28 July
Nearly a Ruislip-up (You've done this - Ed.) as Isambard scrape through
High drama in the north-west London suburbs yesterday evening as Isambard almost threw away a thrilling match at Ruislip. But the last pair held firm to post a one-wicket win. There's a match report here.
Sawbridgeworth revisited
Remember Sawbridgeworth? Well, Dave Bywater has written a report about Isambard's day out there. The report is here, and there are some nice pictures on Isambard's Flickr page as well.
26 July
'Bard hope not to Ruislip up
Following the cancellation of the match against Botany Bay's Development XI - and consequent inability of Roxy Bywater to post a century against the bowling of twelve-year-olds - we have arranged a Conference game at Ruislip tomorrow. But we only have nine players at the time of writing! Anyone who fancies a hit should contact Dave Bywater soonest. Ability optional, although a wicketkeeper would be good....
Vandals obliterated thanks to Johnston ton
A fine 114 from Steve Johnston, deserving his place up the order, was the centrepiece of a big Isambard win in their home fixture with Weybridge Vandals on 20 July. He was ably supported by Ray Collins (44), Simon Codling (39 not out) and Sunny Munn (36) as Isambard posted 285-8 from their forty overs. The visitors had no answer to the on-form Mat Lindsay (4-13) and a career-best 2-4 from Collins as they slumped to 99 all out. Match report to follow - when we find an author…
Mixed results in double-header
Isambard's alleged second string came good in their Conference fixture with Redhill and Old Coulsdon on 13 July. A brilliant 105 from debutant Andrew Wembridge and 36 from brother Mark helped Isambard make a great start, while a quickfire 35 not out from Mat Lindsay took them to 225-8 declared. In reply, the hosts stumbled to 90 all out, with Mat Lindsay, Richie Robinson and the returning Scotty O'Brien getting among the wickets.
Unfortunately, the 1st XI were not so successful at Sawbridgeworth. Their efforts were not helped by two players not turning up after a night on the lash: take a bow, Xav Davis and Pete Brannan. Isambard posted 225 all out thanks to a big opening partnership from Dave Bywater (79) and Richie Gardiner (64). But they struggled with nine men and a fast outfield, despite debutant Lachlan Gray and Dave Treloar bagging a brace apiece. The four-wicket win for the hosts was probably slightly flattering for Isambard.
Media? Munn's your man!
Interesting to note, whilst idly Googling the other day, that our skipper seems to have an increasingly media-friendly profile. The Australian Daily Telegraph had a piece about his career in drugs, complete with photo, whilst there's another picture of the man in an article on www.news.com.au about Aussie tourists being nice but badly dressed. Both portraits feature the Munn in a yellow t-shirt - shame it wasn't the Mugabe one from earlier this season.
10 July
Two fixtures this Sunday!
Demand for some cricket after last week's debacle (see below) has resulted in Isambard arranging two plum fixtures this Sunday - at Sawbridgeworth and Redhill & Old Coulsdon. Alas, Roxy Bywater's job of carving up 22 players between these has not been made easier by the decision of our esteemed skipper to feck off to Serbia for the weekend at the drop of a hat, taking two team-mates with him. Thus we are three players short for Sunday; time to step up to the plate, boys. Contact Roxy and make his day if you fancy a hit.
Premature rejection in Sunday's rain, but Sunny later
Frustration in last Sunday's fixture against Enfield Invicta, as two teams stood watching steady rain fall on a perfectly playable wicket. At 2.10pm, both skippers agreed it was a washout, and we went home. Alas, this might have been a little premature, as the sun came out after that. Would we have played? I think we would, although I don't think it would have been without further interruption.
The Isambard teams for cultural historians: Richie Gardiner (wk), Richie Robinson, Sunny Munn (c), Sunny's mate Simmo, Dave Malin, Paul Danbury, Adam Malin, Mat Lindsay, Gavin Kallmann, Paul McConville, Keith Williams.
Southgate report posted
Ah yes - the Southgate report is now posted in the usual place. But who wrote it?
25 June
Lindsay on fire as Isambard return to winning ways
An emphatic win on Sunday against Southgate twos at the Walker Ground as Isambard turned their reecent excellent team spirit into victory. Hero of the day was Mat Lindsay, whose performance can be summarised thus:
1. Turn up an hour late.
2. Come straight on to bowl.
3. Take 5-16, including a hat-trick.
4. Retire to bar.
This was the first hat-trick in Isambard's history, in the club's 136th match.
Isambard made short work of a target of 113, with Xav Davis scoring an unbeaten 53. No match report yet, but we await Collo's missive with anticipation.
Where's the website?
We are currently having some 'issues' with our webhost at present. Webmaster Keefy is currently having our future options explained to him in non-tecchie words of one syllable, but we may well transfer our entire site elsewhere, with a new look and a new domain name. We will keep you informed of developments, but please accept our apologies if the site goes down in the interim.
19 June
Merde, il pleut...
A potentially interesting match at beautiful East Meon last Sunday was abandoned at tea due to heavy rain. Nevertheless, everyone enjoyed themselves, with excellent team spirit and a couple of good innings seeing Isambard to 186-8 when the heavens opened. Keith has written a match report, in the usual place...
Southgate on Sunday
It's Isambard's annual trip to a first-class ground on Sunday, as we play Southgate at the Walker Ground. Roxy Bywater is now back in the selectorial hot seat; please contact him if you would like a hit.
5 June
Isambard fall just short at United
A great match at Wimbledon United on Sunday resulted in an agonising three-run defeat for Isambard. Keith Williams has produced a match report, which can be linked to here.
Gavin Kallmann's report from Oxted & Limpsfield has also now been posted; you can read it here.
