Tim & Andie Oliver Memorial Game 2023

A Century, a 50 and a 4-fer, but the Health falls short

Alrewas CC (273-9) beat Walsall Health CC 121 AO) by 152 runs

After two wins from their first three games of the season, Walsall Health made the short trip to Alrewas to participate in the annual Tim and Andie Oliver Memorial game. After two wins in their first three games of the season, the Health players would have felt in a buoyant mood. Maybe it was the prospect of playing in wall-to-wall sunshine, maybe it was the thought of meeting old friends, but the day promised so much.

A gentleman’s agreement was made that Alrewas would bat first. This was one less thing to worry about for Elf captain Alex Nunns whose record at the toss was 1 from 3 (would have most likely have been 1 from 4). The 40 brought the Health 9 wickets, but more dauntingly at a cost of 273 runs in which there were dropped catches, near misses and players rolling back the years. Before they knew it, the Health began their innings knowing anything was possible.

D. Dunn (20) – After a sterling performance with the ball that brought him figures of 1-34 off 6 (of which he was the only one who didn’t appeal), Dunn set himself for what he hoped would be a long patient innings to give his side a fighting chance of knocking the runs off. After a steady start, just as he was getting into his rhythm, Dan was bowled by Miller. It was later identified that for the third week in a row, Dan suffered from ‘Poor Pre-Match Preparation’. After a strong start to the season, where he has accumulated two 50s, he would be disappointed he didn’t go on and get a big score that has, in the past, cemented his role as ‘Club pro’.  

M. Perager (25) – Once again, a strong performance by Mac behind the stumps stopping everything and anything that came his way. This also included quick reactions behind the stumps that brought a stumping dismissing the Alrewas number 4. This performance behind the stumps carried on when he went out to open (a role he hadn’t experienced in his Elf career before). Like Dan, Mac went with the intention of settling himself at the crease for the long haul. His calm approach was exactly what the Health needed after a flurry of wickets saw him holding the innings together until he was caught off the bowling of Williams for 25, when he tried to go over the top, but didn’t quite catch it. On this performance, maybe Mac would like another opportunity to open the batting if asked.

A. Nunns (21) – After a mixed start to the season ‘Captain Calm’ strolled out to the crease with an air of composure that said everything would be alright. Like both Dan and Mac, Alex, got into his stride and the running between the wickets was constant and anything but nerve jangling. This was up until his number was up as he held out to Burrows on 21 when he was caught by Cousins, once again when it looked as though he would go on and score valuable runs. Once again, Alex showed his importance as the leader of the pack in the way he manoeuvred his troops, especially when it came to the rotation policy. Constantly changing the field to support the bowler and always thinking one step ahead. Once again a great performance that deserved more from the day.

N. Reeves (0) – 100 up! Unfortunately for Nathan, this was just the game number, but it wasn’t all in vain. Throwing himself about in the field, stopping everything that his way with as much effort as either the late Freddie Mercury or Meatloaf, when they reached those unimaginable high notes, took a stunning catch that definitely left its mark. As club stalwart Rich Fell said “I have shared the field with him for 70 of those 100 games and that is the best I have ever seen him field. Well Rich, that performance has become the norm in recent years rather than the exception. Here’s to the next 100 Nathan.

P. Bickerton (0) – If there is one thing that is worse than making a golden duck, it’s getting out on a hat-trick ball. But that is exactly what happened to Paul Bickerton. No sooner had Paul gone in; he was heading back after Burrows – on his hat-trick – steamed in to deliver a soul crushing blow. His pace was just too much for Bickerton and despite his best efforts to remain in the middle as long as time would let him; he was eventually on his way back. His performance in the field was one to be pleased with as he used all parts of his grand frame to stop everything that came his way. A top effort Paul and better luck next time.

D. Preece (7) – When you’re in a crisis, you look to certain people to pull you away from oblivion. One of these is former captain David Preece. Already matching the total number of games he played last year and after bowling at the backend of the Alrewas innings with figures of 0-30 off 4 overs, Dave went out to bat in the unfamiliar middle order position with the intention of halting the flow of wickets and replace them with valuable runs. The early moments seemed as though he eye in quickly, but unfortunately, the stay at the crease was shorter than a scheduled tea interval as after some good communication with his partner at the other end, David misjudged one too many balls as he deflected the ball off his bat and onto his stumps. A really unlucky way to get out. Hopefully, next time, David will get the rub-of-the-green and he will show what a good batsman he is.   

W. Lauchlan (6) – For almost a decade, the Aussies had ‘Mr Cricket’ in Michael Hussey. Well nowadays, in Will Lauchlan, Walsall Health has ‘Mr Wicket’. Every time he takes the field, there is an expectation that if he bowls, a wicket will come his way. Today was no different with figures of 1-43 off 6 overs, his flight and guile bamboozled the batsman and got him his reward as he had Cousins caught on the boundary for 7. Another day, he could have had 2 or three more wickets had catches stuck, but it wasn’t to be. His batting on the day also showed evidence of improving with the concentration of an eagle prior to its impending descent to seize its prey.  His careful prodding to keep the ball out with the odd adventurous foray to the outer-field. Will looked assured in the number 7 spot. Despite his message of foreboding, his grit and determination proved important and will have done his confidence no harm. He ended up fall on 6 when Williams (who finished with superb figures of 4-9 off 5 overs) bowled Will after a short stay of cultured shot making.

D. Stephens (15) – Dave Stephens has always been a dependable cog in the Walsall Health machine, with bowling performances that more often than deserve more rewards than he gets. Well, in this performance he got what he deserved. With figures of 4-43 off 8 overs, the opening bowler was by far the standout bowler for the Health. The only regret he might have had was that he didn’t reach the five wicket haul that his bowling deserved. To add to his bowling performance, Dave added 15 to the total which saw a mixture of power hitting, cultured shots and the odd two-run shots. Well played all round Dave. Well deserved match figures. On this evidence, the next 5-fer isn’t too far away.        

J. Preece (2) –  JP’s recent experiences at Alrewas have not  been as he would have liked, having conceded 50+ over the last two years against this opposition without much reward. But this year, despite ending up with 0-43 off 8 overs, JP – with the exception of the last over – seemed to have more control in his delivery and caused the batsmen some trouble. Another day, he could have had a wicket or two, but this season as a whole, when he has bowled for the Health, he has bowled with the control and consistency that has been lacking for a few years. When he came out to bat replacing Will, he got off the mark quickly and his confidence with bat in hand increased immeasurably once he had got his run. However, his wicket was mindboggling.  The final ball of the over came down, with no sound and no cheer to signal a wicket, the leg stump bail had been dislodged to the confusion of all involved. However, JP had to go, which more confusion on the boundary.

R. Jarrams (0) – It was 50 up for the Health President – unfortunately a fifty that Rick Jarrams was not keen on celebrating too much as he reached his 50^th duck of his Health career.  After not picking up a bat in 12 months, he strolled out to face the bowler, bat in hand and helmet on, ready to commence battle – for all of two balls, before the helmet was removed.  It seemed to have the desired effect as runs started flowing at a constant pace, first of all with DS and latterly with the evergreen John Nichols.  The cameo appearance ended far too prematurely after he was bowled for 0 by the pick of the bowlers Burrows. However, he showed he still has what it takes to throw himself about in the field and make a telling contribution. Great to see you back on the field Rick and hopefully look another appearance this time next year.

John Nichols (0*) – John Nichols prides himself on being out on his own when it comes to dnb’s.  It is the stuff of folk law. It is a record that is unlikely to be beaten for a very long time. Unfortunately he was not able to add to that tally this time. He and Rick closed out the innings scoring a total of 9 runs, not one of them going to either batsman. That must be some sort of a record. However, he didn’t have the best of days with the ball having gone for figures of 1-73 off 8 overs. However, the mid-innings break to get his ice cream, seemed to cool his frustration and when he re-entered the field of play, he was a different man with a different mentality and he got his wicket after he got A . Walker lbw after reached 73. Unlucky John. Better luck next time.

R.Fell (DNB) Rich Fell started the game on the side-lines and finished on the side-lines. By his own admission, he shouldn’t have played yesterday having a full 90 minutes of a Charity Football game barely 24 hours earlier. But it shows the sort of man he is that he wanted to play in a game that was a memorial to two men that have been big characters in his Walsall Health career. Something tells me that would do it again. It was in the middle of the innings that he chased a ball and pulled up in front of the anxious onlookers. Although it was short-lived, it was great to share the field with you once again Trigger.

The Coach couldn’t believe it when we told him we were six down. He resigned with immediate effect. His request was rejected.

All in all the day and game turned out exactly how it should have been. Once again, a wonderful day played in the right spirit that both Tim and Andie Oliver would have approved of. Well done every single person who attended both on and off the field. Already, we can look forward to this fixture next year.       

Looking to make up for an unfortunate defeat last week, Walsall Health returned to home comforts at Carter Park for the first game in their history against Romsley and Hunnington. The opposition might have been a new one for the club but old habits were quick to come back to the surface. Regulars to the Elf and these match reports will know about captain Alex Nunns and his particular knack for losing a coin toss and this weekend was no exception with the Elf on the losing end and asked to field first. There were varying degrees of excitement for an afternoon burning in the summer sun, Jack Lester though was raring to go, so much so an ill timed jump off the pavillion wall left the Elf player winded.

The opening bowlers attempted to replicate Lester’s breathless start with one of their own but ended up frustrated that some fantastic opening bowling didn’t wield more wickets. Stalwarts Dan Armstrong and DS hit a consistent line and length and regularly beat the bat but finished the opening 14 overs with just one wicket for their efforts. Nunns taking a sharp head height catch at first slip of Armstrong, the captain relieved to get hands to this one after a similarly fast moving bowl caught him full on the nose last year.

Romsley worked to consolidate the loss though and found themselves just that 1 wicket down at drinks. Change bowlers Jonty and Josh Butler, as well as some great ground fielding by all the Elf players kept the batsman from cashing in their wickets in hand though and Butler soon had a couple of big wickets in the second half of the innings. An LBW shout where the only question was how close to the middle of the wickets was the ball hitting and the second a fantastic caught and bowled diving low and far to his left hand side, a heavy landing later and the ball was still in his hands and the catch became the first big contender for the Elf’s catch of the season award.

With wickets in hand but overs ticking away, the Romsley batters soon started shooting from the hip, aiming for boundaries and began to get some. Which presented a great opportunity for Lauchlan to come on and try and get a few batsman out who were going for the ropes and he soon managed to grab four wickets. The first out cleaned bowled before Mac behind the stumps earned the bowler a second wicket with another fine piece of glovework bringing a sharp stumping, Mac already on two stumpings for the season and should’ve had a third in this game also. Lauchlan took the next catch himself, his first grab for the Elf after a few tricky, and a few not so tricky, chances over the last 2 seasons. The final wicket of the innings was a superb catch, at cow corner from a cross batted slog, by Jack Lester, plucking a ball hit hard out of the sun.

The late wickets, coupled with strong fielding throughout restricted Romseley to 161-7. The Elf going in for teas (the ones that were remembered) confident that they could chase the figure down with smart batting on an improved wicket and rapid outfield. The confidence was personified by the lower order watching the batting innings in shorts and t shirts and half the batting order (including the captain, pencilled in to bat at 3) having a beer in the sunshine. Well, it is cricket afterall.

Meanwhile Dan’s Dunn and Armstrong walked out to the crease and the got the Elf off to a solid start, Armstrong bringing up his 2,000th run for the club when he was 4*, a fantastic stat for one of highlights of both the Elf’s batting and bowling in the last few years. He was soon out though for 21 and it turned out to be the only blot on the scorecard for the Elf. Dan Dunn soon had his half century, his second of the season in just 3 games and back to back at home, the club pro already looking in ominous form for the team this season. Nunns also helped the Elf to victory with an unbeaten 50 of his own, the pair rotating the strike well and regularly hitting the boundary.

The chase was done in just the 29th over, Dunn finishing on 66* and Nunn’s 60 unbeaten  Honourable mentions must also go out to a few players who were unlucky not to get a bat or bowl but played a big part in the win as part of a slick fielding unit Edmunds and Pickerton. A great win, and brilliant team effort all round by the lads.

With the team now 2 for 2 at home, attention turns to Alrewas away this bank holiday Sunday, always a red letter day in the calendar for both clubs in tribute to Andy and Tim Oliver, two legends of both clubs who are no longer with us. Rather than being a sad day it’s always a lovely celebration and a fantastic day and it would brilliant to see as many people down as possible for a day of cricket, beers, sunshine, good times and hopefully, like last year, an ice cream van.

William Lauchlan

Walsall Health 119-9 off 40 lost.

Driving in past Lotus and Rolls Royce garages, the Walsall Health team knew they were far from Carter Park but still arrived for their first away game, not be rained off this season, against Lapworth in confident mood. Despite the sun being out and the tempreture threatening to be described as ‘short sleeve’ the pitch was still one matching the early season wet and cold, though the outfield was quick and dry. Captain Alex Nunns walked out bullish for the toss and came back sheepish to let the Health know the toss had been lost and they would be batting first. Say what you want about the captain but he’s certinatly not a massive tosser.

The boundaries square of the wicket were a huge carrot for all batsman, one being incredible close in and the other down a slope on a fast outfield but with the pitch still being green and difficult to judge, it was always going to be a tough wicket to get in on. With that in mind the two openers for the Elf, last week’s batting hero Dan Dunn and new Elf opener Tom Bentley began an unenviable task of adapting to the wicket and setting the Elf up with a strong start. Against tough opening bowling the two dug deep against tight bowling but the pressure soon told, with Lapworth having a superb start with their ground fielding Bentley tried to go over the top and was well held to be out for 6. Jack Stenson playing his first game for the season took up the mantle and tried to get the scoreboard moving, bravely advancing down the wicket to the bowlers but with the ball keeping low, even by Stenson’s standards, good timing carried on being elusive.

With the Elf advancing to 47-1 off 12, the batsman looked to be getting to grips with the surface but Lapworth bounced back removing the dangerous Dunn and could’ve had Stenson not long after but put down an easy chance in the deep. Mac came to the wicket to replace Dunn and soon dug in with him including timing a 6 beautifully over the short boundary. Lapworth came back again though and the pitch seemed to become even more unsettled with Stenson getting out for 24, one of the star players for the Elf last season their should be plenty more to come from him this season. This bought captain Alex Nunns to the crease, who was later outed as dropping himself to number 5 in the order to prevent an Elf tradition of middle order collapses. However rather buck the trend he started the collapse himself chipping back to the bowler for 3. Not to be outdone by his captain’s quick dismissal Lauchlan walked out next, in the brink of his own collapse trying to master the grounds electronic scorebard, and promptly walked back after a three ball duck.

Mac was still chipping away at the other end and with help from Rich Fell, another playing thier first game of the season helped lift the Elf to 119-9 off their 40 overs. The half time huddle for the Elf carried the same message as the week before that while the batsman had missed out on a few runs themselves with good bowling backed up strong fielding, the Elf could be confident with defending a total. Bouyed by their one man Western Terrace of Dai Preece (who’s one man Full Monty tribute at the half way point must be in the running for oddest moment of any season) the Elf got to work and the opening pairing, again like the week before got the team off to a great start. Opening bowler DS and Josh Butler had the Lapworth top 4 out for single figures and the Elf could sense blood in the water. DS in particular finally getting his rewards in the wickets column for consistantly putting the ball in all the right areas, the Elf Mainstay finishing with 3-17 off his 8 overs.

With how well the opening Elf bowlers always seem to start it’s probably the hardest job in the team to be first change because the batsman know that they have to catch up and soon batsman Tanveer and the Lapworth captain Turner soon put all the pressure right back on the change bowlers Jonty, Fell and John Preece. Playing a shot a ball and with help of the short boundarys square and massive boundaries down the ground the scoreboard soon began ticking. Soon Tanveer was gone though and the Elf had an end to work with.

The Elf chipped away at the open end but the saying of cricket being an individual team game rang true as the Lapworth team were steered home by Turner almost single handedly, the batsman finishing with a superb 68*, over half of the teams runs. In the end the Elf came up just short against the strength of one batsman having a blinding performance and timing every ball on a tough pitch. A couple of tough chances not taken by the Elf and one batsman ended up being the difference in an exciting contest. Strong contributions came from all bowlers with Fell taking 2 wickets and a wicket a piece for Butler and Jonty.

The two teams play again at Carter Park later in the season and the Elf will be hoping to make their own home advantage count then. Until then, the Elf are back at home this coming Sunday against a new opponent for the club in Romseley and Hunnington and will hope to make it 2 in 2 at home this season and fortunately without an electronic scoreboard in site.

William Lauchlan

Walsall Health Won (134 all out)

On the coronation bank holiday weekend, months of planning, hard work and dedication came together in one glorious outpouring of joy for all who were there, memories made for a lifetime and all who were there will speak of it for years. We are of course talking about the first game of Walsall Health’s 2023 season  (well the third if we are including the first two that were washed out by the rain without a player making it to the ground let alone a bowl being bowled.)

There wasn’t quite a seventy something year gap between fixtures for the Health like their was between coronations but the wait felt that long on some of those long winter nights and two frustrating washed out weekends at the start the season. Fortunatly the weather for the Health’s match against Springhill was more than fit for a King. Their might be a new pair of royals on the throne but it was tried and trusted partneships for the Health that made this game for them. After the winning the toss and electing to bat, Dan’s Armstrong and Dunn made their way to a bowler friendly but drying wicket at Carter Park. Timing the ball was tricky against some tight opening bowling on green deck, and an unforgiving outfield mean’t runs were tough to come by for the pair. Back to back boundaries at the end of the ninth by Armstrong gave the innings a shot in the arm and pushed back against stubborn bowling.

With the pair closing in on a richly deserved 50 partneship Armstrong was bowled for 18 bringing Nunns to the crease who supported Dan Dunn excellently. Dunn’s eye was in after soaking up more early pressure than the outfield had rain the last few weeks and the boundaries were soon flowing for the opener flying past 50 and onto 63 from 75 balls before the Springhill attack bit back and clean bowled him, an excellent innings coming to an end on an afternoon where no other batsman would be make a score over 27.

From 102-1 Dunn’s wicket sparked a royal collapse on Jubilee weekend and quick as flash the Elf were down to 116-9 with ducks club making up for lost time accumulating no less than 4 new recruits for the 2023 season, bad news for the Reeves, Lester, Perager and Butler (who was particularly unlucky after a superb diving catch in the field. ) There was last wicket resistance from Dave Stephens and JP before a questionable call, and questionable agreement, for another run resulted in a run out, the Elf all out for a score of 135. Not quite where the Elf would’ve wanted to be in an ideal world but every run would prove valuable on a very tricky deck.

All had to go right for the Elf as they returned to the field to bowl and it was another strong opening partneship, this time from the bowlers Stephens and Armstrong who kept the scorers job simple and took regular wickets to always keep one end open. Fourteen overs from the pair bought seven maidens and the remaining seven overs only going for a run each, a superb effort to make 135 look lightyears away for the visiting side. Stephens finished his eight overs with a wicket, while Armstrong’s six overs bought two and set the mood for the rest of the innings.

A.Riley was sticking it out well for the visitors but after tearing a muscle on the first run of their innings and seemed to have found some support when Sufyaan arrived to the wicket at seven and started giving some back the Health bowlers in the middle overs. Fantastic fielding throughout the innings though from all in the Health lineup culminated in Sufyaan being run out after great work from D.Preece in the field and a sharp take and bail crashing from wicketkeeper Mac.

With wickets falling and the target getting further and further away, bad balls needed to be put away and even some good ones. Almost faultless spells by another partnership, the spin kings of JB and Josh Butler made sure there was hardly a bad ball to be punished, both bowlers kept tight lines and lengths, drawing panicked shots from batsmen in need of runs. Buttler finishing with 2 wickets and just 14 runs conceaded while JP finished with 4 wickets for 26 and potentially becoming the first Elf player in history to bowl a no ball on a hattrick delivery.

If JP’s hattrick ball was an anticlimax, his last ball surely wasn’t, crowning the innings and the game with a superb ball clean bowling the stubborn Riley for 27 and Springhill were all out for 100, a 35 run win for the Elf and richly deserved for some yard hards in the field by all. Carter Park may not quite be Buckingham Palace but the Elf will want to turn it into a fortress going into what plans to be an exciting 2023 season for the club. The next game for the Elf is away at Lapworth and we promise no more royal puns. 

William Lauchlan