This was Toulouse CCs first game together and they won the toss and elected to bowl on a wicket that was green, with the conditions overcast. The outfield was hairy. The Toulouse bowling was impressive and for the most part very accurate as the Noé openers Pete and Clive set about building up a solid base. Pete played a superb cut shot for four before trying to repeat his shot the next ball and was caught in the outfield. A shame since he had done all the hard work. Gil was no.3 and played a very solid innings before an absolute ‘jaffa’ from Fermanel dismissed him in the 15th over.
Peter Teague joined him and played a swashbuckling innings before a mix-up between himself and Clive meant that Clive was run out. David Hill joined him at the crease before Peter was caught. David was playing solidly before his eyes lit up to a short ball which he mistimed and was caught at mid-wicket. David Lappin then joined Paddy with the score on 60-6 having been 55-3 moments earlier. Paddy was then out caught behind. David played a superb innings finishing on 44 as well as almost hitting a straight six through the rugby posts (which would have counted as 10!). Yoji then played a perfect supporting role to David. After David went, against bowled by Fermanel, it is important to note that ‘Bob’ (Jack’s new bat) scored its first 2 runs of the season! On the very last ball of the game Yoji was out caught. In the end the score was 114 AO, kept down by some accurate Toulousian bowling.

Pete Curzons and Clive opened the bowling for Noé. Toulouse completely confused us here. They were very clever. They lulled us into a false sense of security by losing 4 wickets by the time the score was on 7 runs and 7 wickets by the time it was on 27 runs. It would not be possible to lose from here would it? Brookes, the no.3 batsman did not give up hope and proceeded to play just the innings his team needed. He was joined by Hughes who hit a superb 34 before he was caught by  Paddy off a slower ball from David Lappin. With the score on 100-8, Clive then removed Brookes plumb l.b.w for 43. Over after over passed now and the score slowly crept towards the 114 mark. Both Pete Curzons and Clive had finished their spells (figures below) and it was up to Paddy and Yoji to take the last wicket. Three overs and many played and misses and agonizing catches falling short later, a drive to mid-on and Toulouse had won, 115-9! A pretty amazing effort of will-power, where a lot of other teams might just have given up hope.

We’d like to thank Toulouse for the game and look forward to playing them later on in the season.

Big thanks to Sonia for the Match scorecard below (Fall of wickets listed as overs not runs).

CC Noé-Gascogne Batting

Fall of wickets            9, 15, 16, 20, 22, 23, 29, 39, 40, 40

Bowling

Nash 5-1-14-1, Blackham 6-3-11-2, Cross 6-0-16-1, Brookes 6-1-13-0, Fermanel 6-1-10-4, Rice 5-0-14-0, Burridge 1-0-5-0, Gordon 1-0-10-0, Knee 2-0-5-1, Ramsey 2-0-15-0

CC Toulouse Batting

Fall of wickets            1, 2, 3, 3, 6, 10, 10, 21, 24

Bowling

Curzons 8-0-19-3, Beadman 8-1-20-3, Ussher 6-0-28-0, Cox 2-0-11-2, Teague 1-0-10-0, Hill 2-0-10-0, Lappin 2-0-10-1, Kemlo 1-0-2-0

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