History of Bucks CCC

whilst the most significant newcomer was Malcolm Roberts, the man who was destined to re-write the county’s batting records. A London policeman who was able to fill his summers on the cricket field, he played in the second match and was a regular thereafter, hitting five fifties. Curiously, for a team that ended the season as divisional winners, no-one hit a championship century, though Roberts made an undefeated 132 in the one-day final against Eastern Division winners Cambridgeshire at Worcester. This innings took Bucks to 235 for five in their 55 overs, a score which looked impregnable after Edwards, with three for 20 from his eleven overs, and Booden had contained the early batsmen. However, the match took a dramatic turn as Julian Benson, later to enjoy brief success with Leicestershire, took command, scoring 121 before he was eighth out, bowled by Burrow with the first ball of the 52 nd over, at 216. The ninth wicket fell at the same score, but Cambridgeshire were still not done and, as Gary Black prepared to bowl the final over in gathering gloom, only four were required. A single off the first delivery was followed by three dot balls then another single. Needing two from the last ball, the batsman could only drive to wide mid on, where Malcolm Roberts fielded and raced to the stumps to prevent a second run. The scores were tied, but having lost fewer wickets Bucks were champions for a record-breaking ninth time. It could have been an even more stunning first year for Neil Hames had Bucks not faltered after reaching the last four in the knockout competition. Wins against Shropshire and Berkshire brought a semi-final against Cheshire at Marlow, where Bucks were unable to defend a total of 184 on a difficult pitch, eventually losing by two wickets. It was not all rejoicing as the season came to a close. Just five days after the triumph at Worcester came the death of the ebullient David Janes. Always full of cheery banter in the dressing room, he died at the sadly early age of 43. Restrictions on the M25 players The following year was markedly less successful. There was a swift exit from the NatWest Trophy at the hands of Kent, and a first round defeat by Hertfordshire in the knockout competition. Only Hames was able to play in every championship match, though Booden, Butler and Goldsmith missed only one each. Crucially, there was no Hayward, Edwards sustained a knee injury and was ruled out for the season, while Roberts was able to play only four times and Burrow and Harwood in just five of the matches. Atkins was tasting success with Surrey – a century on first-class debut against Cambridge University and 99 in his first championship match - whilst Lyon, in his last season, was miserably ineffective in the six matches in which he played. So the county recorded only one win and fell to eighth place in the table, above only Wales and Cornwall. The availability problems at least opened doors for some locally nurtured talent. Trevor Butler enjoyed an extended run as an opener and acquitted himself well, Tim Scriven, once of the Royal Grammar School, who had had three years on the staff with Northants, showed promise as a left-arm spinner, taking 26 wickets, opportunities were given to Richard Tredwell, an off spinner from the north of the county, and there was a chance to see the forceful batting and brilliant fielding of Bruce Percy, a former YA captain. Colin Tungate, keeping wicket in the only match that Goldsmith missed, set a county record with seven catches in an innings against Wales MC – all off Booden en route to his career-best analysis. In January 1989, a Bucks team embarked on its first winter tour. Seventeen players, with Stuart York as manager, played 15 limited overs matches in Australia, winning 95 Restrictions on the M25 players