5 Questions with... Matthew Reeve
Matty is a true ‘lifer’ at Acton. Having been around the club since he was born, Matty has gone on to represent and score runs for all four Acton XI’s and develop into a key performer at the top of the 1st XI batting line up. Already with more than 175 1st XI league performances to his name, he is no doubt on track to become one of Acton’s most capped 1st XI players of all time, perhaps even going past his dad and club Chairman, John.
Here are his five questions…
As someone who has grown up around the club, what do you think makes Acton so special?
The club’s unique diversity of character; we’ve got a club membership of some fantastically individual and wonderful people. It is a pleasure to be part of a community with so many different people with varying values, beliefs and opinions that all come together at the end of the day to play some bat and ball.
#F*#ckMattysPoliticsgroup.
Your ton at number eight to win a run chase for the 1st XI at Highgate in 2011 is remembers as one of the best innings in Acton’s recent history. What do you remember about that day?
Who would believe I’d still be dining out on a 100 I scored almost 10 years ago? (Probably a few people actually…).
But OK, if I must...
I don’t remember much from the start of the game to be honest, other than taking an outrageous legside catch standing up to Jambo to dismiss their overseas batsman. I hold on to that memory dearly now after someone slipped MM’s gloves into my bag for the final league game of last year, when I dropped 2 and missed 3 stumpings, thinking I could relive the glory days.
All jokes aside, I’m not going to turn down the opportunity to talk everyone through the innings SO… I went out to bat with Jambo at 47-6 chasing 226, unfortunately Jambo was dismissed soon after and from what I know, threw the towel in on captaincy on the walk back, which was obviously extremely long (knowing how enormous Highgate’s boundaries are). So now I’ve set the scene the boundaries are huge, Ali Ahmed fearlessly strolled in and hit a few 6’s and 4’s, defying the instructions of the hierarchy to block out for the draw. We were set to go all the way but Ali skied one down to the mid-on boundary to be caught. It was game over at 116-8, I was 29* after just hitting 3 consecutive 6’s, Josh Burrows came in and cover drove us to 180-9, thus bringing in the one and only John Reeve AKA Dad. At this point, provided John didn’t get out, we were going to win the game. Highgate were totally demoralised. John kept it in the balance with some suspect running but needing 2 to win, I was on strike and hit a 4 through point and the game was done. That was the first and last time I’ll ever see the ball so well. I think I even got a tap on the back from Keith Hunt that day.
It was obviously a freak day as whilst this was happening, Wurz was also scoring 100 for the 2nd XI against Hampstead!
Other than that ton, what is your fondest Acton memory?
There’s quite a few – most of which have nothing to do with cricket! For everyone who can remember the walkabout, those seasons were just a lot of fun and I have some great memories; George Murphy mouthing the words to Wonderwall to the waitress at 2am and Adam Forsdike doing a 3 song set in front of 100 people each week.
But my fondest memory is being a part of the game where the 1st XI got promoted to the premier league in the 2009 season, scoring 46 (annoyingly) and being able to contribute to the game whilst playing with some Acton legends, it was a real pleasure and something I’ll always remember.
Who is the best player you’ve played with or against?
This is an extremely hard question, I’ve been fortunate enough to play with and against some fantastic players. Glenn Phillips was a different gear to what a lot of us had seen before in league cricket, then Jalpesh Vijay for Crouch End the year before last scored one of the most dismissive 100’s I’ve seen. Of course, lest we forget our own superstars the likes of Bharat Bhushan when arriving at Acton swung the ball both ways at a fair lick, kicking off the sight screen and could certainly hit a ball! And, of course, there’s only one Yogi Mehmood!
However, It’s got to be Madu with some of the best batting and fielding performances I’ve ever seen in amateur cricket. Taking Paul Weekes apart at Hornsey was a masterclass of silencing a man’s ego, that was unfortunately reinstated by 10 grown men later that day singing weekesy is our king. (shrug) Think one of the umpires even joined in. https://actoncc.play-cricket.com/website/results/2521630
What is your all time Acton XI?
Adam Forsdike – I love batting and playing cricket with Ads, it’s always a pleasure. His friendliness with the opposition creeps me out occasionally but wouldn’t have it any other way.
Madu – As above.
Sahil Kher – Arguably the best addition to the club we’ve had after Mitch Hand, also came a close 2nd in my best player - one of the best bat’s and a pair of hands every bowler dreams of. Hasn’t made it in as captain because of several NB’s for not having enough players in the ring, something that wouldn’t happen under AB’s watch.
Yogi Mehmood – Genius with the bat and one of my favourite people to play cricket with! No1 is Yogi Mehmood, No 2… and so on.
Jav Sohota – spent my early years playing cricket with Jav, absolute legend and gets an honorary batting spot in my side.
James Hunt – Pack Leader, makes the team all day. Brilliant Cricketer and sets the standards on and off the field. Can rely on Jambo to take the reins when you’ve got to put yourself in a catching position because your teammates are letting you down.
Alex Manning (Wk) – My mate Manning, a household name and would be first on my team sheet every week. Wouldn’t be the same, if the changing room didn’t include; a head duffel, England Towel and the world’s worst smelling wicket keeping inners.
Scott Kojak – Stroppy making it in at 8, a great mate, more a member of the bowling union on the day, holding AB’s hand doing laps but a must have in the side.
James Fell – James has gone from taking games off to eat strawberries with his girlfriend to retirement to rekindle his love for the game. A sensitive soul our James but Definitely the bowler I want in my team every week so we can hear about the quizzing world and what animal weighs more? Probably deserves a higher batting spot but …
Alex Brennan © - AB, Wazza, Heston, Brenners – Prolific Wicket taker, huge competitor and comes into my team as captain. “it’s only 2 positions”. Ruthless and someone you want on your side when the pressure’s on.
John Reeve – As hard as it may be sometimes, who can ignore how fortunate it is to be able to play and compete in the same team as your old man! May have missed John’s glory days with the bat but I’ve seen some pretty special bowling performances instead.