Week 13

Hemyock – Away

With any luck the recent 2^nd XI game against Hemyock will be the last game I will miss this season. Admittedly the last three weeks I have missed were unavoidable, but my thoughts were for the Stowey lads taking the field on Saturday, how hot was it?

So what happened last weekend, well the 2^nd XI hit more runs than the 1^st team and they hit more runs than last week, however they still lost, whereas the 1^st team, who scored less, won.

What is evident from the weekend, in fact the whole season, is that Stowey are crying out for a couple of decent batsmen, a couple of guys who can bat through 30+ overs to post a competitive total. There are bowlers a plenty, and the fielders back up the bowlers, albeit the first game of the season when 13 catches were shelled.

Stowey now boast some of the best facilities in the area to play cricket, and with a newly artificial wicket recently installed, everything is there to help, train and improve player’s ability, especially the batting. Somehow my attempt to attract two Taunton Deane players on Friday night at the County Ground was not that successful, even my offer of as much cider as they can drink after the game was a bit futile.

Back to what happened at the weekend. The 2^nd XI batted first, to the relief of Carl no doubt, firstly because it was very hot, and secondly Hemyock is nearly in Devon! A much better performance batting display than the previous week as Stowey almost doubled what they scored against Kilve, amassing 95 runs. Hemyock knocked them off with the loss of only two wickets.

However, trying to pick some positives out of the performance, the Super Two’s picked up three valuable points, moving them off the bottom of the table. So there we have it, three positives from the trip to Hemyock: a better batting display, three points amassed and no longer bottom of the league – things are looking up guys, so who’s next? Ah!!!!!!

Over the weekend there has been some great individual performances and Over Stowey 1^st XI bowler Gary Thomas had exceptional bowling figures in their win against Bridgwater Pointers on Saturday. 3.5 overs bowled, two maidens, four runs and six, yes six wickets taken. Exceptional stuff Gary, surely that makes you favourite to win an award at the presentation night.

Somerset’s James Hildreth and Lewis Gregory dragged Somerset from the jaws of defeat to a very unlikely victory on Sunday against Durham in the 50 over competition. Needing 312 for victory Somerset were 21-3, then 106-5, the home side was staring down a barrel. Gregory joined Hildreth in the middle, and set about smashing the Durham attack all round Taunton. A 70 ball century from Gregory ensured victory for Somerset with 20 balls to spare.

Lewis Gregory can consider himself unlucky not to be picked for the England Lions. 2014 has been a remarkable season for Lewis, taking wickets for fun and now scoring runs, surely his call up is not far away. On that note, congratulations go to Craig Overton in his call up to the Lions squad.

Lastly, well done Somerset, as they will be holding a beer and cider festival during the four day game against Warwickshire later this month. I think I will need a lift in to work those days!

Time for a Thatchers me thinks, with TMS in the background, sitting in the back garden thinking about mowing the lawn.

Week 12

Kilve – Home

Yet another game missed, and to be fair, where I was amongst the thunder and lightning I didn’t think there would be any games played in Somerset, let alone at Over Stowey.

I was in Gloucestershire, enjoying a well deserved break, with the rain coming down like stair rods, not much venturing out was done, only to the local bar. I was very surprised to learn that the mighty 2^nd XI managed to get a game in on Saturday, in fact both Stowey sides played. I am also led to believe that there was nearly a full fixture program in the West Somerset League.

So what happened, well, by the looks at the Stowey score, not a great deal! 56 all out and zero points collected. Ironically Stowey would off picked up more if the game was cancelled, as eight points would off been awarded to both sides. With Stowey picking up no points, Kilve picking up the maximum and other wooden spoon candidates Lydeard St Lawrence gaining six points, Stowey now plummet to bottom of Division Five of the West Somerset League.

Six games left and it looks as if the away game against fellow wooden-spoon candidates, Lydeard St Lawrence, on August 16^th will be the one who decides who collects that wooden thing. But before that there are games against Hemyock, Stoke St Mary and Crowcombe to concentrate on. I am pretty sure that apart from the Hemyock game I am available to umpire for those games in August.

Following up from last week, I have now seen the state of Kieswetter’s eye, wow that looks a mess. Judging by the recent results against Surrey and Kent, Somerset have most definitely missed him – sorry Taylor, the results and the Somerset batting performances show that. He may score at slow rate compared to other T20 opening batsmen, but he does not give his wicket away cheaply, something which other players could learn from, especially that game against Kent. Qualifying for a T20 quarter-final pace is now out of Somerset’s hands. Just concentrate on beating Middlesex first and then we’ll see what happens.

Kieswetter’s injury reminds me of the story about Mike Gatting being hit on his nose by a Malcolm Marshall delivery. His face was an absolute mess, two black eyes, a squat nose and cuts being hidden by plasters. On his return to England, he was asked by a so called reporter, “Where exactly did he hit you?”

Gatting got bowled off his hooter by that delivery from Marshall. I believe the West Indians call that type of delivery a “perfume ball”, a delivery where the batsman can smell the leather. Gatting certainly done that and when the ball was returned to Marshall, the West Indian bowler found a bit of bone lodged in the leather.

As for the reporter, Gatting didn’t reply, as he was a bit bemused by the question. Now if he was quick enough he could off replied “Jamaica!”

For those of you watching the Test match over the past five days you may of noticed that England used a substitute fielder for a bit during India’s first innings. Somerset’s Alex Barrow was on 12^th man duty for England for the Test, which reminds me of another Somerset player who was also on 12^th man duty some nine years ago, and he made a bit of an impact.

James Hildreth was on duty during the first Ashes Test in 2005, and boy did he make an impact, catching skipper Ricky Ponting out. I don’t think Punter was best pleased and he did a bit of a double take to see who caught him, as Hildreth and Ponting were Somerset team mates for a while.

Bad luck Ricky, and on that pleasant note, I think I will have a pint of Thatchers, it is cider time after all.

Week 11

Milverton – Away

With the worlds second most important sporting competition now over, thankfully, we can all now get back to some normality and concentrate on the wonderful sport of cricket. We all know the Ashes is the biggest event in the sporting world, anything else is just secondary and the Ashes is contested for next summer. I wonder who will be captain of England then, just hope it is still Alastair Cook.

Anyway, the mighty two’s travelled to Milverton, for their next Division Five encounter, and another game I missed out on umpiring, and it looks like I’m going to miss the next two Saturday’s as well. Hopefully by then I will have a clear run in until the end of the season.

So what happened on Saturday? Well according Carl they lasted beyond tea this week, only because he chose to field first instead of batting. The home side plummeted the Stowey attack all round Milverton and they ended up scoring in excess of 200 with the loss of only five wickets.

In response Stowey lasted 30 overs before they were all dismissed some 100 runs short, but the game did last beyond 7 o’clock, which is a bit of an achievement for the two’s. At least everyone had a bat and a nearly everyone had a bowl, 14 year old Ryan Thomas top scored, showing the senior players how to bat in testing conditions.

Sunday morning saw Over Stowey’s Under-15’s host their Taunton counterparts, a game which truly showed cricket being played in the right spirit. Tina Miller, Stowey’s Under-15 manager, along with he husband Paul and Under-15 Captain Stephen was frantically trying to get 11 on the field, as Tina had a few who let her down in the morning. Her Taunton counterpart offered Tina three of their players as substitute fielders, plus he also reversed the batting order to make a “game of it.”

I could only witness was pure enjoyment, with a lot of good comradeship between all players. Especially when one of the substitute Taunton fielders caught one of his own side out. Great to see Taunton, you have set a great example to others. Let’s hope other teams follow your example, whatever the steaks may be.

Have you seen the state of Craig Kieswetter’s nose and eye? No nor have I, but I bet it is a mess. I don’t know how long he will be out for, but it is coming to a crucial stage of the season, where the mighty Set are in somewhat precarious type of position. A couple of geed results over the next couple of weeks will put them in the hunt for silverware, on the other hand, well I don’t need to tell you, and I don’t want to think about it.

Alex Barrow will make a great replacement for Craig, not as flamboyant, but very capable. It is also good to hear that Craig has committed himself to Somerset, by extending his current contract. Jos who?

Ok, time for a couple of Thatchers me thinks, I have some now, thankfully, after a panic the other evening.

Weeks 9 and 10

Brompton Ralph – Home

Buckland St Mary – Home

Two home games on the bounce, unfortunately the game against Brompton was another victim to the weather in this frustrating season. However, the game against title chasing Buckland was worth waiting for.

As a retired off-spinner you dream of the perfect delivery, where the ball pitches, turns, bounces, which completely bamboozles the batsman and takes the top of off-stump. You know the one I mean, the Shane Warne (I know he is a leggie) delivery to Mike Gatting – shame Warne now has a broken hand, oh how I laughed.

Anyway, Saturday, Stowey’s Julian Pocock on strike, a left-handed batsman facing a right arm off-spinner, who chose to go around the wicket. The Buckland bowler was getting some purchase from the pitch and this ball to Julian was no exception, it pitched outside Julian’s leg stump, he played expecting some spin, but it got a lot of spin and it missed the defences of Julian and took the top of off-stump.

The look on Julian’s face said it all, he looked at me, looked at the pitch, looked at Carl who was umpiring at square leg, but he didn’t look at the wickets and he just walked off shaking his head, especially as he was top score from the game against Fitzhead.

I suppose that is one of the joys about umpiring, you are in the thick of it all, which takes complete concentration, but you do get to witness some great cricket from a very good vantage point.

Over the past couple of weeks I have watched loads of cricket and help officiate in some games as well. Now the good news to all you players out there I had my eyes tested last week and have new pair of specs to pick up. I know a couple of bowlers in the West Somerset League will be happy about that, but just to let you all know my eyes are in good health, and have not deteriorated in any shape or form, it’s just my glasses are scratched, so giving decisions have been a little tricky.

Over Stowey’s 1^st team have won again and Under-11’s have got off the mark with their first win over the past few weeks. It seems the trouble with the 1^st XI is they have one of the best attacks in the league, but have no batsmen to support them. For example the game against Winsford on Saturday saw them knock the home side over for just 119, but couldn’t get anywhere near the target set.

The highlight of a busy week was the Charity Cricket Weekend. This involved an open air party on the Saturday night which included a live band, disco and barbecue and six-a-side cricket on the Sunday. Luckily the weather held and enjoyable weekend was had by all, shame a couple of idiots threatened to spoil it on the Saturday evening, some of them should know better.

I must admit standing on the gate Saturday evening got a bit chilly, and I ended up wearing winter clothes by the end of the night. Different on Sunday, when the sun came out and it was a beautiful day. Shame my hay fever struck and struggled to umpire somewhat, I even had to ask players where the ball went, whether it was a six or not, but you could tell by the shot which field the ball landed in. I think Holford owes us about 20 balls, but hey some cracking shots by the young Buller’s.

Right, time for Thatchers or two me thinks, see you at The County Ground on Friday, Gloucestershire the opponents, come on Somerset, you can still qualify.