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Wakerley and Barrowden Cricket Club

 

 

Another month has flown by and my stalker is after me again. The last match I wittered on about was Queniborough on the 18^th May. Since then, we have played just three games, from a scheduled seven. Duddington on May 24^th cancelled because they could only field seven players, while the cup match at home to Egerton Park the following day was washed out.

 

The home game against Easton on the Hill on the 31^st however did go ahead, and it was probably one of the best games, in terms of general cricket, atmosphere and enjoyment, we have played against them. Les won the toss and elected to bat, and between him and me, we put on 86 for the first wicket, before I decided I needed cake. Marc Eldred battered 42, with Les being eventually out for 55, to tally up a respectable 169.

 

Despite two early wickets for Jonny, Easton’s strong middle order took charge, and they knocked them off in the 38th over. As one of the front runners in the division above us, it was a measure of what we can do when we put out a full side to push them so hard.

 

Oundle on Friday 6^th June was another casualty of the British summer, and we assumed Uppingham away the following day would go the same way; but once again, the weather gods had other ideas.

 

Uppingham are another larger club who have recently joined the Grantham league to give their youngsters more cricket, along with a blend of first teamers. We just happened to get them when neither of their other sides had a game. But we gave it a go, even with only ten men. Two wickets for Jonny again, and four for a new recruit, Andy Bryant, restricted the home side to 229. In reply, in Les's absence, Chris hit a captain’s 52, Andy backing him up with 54. One of our old lads, Uppingham’s first team captain Billy Beaver, cleared up the tail and we were all out for 160. Again, it’s a measure of how we can perform, even with ten men, and there was no disgrace to lose. The only other game we have completed was a league game, at home to Ancaster on the 14^th.

 

A few days earlier, we found out we are going to be without Les through injury for the next two months, and with Crocodile Wright taking off down under, our resources were once again stretched to the limit. Our last man, Jonny Robson from Morcott Road actually rang me while I was preparing the wicket on Saturday morning, enquiring were we still looking for players! Thinking about that for a whole nanosecond, he was told, politely of course, to get his tail up to the rec for one o’clock, and in all fairness, he fitted in really well, and I'm sure he will be a welcome addition to the club anyway.

 

Ancaster won the toss, and elected to field, on a drying wicket, conditions which can cause some erratic behaviour of the ball. The one that got me early on was so erratic, it couldn't decide which stump to take out, so it just took the middle one. Thirty-six from Marc, backed up by 25 from Jonny and Shaun Cardell battering a rapid 18 not out at the end took us up to 145. While I was umpiring, I was telling our lads that on that surface, 120 would be a good score, and I really couldn't see the oppos getting anywhere near 145. But............... had you going there for a minute........... only their opener got into double figures, 18, with two wickets apiece for Mike and Sherman, and four from Chris had them all out for 60. Eighteen points, thank you very much.

One funny passage was when Jonny bowled his first ball to their opener; quite a low bounce, through to the keeper. "Nothing there to worry about", says the batsman. He hastily re-assessed the situation when the next ball, a bouncer this time, missed his nose by a hair! Four balls later, his middle stump is lying on the floor.

Bob

 

Bob White

 

 

Non-playing membership

 

The 2008 season has now begun and if there are any newcomers to the village who would like to join as a playing member please get in touch using the following numbers [01572 747563, 01780 721177].

 

Your support as a Non-Playing Member is greatly appreciated and I do hope you will continue to support the Club.  If you are new to the village, we invite you to become a Non-Playing Member – you may even want to play – you would be most welcome. For a £5 family subscription (£3 individual), you get a fixture card and the satisfaction that you are supporting a Club that continues to play cricket in our village. A number of villages in Rutland have lost their Club due to lack of support – do not let this happen in Barrowden.

 

If you would like to become a Non-Playing Member or renew your membership, please return the slip below and send it with your subscription. [Cheques should be made payable to Wakerley and Barrowden CC.]

 

Thank you

David Bagshaw

 

Fixture Cards are a little late this year but will be delivered to all NP members.

 

………………………………………………………………………

 

To: David Bagshaw, 23 Dovecote Close, Barrowden, LE15 8ET

 

Name……………………………………….…………………………………….

 

Address…………………………..………………………………………………

 

Subscription enclosed ………………….……………

                                       [Family £5, Individual £3]

 

 

 

Last updated: 1st July 2008