Results and achievements to 2008.
Sadly the original score book recording the early years went missing. We do know however that past centurions include Philip Davies, Andrew Brettle, David Reid, Ian Hepburn (108 n o at Fonthill in 1996), Rob Bradley (104 n o v Butterflies in 1997), Alexander Ball, Luke Fenwicke-Clennell (well 95 n o is worth a mention!) and Matt Cooke (a ringer from Gemini!) who racked up169 versus The Hurlingham Club in 2006, the highest known individual Fantasian score.
Simon Maxwell possibly the finest all rounder in the club in the early years (Rob Bradley might have something to say on this one) was another centurion and on one occasion he carried his bat having opened with Adrian Wright at Settrington Hall in Yorkshire in 1988. This was a good result for Simon as he was hard up at the time and Adrian offered him £1 for every over he stayed in after Adrian was out. A £ was worth a bit in those days and it was an all day game!
The key bowlers in the early years included Nick Lunt, Guy Jenkinson (Even Mike Dudley-Jones, a near permanent fixture at keeper stood half way to the boundary for Guy), Phillip Davies, Nigel Peyton, Simon Maxwell, Tom Rowe, Nick and Luke Fenwicke-Clennell, Rob Bradley (6 for 26) versus Butterflies in 1999, Andrew Saunders, Oli Tress and the dead eyed Tim Bidie. The more recent Dorset years featuring more of Tim Bidie and Philip Davies, both Balls – Simon and Alex, the ever reliable Richard Arundell, Andrew Hussey, Jonathan Howard and the tweakers Guy Lintott and Julian Mathews amongst others.
Notable wins included the game against the Canbashers at Ashmore in 1998 when David Reid knocked up 115 n o chasing 241 to win with 1.5 overs to spare. The first win V Hurlingham was in 1987 and definitely down to Mike Dudley-Jones’ well known leadership skills in continually topping up the team with very non vintage port delivered personally on a silver salver. It worked: Maxwell taking 7 wickets and Charles Bromley catching anything and everything that appeared on his radar screen.
Boys cricket, above the age of twelve and sometimes combined with adults/fathers, has featured considerably in the fixture list in Dorset in recent years and has resulted in a number of talented players now playing in the adult fixtures. The names Ball, Ledger x 3, Hope, Irwin, and Hepburn spring to mind as a sample.
At The Hurlingham Club in 2007 The Fantasians won the toss and put Hurlingham in. They batted for 55 overs declaring with 277 for the loss of eight wickets. Andrew Broderick and Charles Stockbridge opened the batting for the Fantasians and 35 overs later at 6:58 pm the Fantasians captain Andrew Bell and David Merrifield returned to the pavilion with 80 and 60 not out respectively to win with only three wickets down. Some run chase!
The clubs highest Known score being at Hurlingham in 2006 where The Fantasians scored 330 for 8 declared. Some economical bowling by John Reid (Son of David playing in the same game), Oli Tress and Joe Lewis keeping the Hurlingham down to 300. Another great win.