|
Having decided to postpone my attempt to come to terms with those pesky contact lenses my drive though the rather blurred sunny Suffolk countryside to the pretty ground at Cavendish was full of enthusiastic anticipation. Blackledge was again absent so I wouldn’t have problems with players getting bored. The team’s batting was to be boosted by Mark [Boomer] Boreham who, after postponing the start of his season for the birth of his daughter, was chomping at the bit to play his first ever game for the seconds. Mark, a regular first team player, has decided to play at a lower level in the hope of rediscovering his somewhat frail batting confidence.
Winning the toss old J. R’s advice was for me to bat and probably for the first time in my life I took his advice and together with the in form Fisher strode confidently out to open the batting. The wicked magic fairy had waved her wand over Fisher who after the heroics of last weeks mammoth innings looked rather stiff and flat footed, the opening stand however mustered a respectable 50 before the wickets started rapidly to fall. Brame’s forward defensive shot let him down as Dennis could have driven his mower between the gap left between his bat and pad. Now I have given Blackledge a hard time about his running between the wickets and to b ehonest it’s not good but compared to the antics of those players with first team experienced who have played in our team during the early part of the season it is truly magnificent; Boreham marked his debut in the team by calling the unfortunate Fenner for a single that even a Japanese Kamikaze pilot would have had second thoughts about. An “interesting” experience for Fenner who took his unfortunate dismissal with good grace. However I expect that if it happens again Boomer’s mad call will be answered with a loud “no”! Despite the failings of the middle order the innings of Smart and Grimwood gave the Brockley totalan air of respectability. Grimwood, after a shaky start, batted with great character and like Smart his inning was memorable for a big hit six.
Whilst devouring a Sudbury tea devoid of any milk I was quietly confident; I had the dependable, in form, wicket taking Smart to bolster the team’s youthful bowling attack. The game plan was to let my young bowlers loose at the Sudbury batting order knowing that if problems were encountered Smart would see us though. Well, the youthful bowlers toiled manfully for wickets; Brame again bowled accurately for his three wickets, Fenner bowled a decent opening spell and Mingay tirelessly toiled away in a fifteen over marathon. The wickets that did fall were due to magnificent catches from our boys, Grimwood’s was safe whilst Brame’s was confident and gutsy. Fenner’s was a superb and wonderfully athletic reflex catch, he will catch few better. We do practise catching during our sessions with the youngsters on Friday evenings and although this admission hurts the only catches that have been dropped this season have been as a result of the errors of the old boys.
Our youngsters have enormous promise but they still lack penetration with their bowling but of course I had Smart? So what of Smart? Was he the team’s saviour? Well, no, he slipped a disc during the tea intervalwhilst tying his shoe lace and couldn’t bowl.
A sombre dressing room; Martin [Mouse] was somewhat indignant that he didn’t get a bowl although his irritation evaporated after his second pint of IPA, Shinn however was less easily placated, he even refused sausage and chips in a display of uncharacteristic pique on the journey home however his reaction was nothing compared to that of his loyal family group whose wrath at my “unkind” treatment of Bone sent me scampering to my room for an early night. This captaincything is not as straightforward as some readers might think!
Last season our match with Sudbury was marred with some unnecessary silliness; our game yesterday was a delight, it was competitive but played by both teams in an excellent spirit. It was however disappointing that the Sudbury team returned to their club house post match and weren’t able to stay in the village for a drink with their opposition. An essential part of the game is the post match camaraderie between players and teams.
The candidates for this weeks “Man of the Match” award areS mart for his batting contribution; Mingay for his long and accurate bowling spell and Brame for his catch and three wickets. This week’s winner however is Liam Grimwood for an innings of great character.
Smart and Grimwood’s big sixes and the three outstanding catchesv(Grimwood, Brame and Fenner) are all candidates for the “Champagne Moment Award”. This weekend’s winner is Tom Fenner for his brilliant catch..
Foot note. On Wednesday evening I was enjoying a drink in the front bar of the Angel Hotel in Bury. The Angel Hill was pulsating with spotty boys and pretty girls arriving for the end of school prom. Transport for the big night was fascinating; stretch limos, a horse and cart and even an escort of Harley Davidson motorbikes. Most of the youngsters had gathered outside the Athenaeum when a rather large builders van appeared, slightly dirty with a few rust spots it bore thename of, “Fenner Builders”. The van stooped in the middle of the road obstructing traffic and out of the back doors poured what appeared to be around fifteen spotty male youths; yes you’ve guessed it Tom Fenner; Jack Brame and their mates had arrived for the Ball. It just shows what some local builders will dofor a little free publicity; the second team is looking for a sponsor Bob, for £150 it could be yours?
Phil Reed |
