Paul Osborne and Paul Linacre had worked hard on the running order and the timings of games, and even though there were a few moans about the length of time before a team played again most people entered into the spirit of the day.

Gary Hibbard’s team turned up at just gone 10am and proceeded to start on the beer. By 11 o’clock the first teams were on their way to the crease and as in past years the cricket was then none stop until well past 8pm.

With a late start for Rhodes team, which was being captained by Chigger this year as Rhodes was suffering from the night before having somehow lost his birds handbag at Russ's wedding and was spending the afternoon looking for it. However even with Rhodes in the team they had no chance as they were all half cut by the time their first game started, although this did have a positive effect on the bar takings.

Most of the games were extremely close affairs. Several new teams this year saw a ladies team for the first time and a kwik cricketers dads team, Sparkys, Ashley club with 2 teams and finally Swanny’s glue sniffers. All of whom had a great time and will be making a return at next years event.

Swanny’s team failed him so he ended up playing some under 12s and Liela a bonus for Swanny and all those who were watching, especially when she was running between the wickets.

The ladies had the services of Bong in their team (And no not for the very obvious reasons) but he failed them getting run out early in one game and taking to long to score runs with his mum. However one of the ladies did manage to take the first ever recorded underarm hatrick, and was rewarded with a trophey.

The serious teams of Long and the under 15s were progressing through nicely as was a team from Ashley Club and the Kwik dads. Kwik dads were eventually knocked out on a count back by Ashley club who played Longys team in the semi.

The other semi being between the under 15s and Sparky’s.

Both semis were hard fought affairs with Longy’s and the under 15s going through to the final.

Longy was making a serious effort this year and had been keeping off the beer this was proved to have failed when we had to get the wheelbarrow out to move the box of empty bottles from their area. However this might have had something to do with them sitting near the Rhodes team!

So the Final was between Longs team and the sober under 15s and tropheys were at stake.

The final was played in good spirit (especially the men’s team) with the lads having the distinct advantage of being sober. The scores were not impressive and either team still had a chance at the change round. Haley’s comet (Adam Wright) came on to bowl and his individual style saw the lads home with the vital wicket of Glyn after which his team folded trying to chase the elusive win.

Winners.

Losers.

Thanks must go to Andrew Smalley and Phil Bennett and Dave Keys who did most of the umpiring. Along with all those who helped out with the scoring.

Off the Field the bar was busy all day and the girls idea of doing sandwiches went down very well. I don’t know who’s idea it was to do different foods throughout the day but this seemed to go down very well.

The main problem appeared to be getting someone to do the BBQ however one of John Hendley’s team Ian Pashley and his wife came to the rescue. He evidently loves doing barbies and he was quickly in the thick of it (smoke that is).

O and in a special presentation one player was awarded for his effort of batting through an innings for 2 runs, quite an achievment, does he look familiar if so Leave a message on the message board.

Related Links:
Match Reports
Fantasy Cricket
A-Level Ground!