Match Reports



Match Reports

29th August 2015

V&A v. The Authors XI

This was the first fixture between V&A and the Authors XI, which is curious given the apparent synergy between the two clubs. The Authors own opening batsman, the lugubrious Anthony McGowan, describes his team as “crammed to the gills with the quite ludicrously posh… the full rage of characters from a 1950s public school story – the hearty, sporty type; the etiolated intellectual; the endearingly modest earl; even an exiled Ruritanian princeling."
4th July 2015

V&A v. Therbertons

The week of Henley Regatta can be a trying one. This is not to take anything away from the Regatta itself, which remains one of the most important events of its type for rowing buffs; rather like the Lord’s Test is for cricketers. The problem lies with the attendees.
16th May 2015

V&A v. National Theatre

It was a textbook day of cricket. The weather was fine throughout, the Stonor valley looked a resplendent study in emerald in the late spring, the very essence of the English countryside; both lunch and tea, prepared by the saintly Megan Ashcroft in spite (or possibly because) of a ten month old daughter, were delicious and the cricket was, for the most part, a tight and good natured contest. Unlike the V&A most of the NTs have a connection to that august institution; however on this occasion late illness to a couple of regulars saw substitutes drafted in from Brighton.  The wicket might, as usual, have benefitted from a bit more rolling and mowing. The crease at one end was marked at such a rakish angle as to cast doubt on the sobriety of its executor. The NT, who won the toss and invited the V&A to bat, took full advantage […]
25th April 2015

V&A v. GT’s

Team selection will be competitive this year as the newfound V&A strength in depth allowed our skipper, Dennis, the luxury of a 14-man squad plus a scorer.
7th June 2014

V&A v. Eratics

The day dawned about as badly as it could for a game of cricket. The rain had begun in the early morning and periodic bursts of torrential downpour followed from about nine o’clock. Nicky Bird, however was made of sterner stuff (well, he isn’t, but as he wasn’t playing he conferred such stuff upon his team mates) and suggested that whilst an eleven o’clock start would be impossible, a game could be played from one o’clock. His meteorological instincts proved spot on and by one, the heavens had relented and the Stonor valley redeemed itself with an afternoon of flawless sunshine. The wicket, whilst soggy, was drying fast. Perfect conditions for a sticky wicket. V&A Captain, Dennis de Caires, won the toss and rather than taking the decision to bowl, took a leaf out of the book of that great allrounder of yore, W.G.Grace, If you win the toss – […]
31st May 2014

V&A v. Hermits

The Hermits, founded some forty years ago in an Islington pub are the V&As longest standing opponents. They are also fed up with losing to us, their last victory being in 2009.
18th May 2013

V&A v. The National Theatre

The annual fixture against The National Theatre is always an enjoyable affair. Their team is full of characters and they play the game in a competitive, but light hearted manner, which usually results in a deal of good natured banter between regularly on both sides. It also gives Adam Jacot the opportunity to go turncoat and play of the others side. This usually has a galvanising effect on Adams erstwhile latent cricketing talent. When playing for the V&A, though never lacking in effort, he is rarely likely to strike fear into the heart of the opposition. Playing against his regular team is quite another matter. Last year he played what is commonly called a blinder: he bowled, he caught, and coming in when the National were in a spot of bother flayed the V&A bowling to all parts, winning the match at a canter. On this occasion, NT regulars, Greg […]