Welcome friends to Captains Blog. For me, today's the day our season starts for real; no conference games against sides we'll never see again or a meaningless pre-season friendly against our 'take-it-easy-on-them-lads' league neighbours; no, this is the real deal - village cricket as it's meant to be. Hail Stapleford Tawney, my favourite fixture of the year! Why? Well, they're a good lark-a-minute bunch and like us, they're the usual pot pori of the gifted, sporting, less sporting, professional and disorganised. And I scored my first ever runs against them so they hold a special place in my heart. Led by the indefatigable Will Beagles, the Tawney's in many ways personify what village cricket means (although they only play 3 games a year and don't have a ground, but that never puts them off). So pull up a bar stool, order a few IPAs and lets spend a leisurely Saturday poking good natured fun at each other.
Because in the end that's all we could do. It rained. Not in the morning you understand, oh no - that would be far too convenient. We could have cancelled the fixture well in advance and got the weekly food shop in. Nope - at 2.30 it started, just before Mike and Bomber put their pads on for a reduced 30 overs a-side match. Then the rain stopped and play finally began at just before 3pm on a slow, sticky wicket. 25 overs were managed before it sheeted it down with Ali unbeaten (and very wet) on 42 and Mike having got 71 before being bowled. I've never seen 13 cricketers run so fast. And Bretty showed a very impressive turn of speed, as thay all ran towards the sanctuary of the pavilion.
170-odd for 3 and well placed. We took an early tea. We didn't have a choice.
And we never went back out. It rained harder and got darker. At 5.30pm Will and I shook hands, called it off and headed for the bar. We will be playing them again at home in July when the summer days are long and balmy. We can but hope.
A shame all round: it was to be Bretty's first game and, in my view, the Canfield season hasn't started until Neil picks up his bat. Assisted by Brucie - our very own cricketing Yoda - these two elder cricketing Jedi knights were drafted in to help Master Luke overcome Stapleford Tawney's cricketing Death Star. And that's quite enough clumsy Star Warms symbolism, thank you Jon.
Purely for the record our starting XI was:
Mike
Bomber
Andy D
Ali
Bretty
Tom
Steve
Preecher
JW
Angus
Brucie
POB was on hols in France and Paul was in the Far East on business (don't forget the team duty free both of you) - I hope you both had better weather than us. Sonofapreecherman was rested having a game for Dunmow U13s the next day (which was also rained off of course).
Special thanks to John Williams for laying on a first class tea (Tescos Finest - always worth that bit extra, John) But that's it. No amusing anecdotes or incidents of note. Just sipping whisky in the bar with a few friends after the game. There are worse things in life.
Next week we are at home to Naezing Common, 2.30pm start. It will be warm, sunny, we'll win the toss and Ali will score his maiden century and I'll score 20-odd. We can but dream.
Oi Sun! Get your hat on YOU SLAG!!!
Love and kisses.
Preecherman
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