Archive - 2020
Sad Passing of Team Mate Rupert Bairamian
The Moose Cricket Club are sad to report the passing of our dear friend and member Rupert Bairamian. Rupert was a sought after member of many clubs, most notably his beloved Bluemantle's, but he was a massive supporter of The Moose, and a keen tourist, accompanying us on memorable trips to Portugal, Majorca and Jersey. Not only was Rupert a skilful and obdurate batsman, he was a surprisingly capable fielder, and later in his life cut a fine figure in the slips, rarely putting anything down, reminiscent of Colin Cowdrey (at least from a distance).
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As a team mate he livened up any conversation, with a turn of phrase worthy of PG Wodehouse, and a vast array of anecdotes which were so good they were seldom restricted to one outing. Was there ever a more cheering sound on arrival at a match than to hear Rupert’s infectious laughter rolling around the ground? Already the day had been improved, the match not even begun. His easy manner belied a sharp brain, and many opponents underestimated him both conversationally and tactically. Just because he made everything seem like fun, did not mean he was not trying his hardest to win. He will be missed by so many all over the world, friends, team mates, former colleagues in the wine trade, and especially family, to whom we send our deepest condolences.
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R.W.S.
Ed Atkinson, Rupert Bairamian & Nick Ogden at Bowerswaine
Chelsea Arts Club vs. The Moose, Stonor Park, Sunday 13th September 2020
The Moose won by 154 runs with notable performances from:
Alex McDonald 106*
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James Howie 88
Tom Ogden 5 for 33
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Alex McDonald 3 for 7
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Chelsea Arts Club vs. The Moose at Stonor Park in Oxfordshire
The Moose vs The Griffin at Fletching, Sunday 23rd August 2020
Moose XI vs The Griffin at Fletching
The Moose were unusually punctual, gathering at the Sussex Savannah for the second game post COVID-19.
Notable pre-match highlights include the team fish and chips, Pat Kearney's dog, Drew Howie's new blazer and the Chairman drinking a pint of lager for the first time since 1981.
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While some of the more experienced Moose had a leisurely lunch with several bottles of rouge, skipper for the day Stuart Morten opted to bowl.
Tom Ogden and Jack Lambert opened up supported by Nick Dempsey's orgasmic screams of encouragement behind the stumps. A second slip was quickly put in place, which was promptly rewarded with Patrick Kearney taking a superb grab with his tiny hands off Lambert.
Nick Dempsey then followed up shelling a catch down the leg side by immediately throwing down the stumps with the batsman well out his ground, to another orgasmic scream of satisfaction.
Despite some tight bowling from debutant James Hills, the Griffin middle order settled in, taking Pat Kearneys leg spin to unlock some wickets. Bowling his customary half tracker, James Howie took the catch from the mistimed shot at cow corner. Kearney was the pick of the bowlers (2-31) despite sanitation breaks inhibiting his ability to grip the ball.
A couple of further wickets fell towards the death with the Griffin setting 205 to win off 35 overs.
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What can only be due to the quick turn around and lack of tea as a result of COVID restrictions both Munro, Morten, Thomson (who had seemingly still not been to the barbers since March) and Pask fell in quick succession just as the elder Moose arrived post lunch. Alex Macdonald (34) and James Howie (36) offered some resistance, the latter mildly impressing his girlfriend, however both fell to balls that stuck in the pitch and popped up. The Moose stumbled to 98, leaving the Griff to win the trophy for the first time in years.
James and Tom discussing the outcome with David Pullan
Bluemantle's CC vs Moose CC, Friday 7th August 2020
Moose CC 247-7, Hinchliffe 98, Pullen 97
Bluemantle's CC 248-6, Howie 2-39
Bluemantle's CC won by 4 wickets
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Bluemantle’s vs Moose, post COVID lockdown
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The cricketing curtain was raised for Moosey in early August after the extended interval of the COVID-19 pandemic with the renowned Bluemantle's fixture providing a mouth-watering prospect. Although the soaring temperatures that day meant that no such mouth-watering
could really occur, the contest was a sizzling one.
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Numerous virus mitigation protocols were in place as Moosey descended on Tunbridge Wells, including the closure of the famous Pavilion, with ‘BDM’ Morten visibly upset at being unable to shower with the team post-game. The week had proven a run fest in the run up to its climax with the Chairman heaping pressure on his troops, demanding a score of at least 300.
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With Moosey batting first, they could not have gotten off to a worse start. Bailey was removed aiming a drive at a decent delivery in the first over and Morten thumbed one through to the keeper in the second. Toby Pullen was a welcome sight at number 3 and oversaw a period of rebuilding with Hinchliffe. As the ball aged and Moosey identified the flat pitch and rapid outfield, the rebuilding gathered a head of steam and the runs started to flow. Conditions were torrid for bowlers and fielders and the batsmen took advantage. Both passed 50 with Pullen showing utter disdain for the bad ball. He eventually departed thanks to a fantastic catch running in from the boundary and Hinchliffe followed shortly after to the deadly thigh-high full toss, both falling just short of their centuries. McNaught continued the good work with a smart cameo towards the end and Howie lived up to expectations by flogging some tired bowlers for a couple of boundaries to finish with a vain red-inker. Moosey finished shy of the Chairman’s target but were pleased to have posted a competitive target.
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The Bluemantle's started well as Ollie Daniels and McGahan found their radar. Once they hit their stride though, they posed a threat and Daniels removed the Bluemantles’ McFly member early on. The game moved very nicely with Moose taking regular wickets but the Bluemantle's keeping up with the required rate for the most-part. Pullen, Howie and Ogden chipped in and Moosey were applying pressure of their own with the oppo 6 wickets down and beginning to fall behind the run rate. As the contest headed for the crucial phase, Moosey standards dropped a tad but the game was also snatched by the Bluemantles’ number 6 batter who, after a slow start, put his foot down and seemed to dispatch everything at will for boundaries. No bowler was spared and he combined nicely with their number 8 who also took no prisoners. They raced to the total without even needing the couple of overs that the umpires attempted to shave off in what was an unprecedented controversy on the cricketing field. Pleasantries were cut short afterwards in the name of social distancing but there was time for the Chairman to receive a fitting tribute for his efforts during the week for the Bluemantle's.
Oxford brigade at the Nevill
The 2020 Season Finally Gets Underway
To avoid any disappointment please alert the match managers that you are available for selection.
Friday 7th August
vs
Bluemantle's at The Nevill, Tunbridge Wells (JH)
Sunday 23rd August
vs
The Griffin at Fletching (SM)
Sunday 13th September
vs
Chelsea Arts Club at Stonor Park (LM)