I was
unable to travel to Fitzhead on Saturday, which was a great disappointment to
me, as I have happy memories of playing cricket there. However, this was more
than compensated for as I played a game on a ground steeped in history about
the game I adore.
I say
I have happy memories of playing at Fitzhead as Over Stowey are usually on the
wrong side of a good thumping when we play on their ground, but Stowey can take
a few crumbs of comforts in previous fixtures at Fitzhead.
And when
I say a few, I probably mean one, when we beat them while defending only 98.
Yes a barmy sunny Saturday afternoon sometime in the 1990’s we actually won
away at Fitzhead, and I think there was a blue moon that evening. Joking apart,
the home side seemed pretty confident on the verge of cockiness that afternoon,
especially as they were only chasing 99 to win and even more especially when
they were 60-1.
Half
the team was changed as they thought the top three or four batsmen would close
out the game. We took a couple of quick wickets and at 73-3 the home side was
still favourites. However the number five batsman, who was half changed, had to
hurriedly get back in his whites then put his pads on to get on to the pitch
and to bat.
Needless
to say he didn’t last long, nor did the next and the next, all of which were in
civvies expecting victory and had to get changed in a hurry. To say there was
mass panic in the Fitzhead ranks was an understatement and Stowey eventually
bowled them out for 88, ten runs short and what a victory. Serves them right
and boy did we celebrate!
Another
occasion I was late turning up at Fitzhead, Stowey was batting and in deep
trouble. 52-5 and I was next in. I got changed into my whites, put the pads on,
and as soon as I sat down the sixth wicket fell, so in I went, with their
opening bowler looking menacingly at me thinking I was a walking wicket – which
to be fair he would be right, but not on this occasion.
I
managed to bat for 25 overs, scoring a rapid 14 - which included one six back
over their opening bowler’s head, using Rocket’s bat and I told him after how
to use it. Yes 14 of 25 overs, which included a 22 partnership with Steve Darch
in 18 of those overs. Did the Fitzhead bowling figures look good, yes they most
certainly did.
Well
we did set a target of 92 and this time Fitzhead made no mistake in knocking
off the runs in some 16 overs.
Ok,
back to Saturday, from what I can understand from dispatches Over Stowey 2nd
XI winning streak off one came to an end on Saturday when they succumbed to a
one man team, allegedly a first team regular playing in Division Five of the
West Somerset League. Cannot really comment as I wasn’t there, but I do remember
Fitzhead a couple of seasons ago questioning our integrity when we cancelled a
home fixture because of rain. Hmmm..... me thinks a lot here about their
integrity, but I am only thinking of course!
Back
to where I was on Saturday, well I was paying homage to the “Cradle of Cricket”
at Hambledon in Hampshire. Not only did I pay homage, I actually played on
their pitch. And not only did I play I took a couple of wickets – is a comeback
on I hear you ask?
In
about 1750 the Men of Hambledon set up the first proper cricket club and after
20 years of its foundation the Hambledon Club became the leading cricket
authority. In the 16 years from 1770 it transformed what had been a casual
country pastime into a fully fledged national sport, much as we know today.
The
pub opposite, the Bat and Ball Inn, served as the pavilion and clubhouse, with
the legendary Richard Nyren as the landlord. The Men of Hambledon would meet
there and during this time major cricket developments were agreed and new laws
recorded in the minutes of the Hambledon Club. In its heyday, the Hambledon
Club beat the rest of England
The
club, apparently, had a famous round of six toasts:
6. The Queen's mother
5. Her (His) Majesty the Queen (King)
4. The Hambledon Club
3. Cricket
2. The Immortal Memory of Madge
1. The President.
Contemplating to bring it into
Over Stowey CC at the Annual Awards night, but who is Madge? Well I know, tells
you something about 18th Century Britain me thinks.
So
yes, an emotional day, however no Thatchers, just Pimms and Lemonade instead, I
think I was feeling alright. Think I may have a Thatchers now though.
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