MATCH REPORTS FOR 2009

vs Eastcote CC at Eastcote, North London on 12th September

Freddie Coupe was moving house to Wiltshire when he should have been organising this match and of course when he got round to it, he had no players' contact details. He scrambled together some Queries who were prepared to travel to North London plus some mates from Eastcote (which is his old Club) and other friends from London. Despite one player failing to show on the day, this motley crew set about playing some good cricket and enjoying their day. It was a 40 over match and the Queries batted first opening with David Haywood and local club coach Will Bramble. The track was like a road and the outfield fast, and the runs soon began to accumulate and the Queries were in the 80s when the first wicket fell to a sky-er and Will was out for 44.  David went on to make 49 and was then out in a bizarre fashion as the ball came off the bottom of his bat, ricocheted off the keepers thigh and fell into the hands of a diving slip. Another guest Paul Nangle then put on another 52 before getting bowled: Simon Campbell hit a quick 42 before he was caught: Freddie Coupe managed only 5 before he top-edged it high into the air to be caught. At 5 down the score was 238 and Freddie was confident that his target of 260 could be achieved but then, as James Hopton kept one end going, the last 3 batsmen manged 3 runs between them and we finished the 40 overs on exactly 250.

After an excellent tea provided by Nicola Coupe, Freddie opened with Simon Campbell and James Hopton. In his second over James clean-bowled their skipper and they were 1 for 12. However Simon was not having his best day, and there was a competent batsman to bowl to, and he went for 32 runs in 4 overs. A guest bowler Mick Byrne bowling leg breaks then regained some control but it took James Hopton to return for a second spell to have the dominating batsman caught behind. Thereafter there was a steady procession of wickets until the Eastcote side were all out for 177. James Hopton, Mick Byrne, Ed Coupe and another guest had taken two apiece and Simon Campbell got one. The Queries finished their season with a win by 73 runs.

vs Hinton Charterhouse CC on 6th September.

David Haywood had gathered a side with a good blend of youth and experience, a heavy Army influence, lots of batting and off-spin but only one medium pace bowler. HC chose to bat first, largely because they only had 5 players at the ground, and Tom Grant took the new ball for the Queries against two accomplished young batsmen who wanted to score runs and who put on 50 for the opening stand. Tom's opening spell of 17 overs brought him 2 wickets for 44 runs and a lot of respect from the batters. The other end was the preserve of the off spinners of whom the Queries had plenty - Matt McCann began with 5 overs for 29 runs. Then Michael Chitty, father of Jonathan, bowled 11 overs for 44 runs, taking 2 wickets on the way. And Nick Lind bowled 5 overs for 34 runs. By way of a change David Haywood bowled Jonathan Chitty from the other end, and he got 1 for 25 from 8 overs. Candidate Nick Nottingham also had a bowl and put down 4 overs of his medium pace for 27 runs.

Two highlights of the fielding were Jonathan's electrifying and athletic catch in the slips, leaping high into the air, and Tom Grant's no less skillful one-handed catch at cover.

The batting opened with Clyde Williams and Nick Nottingham whilst the HC bowling opened with a young quickie from the top end and a leg-spinner from the other. The quickie was difficult to lay a bat on, and the leggie was hard to get away as he was quite erratic. Clyde scooped up a catch in the 8th over for 9 bringing James Illingworth to the crease, and he set out his stall straight away with a flashing drive and a miss! Queries were 43 for 2 when Nick was caught and 76 for 3 when Nick Lind was caught but a fine 4th wicket stand of 91 runs between James and Chris Sloane began to get the Queries back into the game. Time was running out, the light was fading, and James was running out of partners - but he powered on to a fine 118 before holing out to deep long on. He had struck eight 6s and six 4s from 47 scoring shots.

When HC brought the quickie back on with 7 overs to go, a draw was certain although the fading light was beginning to cause problems. HC skipper Mark Fricker relented for the final over and put on a rabbit, and for a moment the Queries thought that if Tom Grant could score six 6s, they could win. A wide off the first ball helped; then a six brought a cheer from the pavilion; another 6 brought a bigger cheer - and then Tom top-edged the ball to the keeper! Only one run was added after that and the Queries closed their innings on 212 for 8 - and the match was drawn.

vs the Hampshire Wayfarers CC at Devizes on 3rd September.

The track had survived the previous day's rain well and was hard and dry however the strong wind presented challenges of its own: but the say was fine and contrary to all expectations and the weather forecast we got nearly 87 overs in starting just after 1.00pm.  The Queries won the toss and skipper Will Hopton elected to bat, opening with candidate Richard Buxton and Oli Langton. Indifferent bowling allowed them to set a decent run rate and when Richard was caught for 39 in the 13th over the score was 61. A guest Rupert Naylor (no relation to James) added a further 15 before he was caught and Oli scored 28 before he was also caught. Jim Langan hit 9 fours in 90 minutes at the crease to reach 57 before being run out and Will Langton hit a confident 41 before he was clean bowled. Jonathan Chitty, another candidate, and Will Hopton then put on52 before Jonathan was run out and Will declared his innings just before 4.00pm at 249 for 7.

When we bowled, things started quite quietly until the 9th over when one opener set about Jeremy Wilkins and  took 20 off him in one over. A change of bowling to spin from Sam Ramsey and a well-spread field enticed said opener to smack a full toss straight to James Hopton on the boundary, and the Wayfarers were 70 for 1 in the 13th over. A 4th wicket stand of 35 and a 9th wicket stand of 30 were the only 2 bits of play that held up a steady succession of wickets and eventually the Wayfarers were all out for 193.  Jeremy Wilkins had taken 2 for 39 from 6.3 overs:James Hopton bowled well and took 3 for 22 from 8 overs: Oli Langton sent down a few loose ones but still took 3 for 45 from 9 overs; and Jonathan Chitty and Sam Ramsey got one apiece.

The Wayfarers made a nice presentation of their Club shield to Queries President David Haywood in the pavilion afterwards and David thanked them warmly.  David had actually played for the Wayfarers as they had turned up one short, and contributed 2 to their score before being caught by Will Langton off the bowling of James Hopton. Will we ever hear the end of that?

We welcomed Richard Buxton and Jonathan Chitty to their first Queries game and hope to see lots more of them in the future. We also thanked Will Hopton's friend Rupert Naylor for playing.

vs Valley End CC at Chobham on 2nd September

The match was cancelled as due to recent rain, the ground was not fit for play.

vs The Frogs CC at Devizes on 31st August

The Frogs won the toss and elected to bat.  Queries skipper Nick Lind gave the new ball to Richard Moore and Rupert Bagnall, both of whom bowled well. After 10 overs the score was 33 and in the 11th over Richard took 2 wickets to dismiss both openers. Rupert Bagnall and Geoff Ramsey both got a wicket before lunch and the Frogs finished the morning session of 22 overs on 67 for 4. Lunch was good but it did dreadful damage to the energy and drive of the Queries who then let the Frogs batsmen score freely for the next 29 overs during which spell only one wicket fell and the Frogs advanced their score to 211 for 5 when they declared. Geoff Ramsey took the only wicket after lunch and that gave him the creditable figures of 11 overs, 3 maidens, 2 for 29.  Richard Moore had bowled 10 overs taking 2 for 33. Nick Lind also used David Glanvill (6 overs for 26 runs), Declan Lyttle (3 overs for 30 runs), Simon Campbell in the unfamiliar role of bowling off spin (8 overs for 39), Sam Ramsey (3 overs for 20) and Tom Grant 2 overs for 2).

The plan to save Tom Grant's energy for when he opened the batting went somewhat awry as he nicked one to the keeper in the 3rd over. A guest S Halliday followed 13 runs later and the Queries were 28 for 2. David Haywood and Geoff Ramsey steadied the ship, as David faced 59 balls for 15 runs before falling to a very sharp caught and bowled, but the score had advanced to 72 for 3. Nick Lind came and went and the stage was then set for a great partnership between Geoff Ramsey and Simon Campbell. The boundaries flowed, including one 6 from Geoff and the Frogs' shoulders began to droop. When Simon was eventually caught at slip for 67, the partnership had lasted 102 runs and the victory was well within reach. at 191 for 5. Rupert Bagnall helped an exhausted Geoff for the final 21 runs and the Queries had won with 5 wickets to spare.  Geoff had scored an unbeaten 90 and Rupert 14*.

vs All Cannings CC at All Cannings on 30th August

This was a first for the Queries, in response to a suggestion from Freddie Coupe. Despite a late drop-out by a sick Will Langton, and notwithstanding the overcast, damp, breezy and cold conditions, the ten Queries were easily too strong for the ACCC Sunday XI. The Queries took the new ball in a 40 over match, and it was quickly apparent that cricketing skills were rather limited in the ACCC batting line-up. Richard Moore took 3 for 23 from 8 overs, including 2 maidens and William Leachman took 5 for 27 from 7 overs including one maiden. Despite David Glanvill not having his best day conceding 33 runs from 7 overs, and dropped catches by some of the senior players, Queries took all 10 wickets in 25.2 overs for a total of 97 runs, and that included 21 extras.

After a wonderful tea, Barry Aitken was in such a confident mood that he bet the opening batsmen Clyde Williams and Jon Moore that they could not win the game inside 12 overs. His confidence soon turned to worry as the fielding side appeared - some wearing hoodies, some in Bermuda shorts, some in black socks and coloured trainers - and both openers found the bowling to their liking and scored freely. Clyde hit three 6s and eight 4s on his way to an unbeaten 59, and Jon hit six 4s on his way to 34*. The match was all over in 11.3 overs and £20 was duly paid to the skipper towards the teas!

The excellent 5 wicket haul by William Leachman was marked by the presentation of a tie to him in the dressing room after the match.

An easy win by 10 wickets in a very friendly 'village' match, with a superb tea. Evenso as the side prepares for the Frogs CC match tomorrow, the team coach will be concerned by the dropped catches by senior players and the 21 extras.  He will also be hoping that the weather improves and the temperature rises significantly.

vs The Grannies CC at Devizes on 23rd August

The Grannies would bat first, and then set off at a brisk scoring pace until the opener was caught at gully by Tom Shaw off the bowling of Owen Burgess in the 6th over. A short partnership of 20 runs followed before two wickets fell in quick succession, one being bowled by Owen and the other bowled by Max Campion.. Ninian MacGregor suckered a batsman into popping one up to long off for the 4th wicket and Matt McCann bowled the 5th. So the Queries went in to lunch with the Grannies 5 down for 87 runs. After the break and long partnership of 90 runs was finally broken when Will Langton bowled the number 7 batsman and after that there was a procession of wickets until the Grannies were all out for 211 runs when wicketkeeper Oli Williams scored a direct hit to remove the last batsman.  Matt McCann had taken 3 for 19 from 6 overs: Will Langton, Max Campion, Ninian MacGregor, and Simon Campbell had all taken one apiece and Owen Burgess had two for 13 from  6 overs. The Queries were confidant that this was 'gettable', however when opener Tom Grant was caught in the opening over and Tom Shaw edged one to slip in the 4th over, their was some sucking of teeth! Queries were 3 for 3.

However Joe Wookey and Matt McCann got their heads down and built a partnership of 63 runs until Matt was caught for 30. Oli Williams looked to be enjoying his bating for 34 runs until he was bowled off his pads. James Macey, playing the first game since his only game last season, showed that he had not lost the touch as he kept the ball out and made a few runs - but it was Joe Wookey who anchored the innings and with a towering 6 in the 42nd over, ended the match and brought up his own century.  101 not out, including that one 6 and 13 fours, two of which were 'run'. It was an excellent effort and he justly deserved the Club tie that President David Haywood presented to him after the match.

Queries won with 6 wickets in hand.

vs Swindon GWR Old Boys XI at Devizes, 16th Aug

The switch over of Match Managers and the summer holidays took their toll on this match, and the new match manager Matt McCann had all sorts of problems raising an XI. In the end we fielded XI with 4 guests and very grateful we were too for their contribution.  The Queries batted first and there was just 12 runs on the board after 5 overs when Tom Grant was caught by Derrick Beer at first slip. The first guest, Luke Graham from Andover CC then moved the score along to 99 but lost partners Matt Jamieson (lbw for 14) and Tom Pike (bowled for 17) on the way. Luke then popped one up for a catch when he was on 49 and the Queries went in to lunch at 99 for 4.

Andy Hodder and Matt McCann restarted after lunch and it was Andy who was to prove the anchor of the innings. He lost partners Matt (bowled 13), Jack Campbell (c&B 4), David Glanvill (bowled 0) on the way and only Theo Bossom got his head down and started to create a partnership. These two, having been 151 for 8, pushed the score to 208 when Andy, by this time pretty exhausted, was caught for 81 which included thirteen 4s. The tail enders came and went for 21 runs and the Queries were all out for 225. Remarkably this total included just 2 extras, both wides.

The Queries reply began disastrously as Tom Pike, in his first 2 overs, conceded 27 extras. That put us on the back foot and the GWR batsmen on the front foot as they progressed steadily. A calling error provided the Queries with a run out with the score at 69 and that raised Query hopes a little. They took a catch at 109 off David Glanvill's bowling - his first wicket for his new Club - and as the run rate slowed down, Luke Graham secured three more wickets. With 20 overs to go the GWR still needed more than 100 runs, - and there was beginning to be seeds of hope of at least saving the match - but a second wicket by David Glanvill brought the big hitter to the crease and he smashed his way to a quick 34 and victory for his side by 4 wickets.

Luke Graham bowled 11 overs taking 3 for 34 and we are grateful to him:  David Glanvill bowled 7 overs and took 2 for 21 - well done David.  Matt McCann bowled very tidily for 11 overs and conceded just 22 runs; and Theo Bossom bowled 13 overs for 57 runs, conceding almost 30 runs from his last 3 overs!  Tom Pike's figures are unmentionable and Tom Grant chipped in with a couple of overs of spin. One of the main factors in our fielding/bowling effort was the 36 extras that we accumulated.

vs Collingbourne Ducis at Collingbourne on 14th August.

The Queries were strong on paper, and proved strong on the field in this 40 over match at Collingbourne. With Queries Iain Kiy, and Tom Grant playing for the opposition there was plenty of good banter as Matt Jamieson and Will Langton opened the Queries innings and put on 55 before Will was caught.  The wicket was sticky and not easy to read and a number of shots were played too early. Matt scored his half century before being caught, and Tom Shaw and Jon Moore also made their half centuries before they were bowled. There were some imperious shots off the bats of Tom and Jon, helped in large part by indifferent bowling. Skipper Chris Sloane was well pleased with a total of 232 for 7 at the end of the innings as the players headed to the pavilion for the sort of magnificent tea for which Collingbourne has a well-deserved reputation.

In the field, our fielding was athletic, lively and effective and Collingbourne were frustrated as good shots were blocked and confined to single runs. Pick of the bowlers was Josh Ballantine-Dykes with 5 for 12 from 3 overs bowling at the tail, but Mark Fenn and Will Langton both got 2 apiece for 27 and 18 respectively. Three catches were held and Tom Shaw made one successful stumping.

It was great to have the scoring services of Barnaby Bossom, for which many thanks. And it was great to have the umpiring services of senior Query Howard Moore who turned up to watch and was pressed into service for a number of overs!

Queries bowled out Collingbourne for 163 and won the match by 69 runs.

vs The Incogniti CC at Devizes on 19th August.

The Incogs looked strong. Having won the toss and put the Queries in the field, their openers set off in a determined style and put on 115 before Will Langton bowled the opener. 6 runs later, Simon Campbell had the other opener caught at mid off by Theo Bossom, and the teams left the field for lunch.  The first ball after lunch, Simon Campbell, completing his unfinished over, bowled the new batsman first ball. 121 for 3. Having not been too effective with the new ball, the Query bowling then improved noticeably. Theo Bossom came back to take 2 wickets. Simon Campbell had taken 2 for 26 in 7 overs. Richard Moore took 1 for 26 from 8 overs. Matt Jamieson took 1 for 29 from 3 overs. David Glanvill, Sam Ramsey and Vaughn Williams were wicketless. The Incogs declared after 51 overs on 236 for 7.

Vaughn Williams and Matt Jamieson opened for the Queries and put on 70 before Matt was trapped lbw for 24. Tom Palmer joined Matt and there then followed a marvellous stand of 151, putting the win "in the bag". At one stage there was much guessing as to who would reach their century first but Tom provided the answer by getting caught on the boundary for 91. Vaughn got his ton and was then caught immediately for 100 leaving Jim Langan and Jon Moore to tidy up and win the match by 7 wickets, and with 5 overs still left to play. It was a great return to Query cricket for Vaughn after his 3 week holiday in his native South Africa.and it was great to see Tom Palmer out in Query colours and doing so well. It was also very satisfying for the Queries to be back on the winners podium!

vs Seagry CC at Seagry on 9th August.

Both sides were fielding 10 players for this match, and the Queries would bat first - only to find themselves 1 down in the 2nd over when Ed Coupe was bowled. The (uncovered) track had taken a lot of rain in the past week and was at best variable, and batsmen found it difficult to handle. Candidate David Glanvill followed Ed 3 overs later and the Queries were 8 for 2. Mike Fernley faced  27 dot balls before he was out caught ans we were 12 for 3. Mike Swabey was nursing an injured foot and eventually required a runner and when he was caught the score was 41. Things were looking bleak and the Queries were heading for a total of England cricket proportion!  Matt Jamieson tried to cope with the pitch but was eventually caught behind cover for 17, but Nick Bunday and Oli Williams came to grips with the conditions and got their heads down, pushing the score up to 100 when Oli inadvertently played the ball on to his stumps when swishing at a wide ball. He was out for 28 and skipper Freddie Coupe joined Nick. Nick was eventually left high and dry when Freddie was bowled for 20, his nephew Jamie was out first ball and Jake Bunday was bowled for 5: Nick carried his bat for 48 and the Queries were all out for 151.

Our bowling was reminiscent of the joke bowling of Queries cricket years ago as Ed Coupe looped in his hand grenades from one end, and managed to bowl 2 batsmen. At the other end candidate David Glanvill bowled a first spell of 7 overs for 17 runs but had a little difficulty maintaining a line and length. The target was never really out of reach to the Seagry batsmen and as the opener made 47 before being bowled by Matt Jamieson, and Nick Jones scored 65 not out, the result was never in doubt. They won with 6 wickets to spare - their first victory over the Queries for (we think) 6 years. David Glanvill had bowled 10 overs for 37 runs: Ed Coupe took 2 wickets for 16 runs in his 5 overs: Jamie Coupe conceded 15 runs in his 4 over spell and given a little coaching and practice will be a useful bowler: Jake Bunday conceded 32 runs from his 6 overs, finding a little difficulty getting his length right: Matt Jamieson took 1 for 29 from his 5 overs: and lastly Nick Bunday bowled 4 overs for 11 runs.

vs Glamorgan Nomads CC at Corsham, 5th August.

This match was cancelled as the ground at Corsham was too wet for play.

vs Gloucestershire Gipsies CC at Stowell Park, 3rd August

This was to be the Queries first visit to Stowell Park and very picturesque it is too.  Without covers, and with only one sight screen, the pitch was rather soft and the spinners would have a field day, but it played reasonably well and the outfield was quick.  The Queries were put in the field and Skipper Simon Campbell opened with new candidate Will Hopton and Tom Grant. Tom made the breakthrough early, nipping one back to get an lbw decision and 30 runs later a fine run-out from Will Hopton saw the Gipsies 41 for 2. And that is where the Queries progress stopped, as the two batsmen - one of them Tom Richardson being a Query as well as a Gipsy - made hay and enjoyed a risk-free stand of 183. No Query bowler seemed to trouble them until one batsman was stumped by Tom Shaw off James Hopton's bowling, and then 40 runs later the other batsman was caught on the boundary by James Hopton off a full toss from leg spinner James Langan. The declaration came at 3.15pm with the Gipsies on 273 for 4.

The Queries reply started promisingly until Tom Grant "went for one wide of off stump" and skied it to extra cover. In any other match it would have been safe, but in this match a very athletic fielder running backwards and then diving backwards too a very good one-handed catch. Tom was out for 13. Tom Shaw looked in much better form than he had been recently and scored reasonably freely for 42 runs when he was judged lbw. His cover drives were particularly positive and he and Will enjoyed a stand of 95. Jim Langan, in his first match in Queries colours since his gap-year world tour, scored 24 before running down the wicket and getting stumped; and then James Naylor struggled to get his eye in with the big shots but still managed 25 before holing out to deep mid wicket. Nonetheless, at 164 for 4, with 23 overs remaining, the future did not look bleak if the remaining batsmen could put bat to ball. Sadly they could not. James Hopton, Hamish Horton, and Will Langton all out for 5 and Chris Sloane 7, and they were not able to stay with skipper Simon Campbell and provide the support he needed. He himself was having trouble finding the meat of his bat and despite his contribution of 24, the Queries were all out for 238, losing the match by 36 runs.

THE YORKSHIRE TOUR

27th July vs the Yorkshire Gentlemen CC at Escrick
A little shower of rain delayed the start and slowed the outfield, but play was started at 12.34pm with the Queries batting first with Will Hopton and Tom Grant opening and facing prodigious fast swing from one end! For the first time in Query memory, Will Hopton was out bowled having scored just 6 runs. Tom Grant made 21 before he was stumped, but David Haywood began to build an innings. Scoring was slow, and not easy - after 20 overs we had scored just 46 and after 40 overs just 113. However the middle order all had a go at pushing on the score and David Haywood eventually declared at 184 for 7. he had scored 49 before getting stumped; Nick Bunday made 12, Tom Shaw 18, Will Dawe 25, and Simon Campbell 20 not out.

The reply was positive and quick when Tom Grant had the YGs opener caught behind in the 2nd over. Both Tom and Jeremy Wilkins kept up the pressure on the batsmen, conceding just 33 runs from their 17 overs and taking a wicket apiece. However it was James Hopton who did the real damage, removing the opener and the middle order in a fine spell of spin bowling. He took 3 for 42 from 12 overs with his first wicket being a fine catch at deep mid wicket by his brother Will. YGs were 4 down for 65 runs runs and struggling. At the start of the last 20 overs they were 5 down for 89. Two young cricketers put up a spirited defence, one of them felling Jeremy Wilkins at silly mid off and Queries could only manage 3 more wickets before stumps. Josh B-D took 2 for 22 from his 5 overs and the other two bowled used by skipper David Haywood were Simon Campbell (2 overs, 1 maiden 2 runs) and Andrew Greenwood (9 overs, 2 maidens for 33 runs).

The YGs were very hospitable and kind and it was a pleasure to be back at Escrick amongst friends.

28th July vs The Saints at Harrogate CC.
The old Yorkshire county ground at Harrogate is an imposing ground and the Queries always enjoy playing there - despite the old pavilion being burned down and only the foundations visible! Rain was promised and play was interrupted from time to time but we still managed 115 overs in the day. The Queries batted first under skipper Simon Campbell, and Will Hopton and Nick Bunday opened against a young and enthusiastic Saints side. Whilst Will looked set for a long and productive innings, Nick Bunday and then Tom Shaw were both caught in the slips after facing 8 and 16 balls respectively. 2 wickets down with 41 on the board. Josh B-D faced 65 balls for his 28 runs, but helped create a useful stand of 71 runs. Jeremy Wilkins and Will Dawe both came and went quite cheaply, but Tom Grant stayed with Will to move the score along to 200 when Will, who had scored an impressive 111 was caught going for a big hit. He ran fast between the wickets, and scored 10 boundaries all around this large ground. Simon Campbell then joined Tom for a quick partnership of 58 runs before he declared the innings.

The Saints reply was quite measured in the 35 minutes before tea and Jeremy Wilkins and Tom Grant enjoyed 6 overs between them for only 17 runs. Andrew Greenwood was less economic going for 16 runs in 2 overs. After tea the Saints pushed on. Jeremy and Tom were wicketless, James Hopton took 1 for 60 from 14 overs. Andrew Greenwood took 1 for 45 from 8 overs. Josh B-D and Will Hopton were also wicketless. It was Simon Campbell in a 9 over spell of inspired bowling who took 6 for 25, including 3 wickets in 9 balls, and removed batsmen 1 to 5 and number 8.  All the Saints wickets were catches, including one particularly fine catch taken by Nick Bunday at leg gully. The Saints final pair managed to force the draw at 251 for 9.

Despite early murmurings both sides enjoyed a good match with the Queries batting for 60 overs and the Saints for 56. The Saints skipper Martin Laidler was an excellent host and we shall look forward to another fixture next year.

29th July vs Ilkley CC at Ilkley
It was ironic that the golfers should enjoy a fine and breezy round of golf at Bracken Ghyll in the morning and yet when the side assembled for cricket the heavens opened.  The start was delayed beyond 2.30pm, and the the match format was changed to a 30 overs a side with the Queries put in the field. They managed to bowl just 23 overs before the rain got too strong and players were taken off. An early tea was taken - salmon sandwiches no less ! - but the rain did not relent and the match was abandoned as a draw. For the record Tom Grant got one wicket, caught behind and James Hopton also got one when Jeremy Wilkins took a sharp catch at short mid wicket.

It was a disappointing way to finish the tour, but after 5 trips up to Yorkshire we are becoming used to rain interruptions.  Three players started their journey home after the match and the others repaired to the Fleece at Addingham for a final meal, to be followed by the final Perudo session at the Riverside.

Will Hopton's century and Simon Campbell's 6 for 25 were the high points of our performances, followed by David Haywood's 49 and James Hopton's 3 for 42 at Escrick. For the batsmen who got two innings, Will Hopton scored 6 and 111, Tom Grant 21 and 38*, Simon Campbell 20 and 21*. From the two matches at Escrick and Harrogate, Simon Campbell took 6 for 27, Josh B-D took 2 for 49, James Hopton took 4 for 102, Jeremy Wilkins 1 for 79, Tom Grant 1 for 34 and Andrew Greenwood 1 for 78. Dave Thompson took 3 catches behind the stumps; Josh B-D held 2 catches, and the Hoptons held 3,. Even Tom Shaw managed to hold one!

It has been an enjoyable 3 days of cricket despite the worst intentions of the weather. The evenings at the Fleece were lively and fun: the later evenings in the Riverside Hotel were noisy, hilarious and much enjoyed. Kristine looked after us as well as ever and all in all it was a good trip - so well done to the tourists.

23rd July vs the Free Foresters CC at Devizes
The day was full of promise as the Foresters went out to bat first, and they set about a vigorous batting spree putting on 72 for the first wicket and 30 more for the second. Before lunch Jeremy Wilkins bowled 6 overs for 27 runs: guest Tom Davies bowled 6 for 32; Tom Grant bowled 9 overs taking 1 for 22.  After lunch it seems that they ran amok! Their third and fourth wickets fell at 242 and they declared at 261 for 6.  Jeremy bowled 3 more overs and conceded 24 runs in them: Tom Davies also bowled 3 more and conceded  28 runs: and Tom Grant's figures went from 1 for 22 to 2 for 49 after 4 more overs! It was good to see James Hall out in a Queries side again, and he bowled 7 overs taking 1 for 33. Tom Shaw and Iain Kiy were the other two Queries bowlers.

When the Queries innings began the weather was turning and the field was on and off a couple of times because of rain. The pitch had already received a lot of rain this week, so it would not take much to stop the match. As it was, the Queries decided to get some runs as quickly as possible and managed 43 runs in the 11 overs before tea. However after tea only another 11 overs were possible before rain brought the game to a close. In that time Jeff Haywood was caught for 13; Clyde Williams was bowled for 58; candidate Will Langton got a duck and guest J Moss was stumped for 16. At 94 for 4 the umpires took the players off the field and the match sadly had to be abandoned as a draw..

The good news is that candidate Will Langton played his first match, and Clyde Williams has since signed up as a candidate. We hope to see more of both of them in the future

22nd July vs Aldershot Garrison XI at Devizes CC
Chris Sloane works at Aldershot and had asked whether he could bring a Garrison side down to play the Queries. An afternoon match was arranged and having been cancelled the day before we were hoping for a fine day with a good drying wind - and we got it.

Chris had agreed a 45 over game, won the toss and decided to field. Jeff Haywood and Matt McCann opened for the Queries and 14 balls later Matt was back in the pavilion having been clean bowled for 2. It was windy, the pitch was still sticky and judging bounce and speed was challenging. Tom Shaw came in at 3 and lasted 12 balls before he mistimed one and gave a simple catch to cover. Tom Grant came in next and stayed with Jeff for a decent stand of  77 runs, taking the score to 95 when Tom was caught for 37 having faced 50 balls. Josh Ballantine-Dykes made 20 before he was bowled which brought Freddie Coupe to the crease. Some time soon after that Jeff Haywood hurt his knee and retired. He had faced 115 balls and scored 74 including 4 boundaries. Luckily Freddie, on whom the Queries hopes rested got his eye in and kept his end going whilst Will Whyte went for a golden duck and then David Haywood managed one run before he too retired hurt. Freddie eventually went on to make 46 before he was caught in the deep, but it was good to see him back on the pitch for the Queries and beginning to look his old self at the crease.. Queries finished their 45 overs on 224 for 6.

The Garrison XI batting seemed to rely on two players - one from Warminster and the other from Heytesbury - plus 9 others who could swing a bat! Luckily the Warminster lad, who had opened his account with 3 straight fours, was caught behind by Brian Thompson off Tom grant's bowling. Then they were 2 down for 50 runs, three down for 60 and 4 down for 70. However this brought the Heytesbury man to the crease and he batted solidly and confidently to carry his bat for 87, all the while edging the score nearer and nearer to the target score of 224. There was 189 runs on the board when the 5th and 6th wickets fell. The track was getting much easier, they liked the challenge and the Queries bowlers could not contain the runs. At the start of the last over, the Garrison score stood at 212 and they needed 14 to win. A single, a six and two 2's left them requiring 3 off the last ball. They hit out, ran two and then Matt McCann secured a run out - so the match ended in a tie.

All credit to the Garrison XI for an exciting finish and a good result however the Queries will be concerned that their bowlers - with a couple of exceptions - did not bowl well.  Tom Grant bowled 9 overs, including 4 maidens, and took 2 for 20. Tom Shaw bowled 10 overs and took 1 for 53; and Josh B-D bowled 4 overs taking 1 for 14.

21st July vs Potterne CC - match cancelled due to the weather.

20th July vs Oxford Downs CC at Standlake.

It has been the Queries honour to be the first match of the Downs Cricket Week for some years and rarely has there been a boring match. Today's game looked as though it might break the mold, but then turned full circle and spectators enjoyed a thrilling finish albeit a slightly disappointing one for the Queries.

The Downs batted first and despite Ben Bowers getting a wicket in his first over (4 for 1) when Josh Ballantine Dykes took a good catch at mid wicket,  then built an innings around one batsman who set about amassing a score. The second wicket fell at 41 and the third at 44 but there then followed a stand of 153 as the one batsman scored freely all around the ground and made his century. 197 for 4 and it was looking as if the Downs were rather a one-man show. One other batsman made 57 and the remainder all fell cheaply. The centurion retired and the Downs ended on 226. Queries skipper Derrick Beer took 3 for 16 from 3.1 overs: Tom Haywood took 2 for 33 from 8 overs: Ben Bowers got 2 for 26 from 8 overs, and Jeremy Wilkins got 1 for 34 from 10.

Our opening batsmen scored 1 run in the first 4 overs, and then Tom Shaw flashed at a wide one and was caught behind. Sam Kirkaldy could not get the ball away and was eventually bowled for 7, with the score at 39 for 2. Tom and Jeff Haywood started to make a fist of it until Jeff was caught for 25, but Richard Millard-Smith picked up where Jeff had left off and scored 29 quick runs before being given an unlucky lbw decision. We were 100 for 4, 21 overs had been bowled and there were just 2 overs to go before the last 20 overs.Then Tom tried to open up and was caught having scored 18, followed by Jamie Kirkaldy who scored 6.  We were 169 for 5. This brought Josh Ballantine Dykes to the crease and from his first ball he made it clear that he wanted runs. Ben Bowers and Jeremy Wilkins partnered him for a while, scoring 15 and 12 respectively. When Ben was out the score was 165 for 8, and when Jeremy was bowled we had pushed on to 217 for 8. Despite Andrew Greenwood getting a first ball lbw, Josh powered on but the Queries were 217 for 9, leaving skipper Derrick Beer with Josh and 7 balls remaining. They managed to get to 221 when Josh, going for the big one, was caught at deep long on  and the Queries were all out for 221 and lost the match by 6 runs.

19th July: the Queries Twenty/20 event at Devizes CC.

The weather was a bit iffy at Devizes and it was soon clear that we were not going to get away without a shower or two. As it happened a couple of showers were very heavy and the pitch received some rain damage but with all thanks to the players, we eventually got a result. In the first round, Devizes CC played Chippenham CC., and were able only to amass a total of 106 all out with one Chippenham (Sikes) bowler taking 4 for 23 and another (Higgins) taking 3 for 14. Ont he other ground, Marlborough scored 121 for 6 in their 20 overs but the Queries were able to reach this total for the loss of only 2 wickets. Will Hopton was run out for 47 and Tom Grant bowled for 45, leaving James Melhorn and Ben Bowers to finish it off in the 17th over.

After lunch, Marlborough beat Devizes in the play-off for 3rd place. The Queries bowling contained Chippenham to a total of 106 for 7. Tom Grant and Jeremy Wilkins conceded only 25 runs in the first 6 overs: Andrew Greenwood overcame his nerves to 3 overs, 2 for 16: and Alex Garman in his last match for the Queries this season and possibly for some time, bowled 3 overs and took 3 for 11. The batting reply was as predictable as the first match - Will Hopton scored 42 not out. and Alex Garman 49 before he was run out, leaving James Melhorn to help Will tidy up. The Queries won by 9 wickets in the 12th over.

After the match, Queries President David Haywood thanked Chippenham, Marlborough and Devizes for playing and hoped to see them again next year. He presented the Chippenham skipper Craig Fry with a Queries shield as thanks for their taking part, and Simon Campbell the Winners Shield.

15th July vs South Oxford Amateurs at Devizes

The Queries skippered by Sam Palmer won the toss and batted first with the tried and tested pairing of Will Hopton and Matt Jamieson walking to the wicket first. In the first 80 minutes they put on 78 runs, with their trademark quick running between the wickets. Will was caught behind off a good ball from Olly Langton for 45 and then, after Joe Wookey batted for 10 minutes for 10 runs (93 for 2), Tom Shaw joined Matt and together they took the score to 250 when Tom retired on 100. When Sam called them in, Matt had scored 103 and Chris Sloane was on 4.  Matt had hit sixteen boundaries, and Tom had hit twelve fours and two sixes. The SOA really did not have an answer to this display of skillful batting - and the innings was declared on 273 for 2.

Jeremy Wilkins and Theo Bossom took the new ball and it was Theo who got the breakthrough in his second over getting the opener caught behind. The other opener proved to be far more stubborn and steadily built a decent innings before he was caught for 77. SOA were 152 for 4 and thereafter wickets fell steadily until they were 201 for 9. However the final pair could not be dislodged, despite skipper Sam Palmer crowding and surrounding the batsman, and the match ended as a draw with the SOA on 236 for 9. Jeremy Wilkins was quite expensive at 1 for 60 from 13 overs: Josh B-D also failed to find a decent and sustained line and length, taking just 1 for 54 from 10. Will Whyte was more successful with 2 for 47 from 16, which included one magnificent diving c&b, but Theo Bossom was the pick of the bowlers with 5 for 69 from 16 overs.

Congratulations to SOA skipper (and Query) Iain Cambell for making such an enjoyable game of it and to their senior pro Chris Wakefield for staying the course and creating the draw. It was a good day for Queries cricket with two centuries and a 5-fer.

12th July vs UEA OBs XI at Devizes

After opening the batting and losing Tom Shaw early for 9, Tom Grant and Alex Garman had a decent stand of 86 before Alex was bowled for 35. Tom Grant was caught 15 minutes later for 53, quickly followed by Josh Ballantine-Dykes who was lbw for 8. The Queries were 113 for 4 before lunch. After the break runs were hard to come by and apart from Matt McCann who made 31 before being caught off the bowling of Will Whyte, no other batsman got in. The Queries were all out for 181 after 57 overs.
The UEA reply opened with James Melhorn who made 58 and retired, and his partner who was eventually caught and bowled for 40. The runs flowed quickly and easily and after 32 overs it was all over and the Queries had lost by 7 wickets. Josh B-D and Matt McCann got one wicket apiece, but Piers Foster (6 for 28) Alex Garman (6 for 27) Nick Foster (3 for 21) and Will Dobbs (2 for 15) were wicketless.

5th July vs Hampshire Hogs CC at Warnford.

Skipper Sam Blake had assembled a young Queries side for this match - a fixture which was first played in 1935. He won the toss and opted to bat first, opening with Tom Shaw and Matt McCann for whom the opening menu was lots of short pitched bowling from the top end. Matt did not settle and was bowled in the 4th over for 4. Iain Kiy came in and was on his way back to the pavilion just 5 balls later for a duck. Alex Garman settled quickly into his stride and with Tom began to build an important partnership. From 11 for 2 in the 4th over, Tom's half century came in 80 minutes from 60 balls, and Alex's from 83 minutes and 58 balls and the pair took the total to 173 at lunch with Tom hovering on a century.

After lunch the tide changed. The 3rd wicket partnership of 163 runs in 97 minutes was broken in the first over after lunch with Alex bowled for 59. Joe Wookey came and went for 3 the following over, and then Tom was caught behind for 120 3 overs later. Queries losing 7 wickets in 22 overs and adding 110 runs, were all out for 281 in the 53rd over. Sam Blake had added 32, Will Dobbs carried his bat for 26 and no other batsman made it to double figures - however the 30 or so runs from the final pair was to prove very important.

The Queries bowling attack opened with Theo Bossom and Will Dobbs, with Will getting the breakthrough in the 6th over when the opener was caught behind and the score was 32. 10 overs later Jeremy Wilkins trapped the other opener lbw and the score was 49. He followed this with a wicket the next over, and the Queries were very happy. A stand of  40 runs quietened things down a bit until Sam Blake brought Theo back into the attack and he promptly took two wickets in his initial over. 103 for 5. A stumping by replacement keeper Joe Wookey off Josh B-D's bowling made it 140 for 7 and the Queries felt they were in the driving seat however there then followed - inside the last 20 overs - a stand of  91 runs as two Hogs hit the bowling hard to all corners. The required run rate was dropping fast and things looked as if a result in the Hogs favour might just be possible. It was Jeremy Wilkins who stopped the decline, bowling Hogs top scorer Chris Evans with the score at 231 for 7a nd with seven overs still to bowl. A wonderful long throw by Alex Garman secured a run out  to get the Hogs 8 down for 239, and the Queries were back in the driving seat with 5 overs left.

Jeremy Wilkins clean bowled the number 9 batsman only to find he had overstepped the line and it was a no ball! Despite his and Alex Garman's valiant efforts, Queries could not dislodge the penultimate pair and the match was drawn with the Hogs running out of time at 260 for 8 having received 55 overs.

Tom Shaw's 120 was pivotal and the innings of Alex Garman, Sam Blake and Will Dobbs had been important. The last pair stand of 30 runs was crucial. Jeremy Wilkins' 3 for 46 from 15 overs, including 2 maidens, was a good performance and it's great to see him back in Query colours again. Theo Bossom took 2 for 66 from 10, and Will Dobbs and Josh Ballantine-Dykes got one apiece. Queries fielding was not at its best and there were a number of dropped catches.

The draw, given the ups and downs of both innings, was probably a fair result. More importantly the Queries did not lose the match!

2nd July vs Warminster School, at Warminster CC.

A chance meeting on the golf course with the Head Master Martin Priestley led to the arrangement of this match, and very successful it was too. David Haywood had assembled a young-ish side, slightly short on pace but long on spin but with lots of batting. He lost the toss and was put in to bat and from the start Will Hopton and Tom Shaw kept the score board ticking over at about 5 an over and enjoyed a stand of 79 before Will was given out lbw. Chris Sloane was lbw  5 balls later in the same Ladva maiden over. Will Dawe scored a quick 26 from 19 balls before he was bowled, and the Queries were 123 for 3. Then Tom Shaw, 3 shy of his half century was caught behind. Simon Campbell and Olie Sloane - playing on his home ground - then pushed the score on quickly towards the declaration of 207 for 6 with Simon hitting 2 trademark sixes out of the ground.

The Queries bowling lacked some pace and was long on spin. Theo Bossom and Simon Campbell took the new ball and Theo took the first wicket in the 5th over with the score at 32, when David Haywood took a fine catch at deep mid off. Then Ru Bunday took over one end and bowled 8 overs for 47 runs, taking 4 wickets. This was his last Queries match in 2009 before he heads for a gap year in New Zealand and we hope the Kiwis will enjoy his bowling as much as we do. Olie Sloane bowled in tandem with Ru, and he took 3 for 40 from his 8 overs. Ironically this was also Olie's last 2009 Queries match before he heads to New York University.  Warminster School lost 5 wickets between overs 12 and 20 and Queries thought the end was in sight. However the inability to bowl straight and a number of near misses allowed the School to survive the last 20 overs for the loss of only one wicket. They finished on 186 for 8 and the match was drawn. 26 Queries extras did not help the cause!

After the match the Queries and the School side were invited to a bar-b-que at the Head Master's house. It was a delightful party in beautiful surroundings with excellent food. David Haywood made a short speech of thanks and presented a Queries shield to the master in charge of cricket who confirmed that they wished to repeat the fixture again next year.  All in all it was a very satisfactory day and one which the Queries shall look forward to repeating.

28th June vs The Rifles CC  at St Cross, Winchester.

After a mix up at the start, when the Rifles thought it was an 11.30am start and the Queries appeared for a 1.00pm start, this 45 over game got under way with the Queries losing the toss and being put into bat. Will Hopton and Matt Jamieson renewed their opening partnership which had been so successful in the Stragglers match and with quick running between the wickets made an excellent start putting on 76 when Matt was stumped on 42. Will went on to make a stand of 80 with James Melhorn before he was surprisingly run out for 56 by an amazing throw from the long on boundary. Vaughn Williams scored only 3 before he was caught and bowled for 3 and at 176 James Melhorn was also stumped for a fine 46. Thereafter, as the need to put runs on the board increased, everyone played a part - Matt McCann scored 13, Alex Garman 11 and Simon Campbell 36 to get the Queries up to 254 for 9 at the end of their 45 overs. This was a good total given the state of the pitch.

The score book does not yet have the details of our bowling performance, but once the first 3 wickets had fallen the Queries felt they had the advantage. Only the Rifles skipper stood between them and victory and a good ball from Josh Ballantine-Dykes and an excellent stumping by Matt McCann sent him back to the pavilion.  Alex Garman cleared up the tail well, with 2 for 32 from 8, including 3 maidens. Vaughn Williams' second spell also bore fruit and he finished with 3 for 32 from 8. Josh got 2 for 43 from 7 and Tim Law, James Sayer and Simon Campbell got one apiece. The Rifles were all out for 212, and 6 of their wickets were catches.

It was clear from the Queries faces that they felt good being back to their winning ways! It had been a good match, played pretty well by both sides. Queries fielded better than the Rifles and held their catches. They bowled straighter and ran well between the wickets - but this is probably a fixture well-worth repeating.

25th June vs Dauntsey's School 1st XI

The day started with all sorts of promise for the Queries. The weather was fine, the team on paper was fairly strong in all areas, and the Queries were coming into this match with the confidence and the knowledge of being unbeaten so far this season. Pride comes before the fall?  Maybe - but we did not have a good day at the office despite a very promising start as Vaughn Williams and Matt Jamieson scored quite freely off the opening overs and we progressed rapidly to 50 or so runs. Then Vaughn gave a simple catch and was out for 31. After him Ollie Sloane gave an even simpler catch for only 1. Tim Williams stayed with Matt until the latter also gave a simple catch and was out for 19. Hamish Horton and James Sayer did not trouble the scorers but Aaron Day played some unconventional shots before he was bowled for 25.  Tim Williams was looking determined and settled until a quicker bowler came back on and he played all round a straight one and was bowled for 35. The tail end added a few more, but this Query side was all out for 151 in just 40.4 overs, having gone in to lunch 6 down for not very many. It is difficult to pinpoint just why we fared so badly and it is fair to say that not one of the wickets was a "bowler's wickets".

The Dauntseys XI had so much time to get 152 the end was never really in doubt, and to some degree was aided by less than accurate bowling - we bowled 11 wides - and some poor ground fielding. Tim Williams, Rupert Bagnall and Ollie Sloane got a wicket apiece and we lost by 7 wickets in the 27th  overs. Pick of the bowlers was Rupert who put heart and soul into his 7 overs for 21. Vaughn Williams also tried very hard standing in as the wicket keeper.

One of our Vice President's, John Sayer came along to watch and it was delightful to see him there looking so well at 88 (or is it 89?). He has strong links with Dauntsey's too having coached cricket at the School for some years.

This is a match that we like to perform well in, because it is a golden opportunity to recruit to the Queries some of the 1st XI who live in Wiltshire. Unfortunately this was not our day, and might not bring the benefits we would have wished.

21st June vs the Royal Artillery CC at Larkhill Garrison

Tim Law had survived a trying week getting this fixture off the ground but on the 20th the Gunners confirmed that they could play. His team assembled on the very picturesque ground at Larkhill in front of the Officers Mess and he decided to bat first. David Haywood and Matt McCann opened the batting but it was some time before they could put bat to ball - not for lack of trying but because the bowling was so wayward. 5 extras came from the first over and 13 from the second. On the 18th ball of the game Matt scored three - 20 extras from three overs and just three balls off the bat.  At the end of the Queries innings the Gunners had notched up an incredible 59 extras. Without being able to score quickly and given a slow over rate, David and Matt batted on for 158 runs before David retired hurt on 48 runs. The first wicket to fall, when James Illingworth who was making a welcome return to Query cricket was caught off the top edge for 21, fell in the 41st over when the score was 199. With little time left, Tom Shaw scored a quick 17 and Jon Moore just 1 and the innings was declared at 230 for 3 with Matt McCann carrying his bat for 84.  The score book is not exactly clear, but the impression was that the Queries had scored 50 runs before either opening batsman had made it into double figures!

Our fielding reply did not quite go to plan because Wayne Egglestone pulled a muscle in his shoulder in the opening over and could not bowl thereafter. Nevertheless he had taken one wicket by then - 1 over, 1 for 1.  Alex Garman and Tim Law continued with the new ball and Alex had the other opener caught behind - 15 for 2. Tim finished 4 overs for 13 runs and turned to Ollie Sloane and Josh Ballantine-Dykes for some spin. Both bowled 10 overs and both got 2 wickets with Ollie conceding 41 runs and Josh 59. A two over cameo appearance from Tom Shaw conceded 24 runs and it was left to Alex to clean up the tail and finish with 5 wickets for 35 runs from 11.5 overs. However throughout the Gunner innings it was only their skipper who held his crease and batted well. He played all our bowlers well. hitting the loose ball hard, but it was Josh B-D who deceived him with the straight one and bowled him for 112. The Gunners were all out for 182 and lost the match by 7 wickets. The second highest scorer was 'extras' with 20 and only 2 other RA batsmen apart from the skipper made it to double figures.

The Gunner innings lasted 38 overs, and some 7 overs into the last 20 so it was not a complete walkover for the Queries. This may not have been the strongest RA side, but we had a match and both sides generally enjoyed their day. Hopefully we can repeat the fixture next season.

It was good to see Jon Moore back in a Query side, now that he's back from Afghanistan. Query Tom Palmer was playing for the Gunners and will soon be moving to start a new appointment in Bulford so we hope to see lots more of him over the coming 2 seasons. We have not seen James Illingworth for many seasons but with his Army appointment taking him to Salisbury we hope he will play lots of Query cricket over the next 3 or 4 seasons.  And Jon Moore and Tom Palmer had an Old Bloxhamist friend (JJ Miller) down for the weekend who wants to sign up for the Queries so we should have another candidate there.  All in all a very satisfactory day!

14th June vs Marshfield - cancelled by Marshfield (who had to play a National Village Knockout Regional Final).

7th June vs the Stragglers of Asia at Devizes CC

The forecast was dire and yet the sky was virtually cloudless, so we wondered whether or not we would get a match completed. As it happened, and despite the odd gloomy period, we finished the day without a drop of rain. The Stragglers won the toss and their skipper Alex Garman elected to bat. Candidate Tim Williams from Australia opened the bowling for the Queries, striking gold on his 6th ball to dismiss Ian Perry.  He then struck again in his 5th over when Tom Grant was caught with an absolutely brilliant diving catch by Charlie O'Kelly at backward square. Tim finished with figures of 10, one maiden and 3 for 30 and he is someone that we would certainly like to see more of this season. Ben Bowers toiled away at the other end and finished wicketless for 35 runs from his 8 overs. Candidate Josh Ballantine Dykes showed what a useful off-spinner he can be in his two spells, conceding only 17 runs in his first 7 overs and taking one wicket; and conceding just 20 runs in his second spell and taking his second wicket. He finished with 2 for 37 from 13 overs, with 2 maidens.  Wayne Egglestone, on leave from Angola, bowled a mean 5 overs for 12 runs. Charlie O'Kelly bowled 9.5 overs and took 2 for 33, and Will Hopton and Skipper Simon Campbell bowled 3 overs apiece for 9 runs, with Will getting one wicket. It was a good team performance, with David Haywood, Simon Campbell and Charlie O'Kelly holding their catches, and keeper Tom Shaw taking two behind in what, under conditions that were not easy, was a very creditable performance. The other highlight was a run out when Charlie O'Kelly hit the stumps with a throw of about 30 meters. Stragglers were all out for 190 with Charlie O'K taking the last two wickets in two balls.

Will Hopton and Matt Jamieson opened the batting and no other Query batsman got a look in!  They both played the good balls with some respect, and hit the loose balls hard. They also ran very quickly between the wickets, presenting all sorts of headaches to the Stragglers skipper. At tea we were 66: they put on 100 in the next 15 overs, and the winning run was hit off the first over of the last 20 overs. Will had reached 82 and Matt, perched on 98 at the start of what was the last over, needed a boundary but instead got the single to win the match and walk off with an unbeaten 99. An emphatic win by 10 wickets and well done to all the Queries in the side that achieved this.

The one disappointment of the day was that the Secretary and Umpire Barry Aitken forgot to bring his camera to the match!

31st May vs the Old Wellingtonians CC at Wellington College.

The ground looked a picture when the Queries turned up this morning - sunshine, and a clear blue sky. There were familiar faces on the OWs side and a very friendly atmosphere at the pavilion. Queries skipper Hugo Tilney lost the toss and was put in the field and it wasn't long before results were on the board - the 4th over when their opener was caught - and then in the 2 hours before lunch another 6 wickets fell. Stand-in keeper Tom Shaw took three catches behind, and with Vaughn Williams taking 3 wickets (12 - 2 - 53 - 3), Tom Grant taking 3 (11 - 4 - 19 - 3) and Ben Bowers (6 - 1 - 28 - 1) one, the Queries were marching quickly towards an early win. There was a run out wicket after lunch, with Vaughn Williams fielding from his own bowling, before OW, Query and opposition skipper Richard Jelf got his head down and stayed the course for a good 75. He was the last wicket to fall, bowled by Alex Garman. Candidate Josh Ballantine Dykes (7 - 2 - 24 - 1) claimed the penultimate wicket when he found the edge of the bat and Simon Campbell took the second of two fine catches at slip.

Vaughn Williams and Angus Tilney opened for the Queries and set off at a brisk pace. Vaughn holed out at 48 for 1 and Angus was caught soon after for 17. Tom Grant settled in well but got completely undone by a full toss out of the sun which bowled him for 43. Skipper Hugo Tilney added three to the score before be being bowled and that left Josh Ballantine Dykes and Tom Shaw to finish it off. Josh ended unbeaten with an excellent maiden 52 which included 8 boundaries, and Tom scored an unbeaten 42 from just 12 scoring strokes only 3 of which were not boundaries.  The Queries had won by 6 wickets. (See the photos page for pictures from the match).

25th May vs Devizes CC at Devizes

The day before the match Devizes had been short of players and so Queries stepped into the breach. Little did we realise that they - Olie Sloane and James Melhorn - were going to play such a pivotal part in this match. Devizes elected to bat first and their opener and skipper Dan Langan was on his way back to the pavilion in the third over with the score on 4. The opening bowling pair of Geoff Ramsey and Vaughn Williams bowled very tidily, and  when they came off after their first spell after 15 overs the score was 47 for 1. Sam Ramsey found it hard to settle to a length and consequently "got some tap" in his 8  overs for 46, but Matt Pieterse bowled a lot of variation and took 3 for 31 from 8. The game proceeded slowly and despite Alex Garman injecting some pace and Hamish Horton some swing, the Devizes batsmen ground it out for 42 overs to a total of 196 for 8 declared. 5 wickets had fallen to catches, with Alex and Hamish taking one apiece. Vaughn finished with figures of 23 for 2, and Geoff with 28 for 1

The Queries reply started well at 4 an over until Jeff Haywood was caught by James Melhorn at square leg for 27, with the score on 59. Two runs later Hamish Horton was caught for 20. We then had a period of 4 quite quick wickets - Vaughn Williams runout, David Haywood caught, Alex Garman run out and Freddie Coupe caught behind - and the Queries were 97 for 6 with seven of the last 20 overs bowled. Geoff Ramsey and Simon Campbell then got their heads together and began to dominate the bowling for a stand of 45 when Simon was caught behind for 42. We were 142 for 7. Things then got quite tense as Nigel Goodwin tried to put bat to ball, and Geoff was scoring at the other end. Eventually we ran out of time needing 4 off the last ball to win, with Geoff on 35 and Nigel on 13. 194 for 7, with a 50 run stand from the final pair, and the match was drawn.

24th May vs London New Zealand CC at Devizes.

This is always a popular fixture for the Queries, and it stretches back a long way into the Club history. The weather was perfect, perhaps a touch too hot, and Devizes ground looked a picture. The Queries lost the toss and were put in the field with Alex Garman and Piers Foster taking the new ball. Both ended up with figures of 8 overs for 30 runs in this 45 over match but it was Alex who made the break through with a fine caught and bowled effort in the 7th over.  When Ninian MacGregor came on to bowl the batsman's eyes lit up at the sight of these slow looping deliveries but he took 2 wickets in his first over, one in his fourth and went on to achieve 5 for 24 from 8.1 overs, breaking the back of the experienced LNZ CC batting as he went. Ru Bunday bowled very well for his 8 overs, taking 3 for 9, including 2 maidens and after that it was only a matter of time before the Kiwis were all out for 147 without using up their allotted overs. Other Query bowlers were Simon Campbell (3 overs for 27 runs) and Vaughn Williams who bowled 7 very tidy overs for 25 runs.

Matt McCann and Nick Bunday opened the batting against two seasoned bowlers, one of whom bowled some seriously late out-swingers and eventually finished with 2 for 31 from 10 overs. After 4 or 5 catches were dropped, Nick eventually edged one and was out for 9. Ian Perry came and went for 5: Vaughn Williams skyed one for 4: James Melhorn in his first match of the season was out for a duck. Piers Foster executed some delightful drives before he was caught for 19, and others came and went while Matt McCann anchored at the other end. However with a target of just 3 an over it was only a matter of time before we reached the target, and we hastened towards it  with a 4, 6, 4 finish from Alex Garman leaving Matt to carry his bat for an unbeaten 67. Queries won by 3 wickets.

17th May vs Babington House

This match was cancelled due to wet weather.

10th May vs Marlborough CC

This match has been cancelled by Marlborough CC which is unable to raise a side.

7th May vs Monkton Combe 1st XI: match won by 6 wickets.

Last year we lost this match by 10 wickets and this year the School XI skipper was the chap who took us to the cleaners last year! Brian Thompson lost the toss and was put in the field at 2.30pm. Theo Bossom and candidate Rupert Bagnall opened the bowling and constrained the batsmen to just over 3 runs an over for the first 20 overs, in which they lost 2 wickets, one caught behind off Theo and the second a C&B off John Williams. Theo finished with 2 for 24 from 7 overs. Rupert went for just 18 runs from 7 overs. The next 10 overs saw the boys increase their scoring rate marginally to 4 an over, and here they lost their 3rd wicket, bowled by John Williams. They set about Simon Cottle's bowling - he went for 38 in 4 overs - but the rock at the other end, candidate Charlie O'Kelly, plugged away with his spinners conceding 52 runs in 11 overs and being given a lot of respect by the School skipper.

We congratulate Toby Davies for a fine century - he was unbeaten on 102 scoring more than half of the school's total of 184 for 3. Charlie worried him a bit, but in the main he played a flawless innings.

Our openers were Will Hopton and Charlie O'Kelly who scored comfortably at 4 an over until Charlie was trapped lbw in the 9th over with the score on 37. Hamish Horton made his intentions quite clear with a 6 and three 4s from his first 6 scoring strokes. He was eventually caught for a quick-fire  50 from just 15 scoring strokes but crucially had brought the Queries to 130 for 2 with 9 overs of play remaining. Will Hopton provided the mainstay of the batting attack, whilst Phil Payne, Vaughn Williams and Simon Cambell helped him from the other end, and it was a Hopton boundary off the second ball of the last over that secured the victory at 187 for 4 and we had won by 6 wickets. We scored 131runs in the last 20 overs. Lots of credit is due to Will's unbeaten 73 as he anchored one end and provided the platform for the victory.

Well done to the School for a competitive and enjoyable match. Congratulations to Toby Davies for his century, and to bowlers DuBoulay and Madgwick for their fine spells of bowling. Well bowled Query candidates Rupert Bagnall and Charlie O'Kelly - we look forward to them joining the Club, and well batted Will Hopton and Hamish Horton.

26th April vs King's School 1st XI, Bruton: match drawn

The now traditional curtain raiser to the Queries season took place on Sunday 26^th April 2009.  The fixture was given a certain ‘edge’ since the home team was captained by Ru Bunday a member of the club whilst the Queries team was captained by his father!  The pre-match team talk was however rather curtailed with the unfortunate news that Simon Campbell’s car had taken an impromptu trip down an incline into the corner of one of the School boarding houses.  Not a great start to the day.

 The batting performance was suitably ‘early season’.  The hemorrhaging of regular wickets meant that the Queries found it hard to amass many runs.  The largest partnership between Nick Bunday and candidate Stuart Hamilton managed only 42.  As a result the excellent lunch was taken with the score on 98 for 5 – and still Simon’s car was in a most undignified position. 

 Wickets continued to tumble regularly after lunch – poor Simon’s mind was clearly still in the ditch from where his car had just been retrieved.  The last wicket partnership of Brian Thompson and Piers Foster managed a very helpful 31 to give us a reasonable total to bowl at – 176.

 Piers Foster and Tim Law bowled exceptionally well at the start of the King’s innings with Piers ending his 7 over spell with figures of 1 wicket for 10 runs.  Ollie Sloane then placed the school in something of a stranglehold ending his day with figures of 11 overs, 2 wickets for 22 runs.  At 64 for 5, the School was battling hard however they then had a partnership of 64 which threatened to take the game away from the Queries.  However the returning Tim Law broke the partnership and then a sharp run out swung the momentum back to the Queries.  Simon Campbell was summoned to bowl and not for the first time that day did so without the handbrake on and took a wicket as the time began to ebb away.  Time was not the only thing to dribble through the Queries hands – so were the runs: in fact it was getting very close.  With two overs of play left the Queries needed one wicket to win whilst the school needed 16 runs. 

 In the end the Queries could not get the last wicket and the school were 6 runs short – it really could have gone either way.  King’s are thanked for an excellent game and some great hospitality.  Barry Aitken is thanked for umpiring, whilst all those who played (including 4 candidates) are similarly thanked.