Having suffered deep depression at the 1XI dismissal for 88 against Holyport and bemoaned our lack of batting, I was only a little more buoyed by the 188 against Wargrave, but another defeat. Veggie's 77 was pivotal to us staying in the game. But 6 lbw's in the match spoilt a fine afternoon even though they were evenly distributed. I thought the rule was give the batsman the benefit of the doubt. Veggies kit hit the clubhouse wall with another dubious decision this time for a run out and messed up my book when he was called back 4 minutes later, poor Sam having already taken guard. The dear lady who gave me the finger whilst driving home the other week would make a fine umpire I thought, blind but dexterous. Sadly she did not look like the lingerie model co driver for James May in top Gear last night, and I had to laugh as he leant across to help her with her seatbelt and was in danger of brushing against ‘the works of the Devine plotter'. The Saturday 2XI move up to 4th and are in danger of promotion. If they achieve that it will be a tremendous effort and will achieve one of our goals in the new development plan.
An exciting opportunity with Berkshire Cricket Development Board has come about thanks to the persistence of Ringo. It is an opportunity to lay real foundations for a sustainable club but it does require commitment from at least half the club. We are confident of putting forward at least 4 members to become coaches and then run regular structured evenings down the club. BCDB will go into schools and help us get the colts which should lead to U11, U13, U15 and U17 and then hopefully a conveyor belt of talent for the senior sides. It is a five year plan but one we must commit to if Hurley is to survive and prosper. So if you have some time any Wednesday, come down the club in the evening and join the not so Devine plotters of Hurley's world domination.
The beer festival and BBQ was a qualified success with perhaps 30 to 40 people in attendance. It was good to see 3 colts stay for a burger to line their stomachs but then disappear with a bottle of apple schnapps to the serenity of Val's mound. Rumour has it one small batsman only rented his quota and left Jeff with a nasty stain on the outfield. Lets see if we can make the 50 year celebration even better on Sept 12th.
Well, I didn't think the Maidenhead Thunderer would print my musings on our moral stance over selection last week, but maybe they did as an implicit support for our cause. Perhaps every new member should get a copy of the accounts to see the extortionate amount we have to pay in rates and water, and the cost of simply preparing wickets and getting the grass cut. Anyway we got through to one who duly paid up.
Sometimes I wonder why I spend most Saturday afternoon's in the testosterone fuelled atmosphere of village cricket. But Saturday was life affirming. Despite the weather, Littlewick Green is always a lovely place to visit and the opposition very sporting. A terrifically exciting finished was engineered with Hurley sneeking home by one wicket thanks to a brilliant last wicket stand of 51 between Dave F and Naeem (from the half way line - you have to know your Spurs history to appreciate that one). We had a childish chuckle at the opposition's surnames and I await with some trepidation to see if the Thunderer prints my innuendos.
A couple of complaints I am afraid. The pub laid on a sub standard spread which made us all thankful for Val, frankly the sandwiches lacked filling and inspiration and the cakes looked like they came out of a doll's house. And no colts were available for selection to the 1XI. A brilliant atmosphere is developing in the 2XI under Darryn and they are challenging having won 6, so it may not be possible to upset their mix. I personally would like to see a few more in the 1XI and with our brittle batting, there are a few places. Perhaps I shall have to wait a few more years as they grow. Where oh where are we going to find someone who can build a Collingwood style innings. Where is the glue that will make the 1XI competitive? Perhaps I am being harsh as Tim, Denis, Naeem and Dave F grafted to get us over the line this week.
Finally, well done Naeem for his 8-28, the joint best 9th bowling performance ever in the history of Hurley CC.
The Club made a significant and moral decision this week not to tolerate players who habitually turn up late, don't pay their membership and in effect add nothing to the club. We hoped that it would wake a few of those individuals up but instead it resulted in perhaps 4 to 6 players trying their luck elsewhere this weekend, and perhaps leaving us altogether. But then again, a couple of these players do have a history of hawking their skills around the Chilterns League until they are asked to contribute. I was fearful that this might happen and we would replace the frustration of perpetual lateness with the problem of putting out sides. While this remains a threat, the atmosphere at our match with Little Kingshill was altogether ‘fresher'. We played two colts who both shone, and one talented 2XI player who could benefit from a good sports psychologist. I am known as Humbug, but Steve makes Clement Freud appear to be on helium.
We got beat, but 10 players were drinking outside long after the match and six went on to the pub insearch of food. I think I was selfish in wanting a phased withdrawal of our problem players until we had something else to put in their place, ie the emerging U17's, I don't enjoy watching us loose and have to suffer the triumphalism of the opposition. But there are some exciting plans ahead with Dave Forrest's link with BCCA and a renewed focus on membership. While we may have come to the precipice, we have a real opportunity to fly rather than plummet.
Finally, a thanks to Lardy who may have played his last game on Saturday. When I look back at the characters we have known at the club over the years he can proudly take his place amongst the best. The vivid slap over square leg, the long stride to punch another six back over the bowler, the Wetwang tour and West Country. Thanks for all that lardy, and I hope you won't be a stranger and maybe even take an interest in our talented colts to teach them some of those amazing shots. Nearly 200 appearances, over 6,300 runs and nearly as many sandwiches, as the umpire at Coleshill said, ‘you used to be good!'
