The Falkland Islands

What is arguably the world's most southerly cricket club, (with due respect to Kim Wellens' excellent email in the last edition) the Stanley CC, came out of its 12 month hiberation for annual 'South Atlantic Ashes' match in the Falkland Islands.

Each year teams representing the British territory's civilians play a side comprising members of Her Majesty's forces stationed to prevent Argentina fulfilling its claim on the normally wind-swept islands.

There are varying reports on the seriousness of the match with Governor's XI captain, Steve Tydsley, saying "we take it very seriously", while another Stanley resident, Tony Burnett said "it is just an excuse to get to have a beer."

While Tydsley has village cricket experience back home, in the past First Class players have been flown in from the United Kingdom.

The setting is the Mt.Pleasant Airfield Oval, situated at a military base about 30 miles outside the Falklands' capital, Port Stanley. Matches are played on a synthetic wicket laid in 1985.

The status of the match as an event among the local population is emphasised by His Excellency, Governor Donald Lamont who watched this year's version, and came on to bowl in the last few overs.

The match is normally cricket's only appearance in the Falklands, but the Tydsley is keen to see the Stanley Cricket Club become more active. "We also would love to receive visiting teams."

The following is a combination of an article which appeared in the Falkland Islands' newspaper, Penguin News, and a match report fro the social secretary of the Stanley Cricket Club.

The Governor's XI defeated the Commander of the British Forces' XI by 82 runs in the annual fixture at the Mt.Pleasant Airforce Oval on January 3.

Governor's XI captain, Steve Tydsley won the toss and elected to bat.

The decision was quickly vindicated when the opening pair of Mike Bingham and Hugh Ferguson struck 29 and 16 respectively.

The middle order continued the good batting when Richard Baker made a splendid 33 before retiring under the rule which allows just one more scoring shot past 29 runs (the batsman can return once the side's other batsmen have been dismissed). He combined with Gaz Wildsmith, Roger Diggle and Derek Reeves to accelerate the scoring rate to more than six runs an over.

Baker's departure then saw Anton Philpott assume Baker's role, first with Richard Marlor and Kevin Clapp. Philpott and Derek Reeves both reached 30 before adhering to the retirement rule.

When Philpott was bowled, Chris Burt entered the cauldron, and helped the Governor's X1 to 189, the highest score ever in the history of the event. Locals predict it will be several years before that record is bettered. He and Clapp remained undefeated.

The pick of the CBF XI attack was Lagand, snaring 3-28.

Any chance of a close result was snuffed when the CBF's XI crashed to 6-17 after 10 overs before 'recovering' to 107. Tyldesley's medium fast seamers destroyed the Servicemen's batting, nabbing a hat-trick in a five wicket haul. The pair were a torrid combination, with Marlar's pace difficult to handle. Clapp also took three wickets, while Marlar and Philpott were also successful with one each.

The bowlers was supported by excellent fielding, with Gaz Wildsmith taking two outstanding slip catches and Clapp diving to his left at silly mid on to take a spectacular catch. Tyldesley's astute field placings were another contributing factor.

The CBF's best batsmen were Hodgson (33) and Lagand (34) who retired on scoring 30 and then returned once all other batsmen had been dismissed.

So, the 'Civvies' won by 82 runs, 189 to 107.

Should the Governor's XI achieve a hat-trick of wins next year, a new trophy will be need to be made. Locals say this will be of some relief as the present trophy depicting a phoenix breaking from its egg is not the most tasteful trophy.