Reed XI versus Howard Marshall’s XI, Home on Sunday 6th May 2018.
Commemorating former RCC President, the late-Howard Marshall’s contribution to the Club over the past five decades, a ceremony was held to name the Clubhouse in his honour. Long-standing member and former Chairman, John Heslam paid tribute to Howard by describing how he and other forward-thinking committee members and players of the early 1970s raised funds, purchased land and constructed the original Clubhouse, much of it by their own hands. From this base, the Club had progressed from its humble beginnings in local village cricket to the upper tiers of Hertfordshire Cricket and to double successes in the National Village Cricket Championship by winning the Village Cup twice at Lord’s. In response, Howard’s son, Justin, confirmed that Howard had been immensely proud of the Club and his involvement in its achievements on-and-off the field. A large gathering of past and present players, family and friends witnessed Justin unveil a suitably smart but simple plaque on what will now be known as the Howard Marshall Pavilion.
Earlier during the afternoon, a Reed XI comprising a mixture of players from all senior teams plus colts as young as 12 had scored a respectable 153 for 3 in their 30-over innings. Toby Fynn, 25, Ross Gardner, 26, and Jack Caine, 25, had all been obligatory retired, then Adam Gardner and Matt Bowles were 21 not out and 23 not out respectively at the end. Amongst the assorted bowling skills on display, there was one wicket each for Matt Giblin, James Heslam and Justin Marshall (possibly his first ever)!
The H Marshall XI contained some current and recent Reed players, and in Lawrence Dooley and John Clifton two who had played alongside Howard 30 to 40 years ago. Importantly the team included not only son, Justin, but also his own son, Jake, and Howard’s two grandchildren, Becky and Aaron, the children of Howard’s daughter, Belinda.
Matt Giblin was soon underway retiring at 26 then both Mike Robertson and James Heslam tried for big hits and each succumbed for 24. At 122 for 8, Justin Marshall joined Clifton as they edged closer to the target. Marshall fell to Adam Gardner’s leg-breaks for 13 to be replaced by Jake Marshall who went to 8 not out before Clifton was last out, bowled by Graham Stuart (2 for 24) for a watchful 23. Other wicket-takers were Stuart Smith, Richard Stuart, Neil Haslam, Matt Bowles and Marcus Baker as the Marshall XI fell just 10 runs short.
Rosemary Collins had presented her usual high standard traditional cricket club teas between innings and the evening refreshments included a hog-roast and suitable liquid replenishments.
Thanks go to Richard Robertson, Andrew Emms, Ben Mansfield and Richard Johnson who carried-out the umpiring duties and to Peter Wholley for scoring. Cilla Robertson had coordinated the event and especial appreciation goes to her. Finally, Justin thanked the players for participating and the many ex-players and friends for attending. He judged that his father would have been so pleased to have been there himself to have welcomed everybody with his usual cordial invitation of “Hello Old Boy, can I buy you a drink?” Cheers Howard!
Reed XI won by 10 runs.
Report submitted by PGB.
