Season Summary In our first ever season in division 1 of the Business House League we finished with 3 defeats and 3 wins, quite a respectable record given the strength of the 3 teams that beat us. In fact there was a clear divide between the top 3 sides in the division and the bottom 4. For the second year running we were knocked out of the cup by the Globe in the semi final. Awards for 2005 were: Players' Player of the Year - Bob Newton Best Batting - Graeme Newton (average 29.5) Best Bowling - Atty Du Plessis (11 wickets) Most Memorable Moment - Atty's hat-trich against Robert Sayle Best catch - not awarded.

Back row (left to right): Graeme Newton, Bob Newton, Jamie Gawthrop, Mark Barton, Buster Harradine. Middle row: Gerhard, Alex Gray Front row: Jez Major, Bruce Hutchison, Martin Charlesworth, Cherie Aronson

Cambridge Business House League Division 1 - Final League Table

Batting Averages

(Min 3 innings)

Bowling Averages

(Min 8 overs)

4th August - All Saints (Parkers Piece) (13 over game)

Railway Vue 113 (Sandeep 54, Martin 37) (12 overs)
All Saints 94-6 (Bob Newton 3-17)

Despite an almighty collapse from 94-2 to 113 all out, the Vue managed to win this shortened game quite comfortably with tight bowling in the second innings. After Ryan was out for a duck, Sandeep and Martin got into the groove and smashed 83 in 6.3 overs before Sandeep was caught at deep square leg going for a 3rd successive six. It was downhill after that though, after Martin was caught in the deep in the next over the following over saw 4 wickets for Blencowe as the batsmen committed hara-kiri. The tail quickly folded and the innings was over in just 12 overs.

A good opening spell of 1-26 in 4 overs from Ryan Carey and 1-8 in 2 from Bob restricted the All Saints early scoring and despite a late acceleration they could not threaten the total. Mark bowled a tidy spell of 1-24 off 4, Bob picked up 2 further wickets and Jamie took a good catch on the run as the Vue finished the seaon with a satisfying victory.

26th July - Robert Sayle (Friendly) (Emmanuel College)

Railway Vue 116 (Jamie Gawthrop 31, Jez Major 24)
Robert Sayle 117-6 (Atty Du Plessis 5-23)

After a promising start from Jamie the Vue's re-arranged batting order had a shocking collapse against Sayle's young leg spinner and were dismissed for just 116. Jamie made a career best 31 and Jez made a quick 24 but the rest was poor as Holder bamboozled the batsmen to take 5 for 7! The Vue players took turns in fielding for the opposition as they only managed to bring 8 players.

Sayle's got a flying start with Phil Orvis and Dickinson reaching 75 before Atty made the breakthrough. Martin picked up Phil for his first wicket of the season but Sayle's levelled the scores with just 3 wickets down but just 4 in hand, then Atty dramatically struck with a hat-trick, suspected to be the first in Railway Vue history! Unfortunately Sayle's managed a single off the next over to clinch the game.

20th July - The Globe (Cup Semi-final) (Girton Rec)

Railway Vue 134-4 (Jez 47)
Globe 140-0

For the second year running the Globe denied us a place in the final with a heavy semi final defeat. After unusually being put into the bat the Vue made a respectable 134 with Jez again the top scorer with another 47, this time not out. Dave Norman made 26 opening with Bob who made 16 but the early scoring was slow against the pacey Peterson - the score was just 48 after 8 overs. The scoring rate improved as Jez got going with help from Chris De Vaal (13) but 134 was unlikely to be enough.

And so it proved as Warburton and Sabey knocked off the runs with ease in just over 12 overs.

19th July - Little Shelford (Little Shelford)

Railway Vue 169-4 (Jez 47, Bruce 40, Bob 38 not out)
Little Shelford 128 all out, 13.5 overs (Atty 4-44)

A top batting effort put the Vue on top in this game and crucial early wickets in the 2nd innings made the game safe. Jez led the way, getting off the mark with a sweet leg side six. He continued scoring quickly and reached 47 in next to no time before getting bowled for 47 with the score on 68. Martin missed out, dismissed LBW for 4, but Bruce continued where Jez left off and smashed a quick 40 like the Bruce of old. Gareth was strangely out for a golden duck but Bob (38*) was still there holding things together and finished the innings strongly with Graeme.

Shelford came out strongly with Harrod showing his intent hitting Atty for 6 off the 2nd ball of the innings. But facing a large total the batsmen played a few too many shots and Atty took all of the top 4 batsmen with tight bowling. Mark and Graeme kept up the pressure and Jamie got another smart run out with a direct hit for the second game running. Wickets continued to fall regularly and Little Shelford were dismissed inside 14 overs.

11th July - Champ (Fitzwilliam)

Railway Vue 151-5 (Sandeep 53, Martin 30, Jez 28)
Champ 104-5 (Atty 2-7)

This game turned out to be an easy victory in this good humoured friendly game on a glorious evening at Fitz. After finally winning a toss the Vue batted and got a great start with debutant Sandeep and Jamie putting on 67 for the first wicket before Jamie was out for 12. Perhaps the various wigs, pigs and wings being worn by the home side were getting in their eyes. Sandeep went on to make a stylish 53. Martin came in and took advantage of the friendly bowling for a rapid 30 before Jez gave the innings a strong finish with 28 but was run out on the final ball as the Vue closed on 151-5.

The Champ innings never really took off and they meandered along to 104-5 with a motley assortment of bowlers getting a rare over or two. Atty had the best figures of 2-7 off 3 overs and Bruce and Mark took a wicket each. The highlight of the innings was a run out by Jamie with a direct hit.

21st June - NCI (Parker's Piece)

NCI 116-6 (Mark Barton 2-30)
Railway Vue 117-4 (Gareth Stapp 45 not out, Graeme Newton 32)

Finally a competitive game of cricket and finally a victory for the Vue after 3 heavy defeats. A good opening spell from the South African duo of Chris de Vall and Atty Du Plessis restricted NCI to a slow start as they reached 40 off the first 7 overs. They accelerated a little later on to reach 116-6, Mark being the only bowler to pick up 2 wickets, both being smart stumpings by Gareth.

The Vue made a steady enough start reaching 45-2 after 7, after Jon Amphlett was out for 2 and Steve McHuch on debut holed out for 13. Graeme made a steady 32 but after a couple of quiet overs the Vue still required 33 to win off the last 3. But the man in form, Gareth (45 not out), was at the crease and with support from Jez (11 not out) they smashed 19 off the 13th over and 14 in the 14th gave the Vue a fairly comfortable run chase victory with an over to spare.

14th June - The Globe (Home)

Globe 208-3 (Jez Major 2-42)
Railway Vue 134-6 (Gareth Stapp 66)

The Vue's bowling attack was taken to the cleaners by the Globe's rampant batsmen on a glorious evening at Emmanuel college. After winning the toss and batting the Globe's openers made the most of excellent batting conditions by both getting half centuries; Aussie Warburton was particularly impressive, at one stage hitting 3 consecutive sixes off Bob. The fielding was also disappointing with several easy chances being dropped, although after dropping a dolly Bruce made amends by clinging onto a scorcher in the covers. All the bowlers went for over 12 an over and the Vue were just glad to finally get off the pitch as the Globe finished on 208-3.

The Vue reply soon fell behind the required rate as just 7 come off the first 3 overs, Jez once again failing to score. Gareth provided the highlight of the inning making a classy 66 at number 3, with 30 coming in one particularly productive over against the young spinner. Most of the support was provided by Bob (19) and Gerry Meyer with a nice 31 on debut. As the game petered out 3 wickets fell in the last 3 overs and the Vue staggered to 134-6 and another hammering went into the history books.

Cheers to Jamie G for the photos of the game

Jez misses

Gareth's classic off-drive

Greame has a big swing

Bruce fends

Gerry glances one

7th June - Spread Eagle Away

Spread Eagle 174-4 (Gerhard van Schalkwyk 3-22)
Railway Vue 152-8 (Gerhard van Schalkwyk 74)

Despite a stunning 74 from Gerhard the Vue had given themselves too much to do after a disappointing bowling and fielding display. Spread raced to 56-1 in the first 4 overs but good bowling from Gerhard and Bob in his first 3 overs slowed the run rate slightly until after 13 overs they reached 126. But the numbers 5 & 6 really got stuck into the last 2 overs from Gareth and Bob and plundered 48 more runs to take the total to a daunting 174-4.

After Bob fell early Gerhard came in and got the run rate going upwards with help from Gareth (18) before the latter was bowled. Bruce was out for a 2nd ball duck and Martin could only manage 10 before both were bowled by G Harding who was getting good swing. Jez only made 4 but supported Gerhard in a partnership of 42 for the 5th wicket as Gerhard really started hitting out and making mincemeat of the bowlers all the other bats struggled against. But sadly just as thoughts of a repeat of his ton at Ridgeons last year came to mind, Gerhard nicked a wide one to the weeper and the game was effectively over. Nicky was totally defeated by a quick straight ball for a golden duck but Graeme (17 not out) and Jamie (10 not out) managed to see out the remaining time and push the score up to a decent 152-8.

31st May - C.U.P Home

CUP 161-1 (Daynes 57 n.o., Pryor 51 n.o)
Railway Vue 110-7 (Bruce Hutchison 31, Graeme Newton 25 not out)

The season finally got underway at the third attempt with a comprehensive defeat against a high quality CUP side. Upon winning the toss Martin unusually decided to bowl first, a decision he soon regretted as CUP's batsmen looked comfortable against all the Vue's bowlers and placed the ball into the gaps no matter where the fielders were placed. The only success for the bowlers was for Bob who had Lemmon stumped by Gareth making an impressive debut behind the stumps. The memorable moment of the innings was when Nicky was hit on the face by a powerful square cut which he failed to stop with his hands. Fortunately the extra padding in those cheeks protected him and he was able to play on.

The Vue's reply started badly as Jez was run out by some good fielding and Martin hit his first ball straight to point; the Vue were 7-2. Bob stuck around for a dogged 20 but Gareth (4) and Baggers (0) also failed to make an impression. Finally Bruce (31), Graeme (25 n.o) and Nicky (11) were able to push the score towards respectability, but the CUP total was never even threatened which was disappointing.

2005 Fixtures

All fixtures are in Division 1 of the Cambridge Business House League unless stated otherwise. Home games played at Emmanuel College sports ground on Wilberforce Road.