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.