Week 7

Lydeard St Lawrence – Home

Victory, yes victory for the 2^nd team with an emphatic seven wicket win, it was so comprehensive, everyone was wondering what to do, especially as it finished much earlier than usual.

So where do we start, a combination of tight bowling and fielding, forced the visitors in to some rash strokes, thus giving their wickets away. Plus, as umpire this was the first time this season I have had to give someone out, in fact I gave two LBW’s. Well if they are on the back foot, ball pitching and hitting in line of middle, they were not difficult decisions. Everyone who had a bowl got a wicket, even Greg Arlotte with is very, very slow off spin; deceived in the flight no doubt.

As for the run chase, skipper Carl got Stowey off to a flyer, calming nerves in the home dressing room, and if it wasn’t for a huge six at the end, I think extras would off top scored! As umpire I am there to over see the rules and the game is played within the spirit of cricket. I had a few mumbles that I turned down a couple of LBW decisions, but when I explained why I just hope they understand.

Stowey are now off the bottom of the league, thanks to this victory, over-taking Lydeard. I will say the visitors played the game in the right spirit, with lots of encouragement to their young contingent, a bit like most sides in Division Five.

Now, I think I have an obsession with the weather; I now even listen to the Shipping Forecast on Radio 4 long wave. Ok, it was at 5.45pm and Test Match Special was on, and they had to go to Shipping Forecast just when Matt Prior was scoring his 50. Where exactly are Dogger and German Bite?

With all the modern technology about nowadays, buying a car with a digital radio now means listening to Test Match Special is no longer a burden. The first couple of cars I bought the first thing I would look at would be the radio, if it didn’t have long wave, I wouldn’t buy it. I left some sellers a bit bemused, when I explained that the only way I could pick up TMS was on 198 long wave, the penny dropped, well I think it did!

With a hectic weekend of cricket now over, Somerset winning on both Friday and Sunday in the T20, England playing Sri Lanka in the first Test and off course Stowey 2^nd XI winning, it is pleasant to have a relaxing week without any cricket, but will be keeping a close eye on the scores from around the country.

However, the second most important thing which happened over the past seven days was Somerset going op of the County Championship, thanks to victory over Sussex. Alfonso Thomas took four wickets in four balls which helped a bit I think. Come on Somerset, make me cash in my betting slip!

Ok, that’s it for now; short a sweet, still in a state of shock that the 2^nd XI won on Saturday.