'The Good, the bad and the Ugly' - the story of the staff v students annual cricket matches

21 July 2014

The Good - Staff vs MSc students

The time 5:15pm, the rain now just a drizzle, black skies above. But the staff through the constant encouragement of Marek Korczynski were still believing – with beating hearts and probably high blood pressure(!) - could they win the game? In stepped our new bowler into the battle - Mike Byrne - full of the knowledge that probably the game depended on his skills to bowl out that last batsman. Yes, it was getting to ‘squeak...y bum time’. The following was showing on the scoreboard:
Staff: all-out 114. Students: 107, 3 overs remaining but with only their last batsmen.

Could the staff do the impossible?

Mike - first ball - a wide. One run to the students – 108.
Mike - second ball - a wide. Another run to the students – 109.
Mike - third ball - no run...phew (!) ...still 109 to the students.
Mike - fourth ball - a cracking shot by the student batsman for 4...now 113 to the students.

Quietness fell across the now-tired staff, yet in the background rose the voice of hope from Marek - “Come on we can do this…"

Mike - fifth ball - he steps up, wiping the sweat from his forehead, hoping this could be the one bowl that would be enshrined in Nottingham University Business School history.

But wait....he balls a perfect outswinger…the batsman edges the ball...the ball flies into the air...the Gully (on one knee) holds out his cupped hands - and yes - catches the ball! Tears of joy erupt as Simper actually catches one ball – the staff win – they go wild,…

What a match!

PS: special mentions also for Man of the Match Steve Wilcoxson (2 wickets), Rob Webb (2 wickets), Rob Caruana and Patrick Roberts (a wicket each on their debuts), Mike Byrne (16 runs), Dave Paton and Ioan Reed-Aspley (20 runs each).

The Bad - Staff vs Undergraduates

At least one classic English tradition is alive and well: huddling together under umbrellas eating sandwiches in the pouring rain. Fortunately the sun shone either of the tea-break, allowing the game to be completed.

Student captain, Tom Rowland, won the toss and elected to bat. 7 overs and 76 runs later, it was looking like an inspired decision. However, amongst the run flurry, the staff had been chipping away at the wickets and this was to pay dividends in the later stages. Everyone bowled well: 2 wickets for both Tim Baily and debutant Ioan Reed-Aspley whilst Chris O’Brien, Rob Webb (also on his debut), Mike Byrne, Steve Wilcoxson and Dave Paton got one each. Mention must also be made of some outstanding fielding, led by Malay behind the stumps and including catches by Chris, Dave and Mike.

The students committed the cardinal sin of not using up all their overs and were eventually bowled out for 147 in just 18 overs. No such problem for the staff who batted the full 20 overs with wickets to spare. The only problem was that, as scorer Jackie Andrews confirmed, we had only managed 72 runs in the meantime. Things were not helped by somewhat eccentric running between the wickets, but respectability was achieved due to an impressive knock from Rob Webb (21 not out and clear man of the match) as well as useful contributions from Gerard Wilcoxson, James Jarrett, Malay, Dave and Steve Wilcoxson. The latter held up one end superbly to deny the students the satisfaction of bowling us out.

There were murmurings from some staff about the eligibility criteria for the student team (“So let’s get this right: you played cricket for Hertfordshire but you once had a drink with someone whose brother shared a house with a Business School student? You’re in the team”) but in truth the students deservedly retained the cup which was presented to Tom by Jackie. They outplayed us in all areas and maintained the ‘spirit of cricket’ throughout. Well done Tom and the students!

For the staff, the excellent performance of the newcomers such as Ioan and Rob gives cause for optimism. Thanks for this are no doubt due to our HR department for their farsighted approach in signing off on the School’s policy that proficiency with the leather and willow should be an “essential criteria” at shortlisting. Kathleen Visser for arranging the teas and being on hand to keep us in order.

The Ugly - Staff vs MBA students

A daunting prospect lay ahead for the staff team, convinced as they were that a ritual hunmiliation was in store, particularly after observing the MBA students dispatch the ball with consumate ease to all corners of the Grove Farm playing fields during the pre-match warm up. However, perceptions can at times deceive and this was seemingly one of those occassions.....

The staff went in to bat first and set a decent but attainable total of 105 runs. Fearing the worst, the staff team took to the field after the tea break anticipating the confident MBA students to quickly 'knock off' a rather average total. However, what followed will live long in Business School cricketing folklore as the students disintegrated in the face of a barrage of sustained accurate bowling from Rob Cluley, Adrian Mateo and Tim Bailey who between them took 9 wickets in the first 6 overs, reducing the students to ignominy and incredulity. Needless to say, the MBA students have subsequently challenged the staff in an attempt to regain their bruised egos and restore their fragile dignity!