First XI away at Dumbleton

Sometimes you’ve just got to hold your hand up and say the opposition were too good. Saturday was one of those days and Apperley weren’t helped with the addition of captain Dave Means to the physio table, meaning both of our opening bowlers were unavailable.

Dumbleton won the toss and batted and it was really a one man show as the classy Tom Boorman scored 176 from 129 balls with Dumbleton closing on 322-7 from their 50 overs. The wickets were picked up by Sam Fitzmaurice (2-32), Jimmy Williams (2-33), Mike Ahearne (1-31), Matthew Long (1-54) and Elliot Hayward (1-63).

The less said about the second innings the better. Apperley again weren’t helped by injury as Adi Mayes picked up a knock in the field meaning he couldn’t bat. And neither could Ahearne. So with effectively nine batsmen it was nine that was the top score – Hayward not out at the end. Apperley were all out for 32, losing by 290 runs. But there was happier news elsewhere… 👇

Second XI at home to Haresfield Gladiators

Apperley won the toss and chose to bowl on a pitch which still had some moisture. The first ball of the day was bowled in memory of Shane Warne, as clubs up and down the country were doing. Harry Smith attempted to replicate Warne’s Ball of the Century from 29 years earlier.

Once the real action got underway it was Smith who took the first wicket as he opened the bowling from the Church End.

At the Chapel End Nathan Romeo proved impossible to get away for the Haresfield batsmen. He took advantage of the overhead conditions, swinging the ball right to left and landing in good areas throughout his spell of 3-11 in 8 overs.

His first wicket was that of Ali Smith, bowled for three. His second wicket was the third Smith to fall, Ben was caught at slip by Tom Radcliffe. The third was another one clean bowled as Apperley reduced The Gladiators to 29-4 in 10 overs.

Once Romeo had completed his spell it was Marcus Ridal who took over and he had equally impressive figures of 3-14 from 8 overs.

First he took out the captain for 16. The very next ball he got another, also bowled. Everyone crowded the bat for the hattrick ball but it wasn’t to be with the Andy Malpas ably defending the ball. A few overs later Ridal did get Malpas though, caught again by Radcliffe at slip.

Blessed with a lot of bowlers, captain Dave Steinham (who despite bowling well himself in previous weeks had left himself out of the attack) turned to Radcliffe to bowl one over, the penultimate one of the innings.

Radcliffe not being one to pass up an opportunity took two wickets in his one over to go with his two catches. His first ball yielded Apperley’s eighth wicket while his second was the team’s last as Haresfield finished their overs on 131-9.

Not content with his two wickets and two catches, Apperley youth coach Radcliffe then went out and carried his bat for 65* from 72 balls as Apperley cruised to an eight wicket victory. Steinham scored 25 having dropped himself down to number three and it was Tom Hayward who scored the winning runs finishing on 33* from 32 balls.

Apperley took 20 points in what was their fourth successive league victory and they are now well placed in second position, sandwiched in between Quedgeley & Hardwicke and Parkend. All three clubs are going well but only two can promote, so all eyes will be on Apperley as they play away at Chedworth next week.

Jubilee Celebrations

Despite a dodgy forecast the rain held back for most of the day, allowing the village to celebrate in style. With various age categories for the bake competition the adult prize went to Fran Tyler, while Ivan Gazzard shocked everyone in attendance by scooping second. Emily Tibbles and Rona Mackenzie were first and second in the secondary school group. Molly Heard and Sophie Ahearne were first and second in the primary school category and Wilfred Smith and Kit Tyler in pre-school category.

It was Molly’s dad, (no longer Tirley) Tim Heard, who won the welly wanging with a huge throw that was surely wind-assisted.

Then it was another Heard, Molly’s brother Austin this time with egg throwing partner Nate Stacey-Barlow who shared the egg catching prize with another pair. To the cheers of ’Dan, Sam, Dan Sam’ it was Hall and Attard who shared that prize with them.

Mum Cath managed to make it a Heard clean sweep as she won killer skittles late on. There was some early controversy as Cath had given herself first go at all nine skittles having organised the competition, but there could be no complaints by the end as not once, not twice, but three times she took out the one remaining skittle to grab the prize!

There was some great dressing up. Notably Vicky ’Queen Bee’ Pearce and Meghan Ahearne who shared the prize for best dressed Queen.

It was a day of dogs, drinks and dancing, and of balls, burgers and bouncing, but the moment of the day was the unveiling of a tree in honour of Clive Hale who himself turned 70 on the Jubilee weekend! He planted the tree and then unveiled a plaque which had been made specially. Until the unveiling itself Clive had been unaware that there was going to be any such marking of the occasion. His son Matt and grandson Freddy were in attendance so it made for a very special moment.

Clive has asked to pass his heartfelt thanks on to everyone for their generosity and kindness.