Aston Uni Home - 11/5/2011 - BCU WON
On what was a difficult track early on, BCU won the toss and elected to bat. However this judgement was under scrutiny after the early exchanges, Mandleberg fell within the opening over nicking behind. The pitch continued to provide some ‘interesting bounce’, and the top order continued the trend of loosing early wickets, both Mehmood and Awan falling cheaply. The Aston players were buzzing and wouldn’t shut up in the field. However a few quick lusty blows from Harrison saw BCU restore some sort of tally. Harrison was briefly supported by Howley........Champman however then resorted order, playing some finally placed shots all around the ground, the lad was as ruthless as Hitler! Tearing apart the Aston bowling attack on his way to a Valliant 82. Chapman was joined by the team smeg specialist Jordon Lambert, the lad had a point to prove, and by my golly ‘wog’ gosh he did. Both Lambert and Chapman played outrageous strokes, using their blades more than a skater boy in the 90’s. Chapman then fell and team ‘rat’ Sam Buck joined Lambert at the crease, a partnership that both had wanted to happen for years. The boys continued the onslaught both hitting mammoth 6’s. With some scurrying between the wickets Buck and Lambert put on some valuable late run’s, however Buck was to be outshined late on by the nurdling Stancliffe, working his way to a vital 17*. The tail wagged again with runs for both Nicholds and team-heart throb Webb. BCU battled away and make a promising 265-9. BCU showing real depth.
Aston went out to bat and BCU were in full voice. Aston opening pair played their strokes early on, and managed to get away with a lot of loose shots. However without taking any early wickets Aston started well, until Nicholds came on taking the wicket of Rana for 15 and in his next over dismissed Pritpal for 3. The first change pair of Buck and Nicholds proved to do the job, as Buck then took the wicket of Sheep for 20, caught in the deep after the batsman decided to take the fight to the bowlers, however the team was not being ruthless enough. In a strange move captain Awan brought on Mandleberg to bowl, Mandleberg however managed to claim a wicket due to a fantastic catch by Lambert, but the two overs of Mandleberg did take some punishment. The opening batsman of Samra continued at the other end for aston, playing some lusty shots on his way to 115, supported by Bassi who hit 40. BCU were quiet, down and out and the first loss of the season looked imminent.
With the end in sight for Aston the opener batsman Samra lost his head and got ran out! And in true cricketing style 1 wicket brings two, Bassi was caught and all of a sudden it was game on! Lambert and Awan both came back on, steaming in BCU were looking sharp, and pumped for the win. Then again another run out. BCU couldn’t believe the situation they found themselves in, momentum was with the boys and with few overs left Lambert cleaned up the tail with some fantastic bowling. There was ecstatic scene’s and the end of the game. Every player played there part and the Lads were going wild! BCU had somehow dismissed Aston for 241. If it was to be BCU’s season these are the games they would have to win.
Shower rating – 1/5 – No hot water, terrible
Nottingham Uni Away – 6/5/2011 – BCU WON
Team : Mandleberg , Waz , Awan(cpt) , Harrison, Lambert, Razz, Howley(wk), Buck, Stancliffe, Nicholds, Zeus
The BCU boys left bright and early in eager anticipation for a vital match that could ‘make’ or ‘break’ the season. Losing the toss BCU were put into the bat on what can only be described as an un-even track. However the boys were suitably prepared and confident for this challenge, showing their passion and desire whilst performing the viper during the warm up. The opening pair of Waz and Ricardo Rodriquez look-a-like Mandleberg went off at a great pace again, forcing early pressure upon the fielding team. However the classy Waz got caught on what was proving to be a difficult wicket, top edging a pull shot up in the air. Captain Awan joined Mandleberg at the crease, both playing sublime, robust shots all around the ground. Mandleberg finally proved his batting worth in the team, easing to a good-looking 88 before eventually holding out in the deep. This knock proved to be vital. Awan continued at the crease, following the suit of Mandleberg also hitting 88 before snicking off behind. However a promising middle order failed to impress again, Lambert, Howley, Razz and Buck all falling cheaply. The runs continued to flow though and BCU were making batting look easy on a difficult pitch. A statement enforced by the late onslaught from the tale ender’s both Stancliffe and Webb going wild with the bat. At tea BCU were 303-9. A daunting score, Notts head’s were down.
BCU went into the field full of chat, promise and a strong drive to succeed. Tight early bowling from Awan and Lambert further put Nott’s on the back foot. A sublime opening spell from Lambert ,claiming two wickets, one of which was the scalp of the Nott’s opening bat ,with an in swinging Yorker, squaring the batsman up for and LBW dismissal. The promising youngster Nicholds came on first change, Nicholds continued his fine form from the Lincoln game, bowling superbly in his early overs, beating the edge several times. However the youngster needs to reconsider his diet if he is to improve his stamina with the ball, although in a rare incident the boy did go out and get beered with the lads for once ...good egg?
The return of social secretary Buck proved to be a good inclusion, bowling tight lines moving the ball in and out. Taking 3 wickets and missing the bat several times, including having 2 ‘drops’ off his bowling...a possible 5 Wickets?? Wazim then replaced Nicholds and bowled a fantastic spell, spinning the ball more than an Arabian bush-pig in a tornado. Finally, claiming his first and second wickets for the club, resulting in some body popping and rapturous chanting from the player’s personal fan club. The newly engaged Razz came on and replaced Buck, proving he has the ‘golden arm again’ claiming 2 wickets, one of which came in his first over. The game was marred by the unsporting behaviour by a middle order Nott’s batsman however; Snicking behind off Razz’s bowling and refusing to walk. However Karma struck and the disgraced batsman got out next ball playing a disgusting looking drive, resulting in his off stump taking more of a pounding than the oceana regulars. Stancliffe came on for his maiden spell for BCU, the lad didn’t have the best of times, but he has the backing from his team, he just needs to back himself as he has the jaguar’s (SKILLS). With the game wrapped up BCU gave team heart-throb Karsten Webb his first over for the club, resulting in a first ball bouncer that would crack skulls and bang chicks.
Notts reached 200(ish) off their 50 overs. The BCU Boys showed their team of the year credentials and displayed a fantastic team spirit. Every player is showing a willingness to put the team ahead of themselves and the pride and passion to win the league is obvious. All players are showing their ability and every player is performing a vital role.BCU have put themselves in a great position for their game against Aston on Wednesday. The boys will hope to continue their good form, and there is a real belief this is ‘Our Season’. Fate’s in our own Hands.
Shower Rating – 4.5/5 . Fantastic showers, 8 players all in at once, singing and dancing. Good water temperatures and lots of fun and game. With urine, smeg and sweat everywhere. However Dayle Stancliffe didn’t join and reveal his famous ‘Length’. Tom Mandleberg provided this week’s shower gel.
Tea Rating: 1.5/5 ............. Would rather eat Jordon’s smeg
27/04/2011 Uni of Lincoln - Home (W)
After a long winter, the BCU Mens Cricket Team could not wait to get the league under way. The first game was against Uni of Lincoln who were relegated the year before, therefore both teams did not know what they were up against.
BCU started their season with the bat after Skipper Abdullah Awan won the Toss, and BCU got off to a blistering start and were on 48-0 off 8 overs, with a new opening pair of Tom Mandleberg and Wasim Mehmood. After passing their 50 run partnership Tom was dismissed for 18, Skipper Awan and Mehmood put on a partnership of 49 before Awan was trapped in front for 20. Whilst at the other end Wasim Mehmood who was on Debut made the perfect start and reached his maiden 50 off 52 balls. He was eventually caught behind for a very solid 75, the perfect start for his BCU Season. BCU found themselves on 155 for 4 off just 25 overs. But then a mid order collapse found them all for 202 in the 39th over.
Looking at the pitch, Awan was confident of his sides chances and after a great piece of fielding by George Harrison producing a run out off the 1st ball of the 2nd over the BCU Team Spirit was even higher. And then 2 wickets in the same over for the Skipper helped BCU stay on top. However the opposing Skipper Rush (68) had different ideas but another Debutant Chris Nicholds showed his Tekkers with remarkable figures of 10-2-27-3 taking Rush with him. From the other end Mehmood was having a brilliant day as he ended with figures of 10-3-26-0. With Uni of Lincoln getting the odd boundary and rotating the strike the match was heading towards a tense finish and it got one. In the 39th over Mohammed Usman came onto ball with only 50 runs to defend. Awan brought himself on from the other end to turn the screw and finished his spell with figures of 10-2-28-2, but with the batsmen sticking in there the match was wide open. That was until Mohammed Usman started his engine and went through the tail without any problems leaving Uni of Lincoln 178 all out.
Great start to the season by BCU and they will be hoping to do even better against Nottingham University next week.
Highlights:
Wasim Mehmood 75 & 10-3-26-0, Chris Nicholds 10-2-27-3, Mohammed Usman 5-0-21-3, Abdullah Awan 10-2-28-2.
