Rawdon were struggling for numbers
somewhat as Pod answered the call to dust off the boots and turn
out. A promise of an opening spot secured the deal and Pod was happy
at the late weeks' showers, as it was going to be a bowlers day.
Guiseley turned up with 5 junior and 5 senior cricketers and with
Capt Mainwaring adding his tactical expertise it wasn't difficult to
see why they were near the foot of the table. Nick had obviously
expected the track to take spin,
and was dumbfounded to see a green top, and took Sledge to task for
the poor pitch preparation. Kitch stepped in to calm things down,
and this was before the toss.
Pod was surprised to see Nick has learnt at least one thing in his
years as skipper, and stuck us in. Perhaps if he plays another 20
years he'll learn something else. A shocking start to the game saw
Nelly and Bodey back in the tent and Rawdon's hard
hitting
drinking middle order striding in. Unfortunately Dingy went straight
away as well and 9-4 didn't look great. A tremendous recovery was
initiated by Sledge as he doubled the score in 4 balls, but ran out
of patience and got himself off. At 19-5 another tactical
masterstroke brought P Graham into the attack. Now I understand Pete
was a fairly handy bowler in his time but this was his 17 year old
daughter. DT was the first to fall to the long haired looker, and
this brought Pod to the crease. With top scorer Windy going to a
sharp catch and with only the tail for company, the pressure was
heaped on. It would be far to easy to write cheap double entendres
now, but Pod has always risen above this.
Anyway, as the leggy blonde approached, Pod got a little tickle and
she whipped Pod's middle wicket out. A look of astonishment on her
face soon transformed into a wide grin, overjoyed at what she saw.
Sorry guys, but one cannot look a gift horse in the mouth. It had to
be done.
The tail didn't wag (the double meanings have stopped now, it's back
to the cricket), and we were dismissed for a paltry 33.
A 10 minute break, as teas weren't ready, brought Guiseley's junior
opening pair to the crease. Pod feels like he's getting old when the
players Christian names are mostly 'trendy' celeb based affairs, and
this is the case with Guiseley. We had Phoebe, obviously Pete was a
Friends fan, and Harrison, whose mum probably was keen on the star
of the Indiana Jones films. Finally we had Jordan, a tribute to the
big titted slag who's recently split up from Peter Andre? Whatever
next?
Trevor Penney took a couple of quick wickets for Rawdon, but proved
his raw talent is backed up by an unused brain, as a permanently one
legged Glen Taylor wiped off the rest of the runs with ease.
Not a great deal to write about unfortunately as the only thing of
any excitement was a four overthrows from Pod that left Ben, Craig
and Chris on their backsides trying forlornly to stop it.
Never mind, as Haighy says, 'It doesn't matter'.
Footnote: Despite us only scoring 33, Nick still managed to chase
the ball, and on 4 occasions putting a fielder where the ball had
just been hit. Terrific stuff.
Yours in sport, and back into retirement.
Pod
Monday 1st June 2009
Saturday brought a beautiful day, a close game, but nevertheless a
loss.
The high point for Pod was Tim Hales handing a box of beer over to
the Rawdon lads, after the game, for their part in NLCC winning the
title last year.
And so as we sat drinking together in the changing rooms, there was
an end of season feel about things.
Taking into account a number of things, this seems to Pod to be a
perfect time to call it a day.
And so, that is it. Pod's Blog is no more, and Pod has retired from
cricket.
I look forward to meeting old friends and adversaries at the bar in
the future, and wish you all the best.
On that bombshell........yours in sport.
Pod
The Jonners On Three Tour 2009
A Bank Holiday weekend seemed like a good time to nip darn sarth
for a few days cricket, so Pod tagged on to the Parkhead tour once
again to see what cricket in the industrial wilderness of Sheffield
was all about, and mix with the gentry and landowners of Devon
for four games. Four games quickly became three as the
1st
opposition couldn't
raise a side, and Sunday was spent driving down to Topsham, under a
blazing sun. Pod was Thelma to Viners' Louise, as the top was down
and we spouted drivel all the way. Five hours later, and with bright
red heads we arrived in time to enjoy the (Car) Toon Army get
relegated, and have our
fill
of Butcombe, (that is the
local ale, not the by-product of homosexual shenanigans).
It was great to catch up with last years' tourists, Jonners (on
three) and Arch who are both continuing to be average club crickets
by staving off retirement, before becoming the legends that they one
day will be, once they pack the game in. All the young lads were
enjoying a shandy too, with Pony Spillman asking me to give him some
bowling advice ('but not now, I'm pissed).
BH Monday and the sun shone as we visited
Heathcoat CC
.We naturally elected to bat and a slow low track accounted for the
flair-driven strokeplay of the Vinall twins, before Will (87) showed
what a class batter, and dreadful bore, he is by smashing it to all
parts. He was ably supported by Spillers (snr), and cameos from Arch
and Pod himself. The reply was lead by Heathcoat's overseas Q Adams,
a one trick pony, but its a pretty good trick. Pod bowled tight (to
the juniors, for the main) and Turnip gained deserved respect from
their batters. Adams continued to smash it around, but with scant
support he could never do it on his own, even with the help of Will
who thought he'd try catching with his nose for the laugh. Bezza
finally wrapped it up with a few overs left.
Back to Topsham and a night on the Buttcum, and a chance for
Spillers, the fines master, to take the stage. Me me me, as Pod is
fined for talking once the 'fining hat' is being worn. The inference
here is that everyone should be gazing at Spillers at all times,
just to see when he dons the said (ridiculous) headgear. It was
worth 50p of anyone's money not to. Vines gets stung
big time as Perry seems unable to grasp the concept of not arguing,
as do the remainder of his entourage. Early to bed, with a big game
in the morning!!
On the Tuesday it's
Cornwood CC
,leaving straight after breakfast, in order to get to the pub in
time for lunch, or a pasty, before the game. Again the opposition
are made up of veterans and juniors, and the perfect chance to give
other tourists a bat. Well that's the idea, but like Reich last
year, Graham fills his boots and bats through for a ton. It was
great to watch too, I mean him going to the bar and getting the jugs
in later, not his knock. Runs from Bevan and blobs from the Vinall
family ensure that everyone enjoys the afternoon sun, wind and
chilling temperatures.
There is pressure on Burks to keep the fixture with his captaincy,
so he winds Turnip up and lets him loose. As terrific he was
yesterday, Chris fails to keep control and work the batters out,
instead resorting to pace, and losing the required line. There's
plenty of time to learn for him though, a talent for the future and
a different character either side of the white line. Pod gives them
a few runs early doors before finishing with a couple of maidens.
It's nice to still bowl them at will!! Another thing Pod likes is
young pups throwing themselves about in the field, with Wilco
putting first his kneecap in the way of a well struck drive, and
then getting his big toe to one (making his excuses, and leaving).
In two days of cricket only Viners misfielded one, how refreshing.
We let the hosts get 150ish, still plenty short, but enough to keep
them happy, before closing the game out. There was still time
afterwards for more pasties and to enjoy Turnip running blindfolded,
for 80 yards, straight into the fence surrounding the ground.
Quality.
Another night on the Buttcum, and the Spillers show. Painful, but
Graham celebrates his ton by filling a couple of jugs (utilised as
props in a few predictable photos) and we enjoy the banter and
camaraderie of the tour. Jonners - 'January', Viners - 'And most of
February'.
The third day sees Pod duck out of playing as the weather has taken
a turn for the worst, and it's pissing it down. Expecting an early
departure form Blagdon, it is nice to see the hosts doing all they
can to ensure this doesn't happen as a mopping operation guarantees
a 30 overs a side game. Frankly it's all a bit village with a 3
overs maximum per bowler, but Sam gets more runs on tour than his
dad, and a few lusty blows from just about everyone give Parkhead a
total of 150. The low point however is Bevan deliberately shelling a
catch whilst subbing for the opposition. There is no place for this
in cricket, at any level, and Pod cannot condone it. Nor can he
condone their umpire calling no-balls for beamers, from square leg.
It's f**k all to do with you, so shut up. Still, a lovely place, and
great bunch of guys. A quick slice of quiche (jealous Will?) and its
off home before we have a bowl. Guess we won though.
What a few days, immensely enjoyable, cost a fortune and looking
forward to next years' invite already.
Jonners on three. One, two, three.............
Yours
in sport,
Pod
Nattering Nerys’ Storytime
Giving it her all on a cricket pitch near you
Laurence the Tank Engine
It
was Tuesday evening. The Rawdon branch of Aire Wharfe steam railway
society was meeting to select the engines to cover the following
weekends activities. Laurence addressed the other chief engines;
“
Gosh we’ve got a busy weekend ahead of us. With the bad weather
cancelling last weeks cup rides we need to 33 engines to fulfil our
fixtures on Sunday.”
“Yes”
piped up Dingy the Dingy engine “ and it’s even worse than that! Eight
of our engines are either having repairs or taking a very inconveniently
timed holiday and three of our younger engines are representing the
branch for the league or county!”
Laurence swelled with pride at the younger engines success, but he knew
this added to the problems for the forthcoming weekend. How would Rawdon
be able to put out 33 engines? With a heavy heart, he looked around the
room.
“Lads” he said, “ there’s no other option. I’m going to have to speak to
the Fat Controller. He’s a sensible, reasonable man and I’m sure when I
explain the problem to him he’ll allow us to re-arrange things so that
we only need to find 22 engines for Sunday.”
Smithy
the slow (and sometimes slightly pessimistic) engine guffawed. “I hope
you’re right Laurence, but sometimes the Fat Controller can be a bit of
a power mad egomaniac when it comes to deciding how to run the society.
Don’t forget that changes to the points on the line fiasco last season,
when whole teams of engines suddenly didn’t know if they were meant to
be going up or down.”
Laurence stood up. “ No,” he said “you’re wrong, Smithy. I mean if he
makes a unilateral decision that we have to get 33 engines out on
Sunday, that means we’ll have to ask children under the age of 12,
pensioners, members of the golf club, all sorts of people who haven’t
played cricket for at least 10 years - if at all – to play. I mean,
golly, I may have to play myself. Why that could start to get dangerous
and we’ll need to spend the rest of the week trying to beg and borrow
bats and pads, helmets and all the rest of the kit. Even the fat
controller wouldn’t be that silly to make us do that.” As he finished
speaking, Laurence picked up his phone and walked out of the room,
ringing the fat controllers number.
[at
this point children need to cover their ears and indeed even the chief
engines were cowering in their seats as Laurence has a quite noisy and
boisterous conversation with the fat controller, with a lot of strange
words in it]
“**@£$%***er!!” yelled Laurence as he walked back in the room, slamming
the door. “Gosh!! What a silly fat controller!”
Monday 18th May 2009
It was back to inner-city cricket for the Rawdon boys this week for
a visit to Colonel Sanders' lot at KFCC. The forecast was a shocker,
with it getting worse later on, so Longers sensibly won the toss and
after a late start asked the hosts to have a bat. Whilst waiting
round for the wicket to be mopped up and readied, we were asked to
stand off the square. Pod feels there's someone at this club full of
their own self-importance, unlike the rest of the guys that are now
at home in the Aire-Wharfe and are now perfectly personable. Who
could that be?
We bowled poorly, essentially, on a wicket that was giving some
assistance. The one short boundary was pummelled with full tosses,
and chances that we did create were not snaffled. Having said that,
Ellis played some lovely shots in his 114, but should have gone on
47, with a missed stumping, and a couple of times after that as he
rode his luck. Nerys came back well with a couple of late wickets as
KFC played for the declaration as the rain arrived.
At
this point we re-located to the clubhouse that is being used as a
set for the next series of Auf Weidersehen Pet. Moxy had done some
plastering that was just going off, but it looked as if Oz and
Bomber had been out on the piss and come back and trashed the place.
Never mind, lets get stuck into tea.
There were a couple of overflowing cups on display, but otherwise
there was very little to satisfy a hungry cricket team. Pod duly
held back but Sledge, possibly subliminally, got himself a couple of
ample portions, and tucked in heartily. Our scorer John, was not at
all happy to find absolutely nothing left for him, he even said he'd
have settled for a crisp sandwich, he was that disappointed.
The second half was as expected with the wicket perking up a
fraction and the KFC bowlers utilising
it
better than we did, but they couldn't take wickets. Nelly and Callum
batted with technique and application beyond their years. As Pod did
a stint at square leg, he noticed the KFC keeper, who was stood
back, continually coming up to 13 year old Callum and whispering in
his ear. This was after
every ball. Now if this happened in an internet chat room, it'd be
labelled 'grooming' one feels. How about letting a junior with more
talent now, than you've ever had, just get on with playing the game?
Soapbox away, we clung on for an easy point closing at 128-6,
chasing the 204, which was always going to be too many. For the
record, Pod again lost the 50p challenge and is going through a
shocking spell.
On Sunday in the cup we mopped up for two hours, took an early tea
and started a 25 over game as the rain came again.
3.4 overs bowled. Pool 13-0
Try again next week. see you all then.
Yours
in sport, Pod
Monday 11 May 2009
"There's nothin' more foolish
than a man chasing his hat" - Gabriel Byrne
Windy & Matt Hill - You were
spotted!!
Courage takes many forms, both
physical bravery and mental toughness, and Hardon have it in
spades. Pod was a nervous wreck as he approached the wicket with
three overs to see
out
for the rain affected draw, to be met with a crescendo of blog
related abuse. Granted the vast majority of the words came from
behind Pod's back, but
one imagines that that was merely to do with the field placings,
not the implication, that with one exception, none of the
opposition had the balls to either say anything face to face, or
indeed earlier when they had all had a chance to come out and
have a bat and be surrounded by Rawdon players. They had all
been as quiet and meek as church mice then. But, safety in
numbers, they really got under Pod's skin and he crumbled,
giving his wicket away, and thus the 6 points went to Hardon. Earlier,
the brave and the good of Hardon had sent Windy on his way,
telling him to turn the showers on, (again from an anonymous
source, behind his back), and sent Matt Hill off by telling him
he was a c**t. Courage indeed, and a tribute to the club. How
the Hardon President must be proud.
Earlier, Longers had won the
toss, and with rain forecast, asked Hardon to bat. One imagines
that their skipper could just pick the first six batters out of
the hat, as there was not a lot to chose between them, however
Portlock showed patience and grit that eluded his fellow top
order
in getting 39. In at seven was new signing Spragg from Steeton,
who must be hoping to impress. After three games in the 1's, he
finds himself at the start of the tail, and surely on this
performance, heading for the other end of it. Gardner (40) also
showed some capability in leading the visitors to 165-8 from
their 50 overs. Bowling credits were shared, with Longers being
the pick, and Pod being lambasted by his own players for trying
a last ball leggie, that went for a maximum. It's just a bit of
fun lads!!
With a shower starting
during tea, we lost 10 overs in which to bat, which made it a
6-0 or 1-1 game. Once again as we got on top we lost wickets.
Windy, having been given the benefit by the umpire of a caught
behind, found the Hardon players apoplectic with rage. How Pod
would have enjoyed watching Ray Beadle deal with them in times
past. "Grin and bear it lads, just grin and bear it," as he
would smite another boundary. Unfortunately for us, Windy has a
guilty conscience and gave it up a few balls later. Callum again
looked quality, but the rate was increasing, and a flurry of
wickets as we had a slog took their toll. Finally, with Longers
succumbing, Pod was told to try get a point. Alas, Pod's mental
frailty, together with the Hardon intimidation had the unwanted
result mentioned above.
Hold on, no, not quite. It
finished 1 point each as Rawdon closed 8 wickets down and twenty
odd runs short.
In the bar after the game, the
Hardon lads suddenly don't want to talk to the hosts, tucking
themselves away in corners for a quick pint and then crawling
off. Happily there is an exception in Andy Bailey, who comes
over, talks cricket, and gains kudos that his team-mates could
only dream about. Apparently all the blog related abuse is
because I mentioned paying £3.50 for crisp sandwiches last year
at Hardon. An official apology is demanded. Naturally, as an
agent of the Jesters CC this apology will be required to come
from the JCC governing body. Over to you DRB. ( Don't get me
involved, I like Harden - ed & soon to visit
umpire)
(I will of course endorse
anything that you put the JCC name to!!!)
Yours in sport,
Pod
P.S
Pod's new Mitre Derek Pringle
Pro-Trundle Plus boots got their first victim of the season
during all the sledging. Sadly I missed the muppet who mentioned
them, but I'm sure he'll be reading this and will fess up on the
guest book. Has irony not reached the quiet backwater of Hardon
yet? Alas not.
Monday
4th May 2009
About 12 months ago, as
Rawdon 2's were soundly beaten by a very good Otley team,
CPSmith took the time to say what a disappointing side we had
turned out and that we should be ashamed. Funny, but Chris
didn't take the same time to discuss this weekends game, as
Otley had struggled to survive for the single point after been
given a master class in batsmanship by 'Unky Dunky' Stow. As
usual, the Otley ground was a picture but the pitch had
something in it for the bowler, surely the reason why Wilky won
the toss and invited us to bat. Windy set of quickly but Dunc
soon caught up and dominated the opening stand of 77 as Mick
Gray accounted for Windy (23). Then it was Dunc all the way as
the bowlers were rotated from one end and Mick twirled away from
the other. Half way drinks, brought out by an injured Wolfy,
raised a few eyebrows. A bowl of punch found in the fridge
seemed a good idea to him, slightly less so to our 13 year old
batter who had just taken a big thirst quenching glug. Callum
was out next over and each incoming batter struggled to come to
terms with the wicket that didn't come on, was a tad too paced
and not the easiest to score on. But Duncan batted on. When he
had got to 80, and was showing signs of cramp, Pod took the
opportunity to have a word and tell him not to give it away. How
little did Pod know. The ton came and went in a breath, and he
was comfortable leader in the RCC six hitting comp, smashing
several into the dead centre of Otley. Sledge had a go at
batting but walked off after 5* realising it wasn't that easy,
so it was left to Hughsey to accompany Duncan to the end.
Windy's 2nd XI high score of 160 was passed and there were overs
left. League handbooks were consulted. 201 was the number. The
last over has Nerys on strike, swish - miss, hearts in mouths. A
single - relief. C'mon Dunc. A swept four, only slightly
mistimed, and it's there, league record. What an innings as the
rest of us could only muster 75 between us off the other half of
the deliveries. A consoling mention for Mick Gray, who hardly
bowled a bad ball, had him dropped on 3 at bat-pad, and finished
with 1-111. Ouch.
Otley's
reply had to revolve around the young talent of Atkinson, but he
was first to go to one that bounced from Longers, gloving to
slip via the keeper, and from there on in they were never in it.
Sledge had the idea of letting the batters know every time they
had missed out on a poor delivery, and too many attempted to
make up for it too soon, and fell trying. RCC's ground fielding
was excellent with Matty finally deciding he can contribute in
the field. Nerys plugged away from one, whilst the seamers
toiled at the other. Snugglebunny was reliable in line and
length and completed two frugal spells, his best for the club to
date. Pod took his first wickets of the season, skipper and
Jester Wilky, and when Davy got would up that everyone was on
the edge, still had a slog and succumbed to Pod's leggy.
Charlie Munday's comment 'I
didn't think you could bowl any slower' was not appreciated! The
latter batsmen finally shut up shop and settled for the point,
with us unable to get the ultimate wicket.
A job well done, but we'll miss
Duncan in the next few weeks, when God calls.
Yours in Sport,
Pod
Monday 27th April 2009
This weeks blog was always
going to be a testing one after the comparative ease of a Burley
starter. The number of 'characters' there is indirectly
proportional to those at Bilton, who's whole eleven struggles to
come up with a combined (cricketing) personality. Even in past
years the Bilton side has been abjectly boring when it comes to
on-field interest and let's face it, the addition of Nicky Bull
( a shadow of his former self, except where pleading with
umpires was concerned) although a good effort to put some zip in
the side, didn't have the required impact.
Thus after being inserted,
Rawdon set off at pace. 'Uncky Duncky' Stow (73) filled his
boots against the pubescent attack, and Callum (17) played some
lovely shots in his cameo. Nelly smashed his way to 5, breaking
a new bat clean in two on the way, but then we faltered. Dunc
got stuck on 69 (fnar, fnar) and out just before drinks, leaving
us in need of some runs in the 2nd half. Longers and Matt Hill
batted through the next 10 as Morley and Tyler had a go and
stemmed the flow, but there was then a base for a final assault
as Nerys (30+) again cashed in on some tired bowling and even
Griggsy reached double figures. Club newcomer Chris Halliday had
to watch the progression of runs before getting a go at 9 and
missing a straight one. Happily for Pod he stormed off and
demanded immediately that Matt bat him higher up the order in
future.Good job there's no cock of the week any more!
The
Bilton reply was as expected. Wharton (70), their only
recognised batter had to perform, and he did, but the scant
support from the youngsters added to his burden. A succession of
lengthy single figure scores ensured that the ultimate total was
never a realistic goal and indeed only a slog from Tyler at the
end got them anywhere near. Nerys was the pick of the bowlers
with a nice little Michelle. To enliven things up a touch the
Rawdon boys had dropped catching competition with a final score
of 7 and five players taking part. Pod of course took the
plaudits with three real toughies going to ground.
It might just be a long
season for Bilton too in 2009 unless they get some big boys back
in the side. Pod predicts a relegation haunted year for the
Harrogate lot.
Yours in Sport,
Pod
20th April 2009
It’s been a long old
winter for Pod with, for the first time ever, not a single net. Thus
it’s nigh on 8 months since a ball was delivered and a bat smited in
anger. Rusty is not the word. Looking around the changing room there
are a few carrying injuries, a black eye, a big toe nail that is
almost off but still flapping around, a bandaged finger due to a
wart being removed (the day before the season starts?), and a nasty
looking bruised elbow. Moving past Sledge, Nerys’ love affair with
Ralgex continues and Longers is fully strapped up. We’re ready and
raring to go. Loll has come up trumps with new gear. Training tops
and match shirts. Unfortunately, having never seen a 2nd
XI game, he doesn’t realise the 2nd XI demographic of
weighty forty-somethings, and the shirts ordered really don’t fit
the bill, there was even a small in there, perhaps for Graham
Wright’s selections. Lucky Pod is a lithe and athletically built
specimen!!
Burley won the toss and
asked us to bat. Pod is currently reading a terrifically funny book
by Michael Simkins about an overweight kid who discovers a love of
cricket despite his ineptitude at the game.
Burley
have their very own ‘Fatty Batter’ who immediately sledges Windy for
having a slog in the 2nd over, and is a general gobshite
throughout, even having a go at Pod for not moving the screens and
letting the home side look after their own facilities. 32-5 is not a
great start to the season, with the umpire making up for a 7 month
lay off by quickly recalling how to ruin someone’s day, but
seemingly not remembering any of the laws concerning LBWs. Sledge
(54) and Longers (26) set about rebuilding, as Burley have to rotate
their junior bowlers. Pick of the crop is Cooper who finishes with a
4 for. Another mini collapse leaves us at 138-8, but Nerys (40) and
Pod (25*) give themselves targets to reach and keep going. The
inter-over chat is all about not giving it away, and with the score
on 170, Nerys tells me to aim for 180. Two balls later he’s hit a 6
and a 4, and Pod is directionless for the rest of the over. His
rashness eventually catches up to him and it is left to Pod and
Trevor Penny to see out the overs, and get us over the 200, helped
by 31 extras.
With the track slightly
two paced and with variable bounce we feel this is a good total to
defend with 153 the 2 point total. Longers soon gives way to Nerys
who immediately gets an LBW given in his favour, bringing Fatty
Batter to the crease. All of a sudden he wants to be everyone’s
friend, explaining he only got his stuff out of the loft at 11.30
that morning. Sledge shuts up for once giving him the silent
treatment, and after a couple of ugly swishes and a miss, he also
gets the umpires finger. If only he’d have tucked his shirt in on
the way back, he may have just resembled a cricketer, for once that
day at least. Frosty (40) continued to stick around but wasn’t happy
with all run 4’s, quickly turning them into 3s then 2s. 90-2 at
drinks was competitive, but TP took over from Pod and both batsmen
gave it away shortly afterwards, one to a fine catch by Windy who
nearly corkscrewed himself into the ground in the process. The young
lads just couldn’t get Nerys away and got out trying and all of a
sudden the focus shifted as Rawdon went for the kill, with one eye
on the 5-1/4-2 draw. As the 9th wicket went down with 141
on the board and 2 overs left Pod had to leave the ground as he had
a bit of a do to go to and the text he later received told him we
had finished with 4 points in the draw. Apparently the umpire had
told the batters that 152 was the 2 point total, so they got there
and stuck. Alas 152 is not quite 75% of 203. Looks like it was a 5-1
after all.
Tip: There’s a little
box on the scoreboard where the 75% target should go. Use it, it
doesn’t half help.
and was dumbfounded to see a green top, and took Sledge to task for
the poor pitch preparation. Kitch stepped in to calm things down,
and this was before the toss. 
fill
of Butcombe, (that is the
local ale, not the by-product of homosexual shenanigans).
big time as Perry seems unable to grasp the concept of not arguing,
as do the remainder of his entourage. Early to bed, with a big game
in the morning!!
Smithy
the slow (and sometimes slightly pessimistic) engine guffawed. “I hope
you’re right Laurence, but sometimes the Fat Controller can be a bit of
a power mad egomaniac when it comes to deciding how to run the society.
Don’t forget that changes to the points on the line fiasco last season,
when whole teams of engines suddenly didn’t know if they were meant to
be going up or down.”
At
this point we re-located to the clubhouse that is being used as a
set for the next series of Auf Weidersehen Pet. Moxy had done some
plastering that was just going off, but it looked as if Oz and
Bomber had been out on the piss and come back and trashed the place.
Never mind, lets get stuck into tea.
it
better than we did, but they couldn't take wickets. Nelly and Callum
batted with technique and application beyond their years. As Pod did
a stint at square leg, he noticed the KFC keeper, who was stood
back, continually coming up to 13 year old Callum and whispering in
his ear. This was after
every ball. Now if this happened in an internet chat room, it'd be
labelled 'grooming' one feels. How about letting a junior with more
talent now, than you've ever had, just get on with playing the game?
Soapbox away, we clung on for an easy point closing at 128-6,
chasing the 204, which was always going to be too many. For the
record, Pod again lost the 50p challenge and is going through a
shocking spell. 
out
for the rain affected draw, to be met with a crescendo of blog
related abuse. Granted the vast majority of the words came from
behind Pod's back, but
one imagines that that was merely to do with the field placings,
not the implication, that with one exception, none of the
opposition had the balls to either say anything face to face, or
indeed earlier when they had all had a chance to come out and
have a bat and be surrounded by Rawdon players. They had all
been as quiet and meek as church mice then. But, safety in
numbers, they really got under Pod's skin and he crumbled,
giving his wicket away, and thus the 6 points went to Hardon. Earlier,
the brave and the good of Hardon had sent Windy on his way,
telling him to turn the showers on, (again from an anonymous
source, behind his back), and sent Matt Hill off by telling him
he was a c**t. Courage indeed, and a tribute to the club. How
the Hardon President must be proud.
order
in getting 39. In at seven was new signing Spragg from Steeton,
who must be hoping to impress. After three games in the 1's, he
finds himself at the start of the tail, and surely on this
performance, heading for the other end of it. Gardner (40) also
showed some capability in leading the visitors to 165-8 from
their 50 overs. Bowling credits were shared, with Longers being
the pick, and Pod being lambasted by his own players for trying
a last ball leggie, that went for a maximum. It's just a bit of
fun lads!!
Otley's
reply had to revolve around the young talent of Atkinson, but he
was first to go to one that bounced from Longers, gloving to
slip via the keeper, and from there on in they were never in it.
Sledge had the idea of letting the batters know every time they
had missed out on a poor delivery, and too many attempted to
make up for it too soon, and fell trying. RCC's ground fielding
was excellent with Matty finally deciding he can contribute in
the field. Nerys plugged away from one, whilst the seamers
toiled at the other. Snugglebunny was reliable in line and
length and completed two frugal spells, his best for the club to
date. Pod took his first wickets of the season, skipper and
Jester Wilky, and when Davy got would up that everyone was on
the edge, still had a slog and succumbed to Pod's leggy.
The
Bilton reply was as expected. Wharton (70), their only
recognised batter had to perform, and he did, but the scant
support from the youngsters added to his burden. A succession of
lengthy single figure scores ensured that the ultimate total was
never a realistic goal and indeed only a slog from Tyler at the
end got them anywhere near. Nerys was the pick of the bowlers
with a nice little Michelle. To enliven things up a touch the
Rawdon boys had dropped catching competition with a final score
of 7 and five players taking part. Pod of course took the
plaudits with three real toughies going to ground.
Burley
have their very own ‘Fatty Batter’ who immediately sledges Windy for
having a slog in the 2nd over, and is a general gobshite
throughout, even having a go at Pod for not moving the screens and
letting the home side look after their own facilities. 32-5 is not a
great start to the season, with the umpire making up for a 7 month
lay off by quickly recalling how to ruin someone’s day, but
seemingly not remembering any of the laws concerning LBWs. Sledge
(54) and Longers (26) set about rebuilding, as Burley have to rotate
their junior bowlers. Pick of the crop is Cooper who finishes with a
4 for. Another mini collapse leaves us at 138-8, but Nerys (40) and
Pod (25*) give themselves targets to reach and keep going. The
inter-over chat is all about not giving it away, and with the score
on 170, Nerys tells me to aim for 180. Two balls later he’s hit a 6
and a 4, and Pod is directionless for the rest of the over. His
rashness eventually catches up to him and it is left to Pod and
Trevor Penny to see out the overs, and get us over the 200, helped
by 31 extras.
