Batting tormented by the umpires finger although he had good rear guard action over in the final game. Bowling ok and excelled at point where not much went past him he also took a great catch. Off the field he looked after Lorraine to a high standard.

Batting: £

Bowling: £��

Fielding: £££££

Off field: ££££

 Total: 12

A Rich

His cricket is maturing and was one of the most effective bowlers. A mystery still surrounds the "shower" incident. Not required to bat so gets the maximum points. He would have score the maximum in the off field section but Fiona failed to punch Jonners on the nose.

Batting: ��££££

Bowling: ££££

Fielding: £����

Off field: ££

 Total: 13

M Hunt

Good tour for Pedro who had the burden of organising the thing as well as being Captain for two matches. His batting performance in the final match was top draw. Struggled a bit bowling on the carpet but did pick up a couple of wickets. As usual his fielding was energetic and he took some good catches to make up for the dolly he dropped in the first match. He must cut out the juggling. Off the field he was not up to previous form and lost a point accordingly.

Batting: £££

Bowling: £££

Fielding: ££££

Off field: ££££

 Total: 14

C Hunt

A satisfactory tour for Colin, failed with the bat, needs more time at the crease to gain the confidence needed. Bowled more overs than anyone on the tour (Pedro's dad?) and did a good job picking up two wickets. His fielding was ok with no major issues. Off the field he did well to keep up with Jan but failed to control Alice's smoking!

Batting: £

Bowling: ££££

Fielding: £££

Off field: £££

 Total: 11

A Last

Mature tourist who went lame for the final match which weakened the team. Scored a max for batting not required to bring his bat. He says the gloves and pads will stay home next time. Bowled ok at the top order batsmen but never got the chance to have a go at the rabbits that Stato was knocking over. No errors in the field. A very mature off field performance, no late nights or over indulgences given his problematic room mates.

Batting: £££££

Bowling: £££

Fielding: £££

Off field: ££££

 Total: 15

S Moore

An enigma, goes out and thrashes the bowling around the park for a brilliant 112 then lets some mamby pamby bowler psyche him out for naught - awful. But hey he's only a young lad and will learn from rubbing shoulders with the "senior" players. A good all around performance from Sammy.

Batting: ££££

Bowling: ££

Fielding: ££££

Off field: £££

 Total: 13

P Walshe

He must be still dreaming of all those dot balls, we are and we wish someone would wake us up from the Philo dot ball nightmare! A sound batting performance non the less. Got to bowl but was unrewarded on a flat wicket. Fielding unremarkable. Off field kept up with heavy weights Jonners and Pedro and didn't pester Lasty with any meaningless bedtime chat.

Batting: ££££

Bowling: ££

Fielding: £££

Off field: ££££

 Total: 13

D Moore

The big gazelle suffered alcohol poisoning on his first night and missed the first net session. Opened the batting but the pinch hitter had no luck and very few runs. Bowling tidy but unrewarded but peaked in the field with a remarkable drop never to be missed - a classic.

Batting: £

Bowling: £££

Fielding: ££££

Off field: £££

 Total: 11

T Hickin

In true Hickin tradition Dolly was the only player to go off for treatment in all the matches he played. Being bitten by a mosquito was a classic Chickin would have been proud of. His batting was rubbish but he bowled a good spell. His fielding was as always on the ball. Off the field he was a bit light weight but his score was bolstered by having Fiona with him.

Batting: £

Bowling: ££

Fielding: ££££

Off field: £££££

 Total: 12

A Farthing

Curley Essex boy who made his Doms debut in the second match. Looked good with the bat until well held off a cracking shot. Great first over bowling but then trailed off. Energetic in the field - lets hope this is not a trend that the Doms will take on. Off field bathroom "incident" improved his points tally but not Terry and Martins need for the loo!!

Batting: £££

Bowling: ££

Fielding: £££

Off field: £££

 Total: 11

J Anstey Snr

25 years of the Old Doms is showing but he soldiers on! Not required to bat so he gets a max five points and only required to bowl one over and no flops whilst fielding. Played only one match which he captained to a successful draw. Off field antics still up to par but lost a point by not getting Fiona to punch him on the nose, shame...

Batting: £££££

Bowling: £££

Fielding: £££

Off field: ££££

 Total: 15

M Sukumaran

Hooray, Manoj finally sorted himself out and got on tour with the gang. Played two matches and kept wicket with grace and ease with only one bye passing him and a great stumping. Batting was ok and accumulated 15 runs. Off field kept in touch with the lads even though Devang kept him busy. Good sound tour.

Batting: £££

Bowling: £££££

Fielding: ££££

Off field: £££

 Total: 15

S Rich

A seasoned tourist who only managed to get one game it but produced the tours most magic moment when his ten yard throw to the keeper turned a dot ball into a three - all the players enjoyed this passage of play except Stato who lost the plot and swore. Brilliant tour moment. Not required to bat or bowl so max scored. Off field marred by Fiona's reluctance to give Jonners a Glasgow kiss.

Batting: £££££

Bowling: £££££

Fielding: £££

Off field: ££

 Total: 15

D Wright

IKEA drove away from the match despondent as this was a match to forget. Rubbish shot whilst batting and Sharan would have performed better behind the stumps. Off field limited to a few beers and points awarded for travelling a distance to the matches.

Batting: ££

Bowling: £££££

Fielding: ££

Off field: £££

 Total: 12

Scorers Award:

Chickin - 7 points

Jemma - 10 points

Jemma won the race for the Scorers award because she has to care for Chickin and she's much better looking than he is!