Week 19

Over Stowey’s season is now at a close, and wow, what a season. Plenty of highlights, plenty of up’s, not so many downs and plenty of enjoyment.

So here are my highlights (in no particular order):

• Carl’s match reports. I look forward to them every Sunday, makes my chuckle no end. Heavily edited and then sent to the papers. Just a brief highlight: Moment of the day had to be capt Pike's run out to take the first wicket or the fact that Shay took 2 catches.

• Kieran Barrow bowling left arm around and taking wickets in senior cricket.

• Lee Rich’s improvement from the no-ball king, to the most lethal spell I have seen him bowl against Dunster.

• Sorty’s first baller against Dunster.

• Stu Caldwell’s six against Bagborough. I can see why he enjoys the number 11 spot.

• The victory against Huish in the cup inspired by young Lee Villis.

• Five different bowlers taking a “Michelle” for the 1^st XI

• Mike Barrow’s eight wickets against Morebath.

• Not playing Bishops Hull.

• Teas

• Thatchers Cider

• Doing a supermarket sweep around Waitrose, having £100 to spend for the club’s Vice-president / Sponsor’s day. Oh those steaks were tempting.

• Ryan’s captaincy and the reintroduction of fines. Off to Vegas boys?

• The ever improving Stephen Miller, boy can he swing the ball.

• Shay trying to get out against Dunster as he was due to go to work, think he smashed 43 runs in about 20 balls.

• Jub’s century against Taunton, then being foiled by the rain in the next match against Bagborough by a most horrendous thunderstorm when on 93, so not quite completing back to back centuries.

• The ever present Stu Duerden and some remarkable catches.

• Phil Rich’s six for 19 against Carhampton, bowling very slow right arm.

• And lastly, but no means least, becoming champions of the West Somerset League Division Two.

Well, that’s about it for 2015, next week SCT will be back, oh boy have we had interesting summer of cricket.

Time for a Thatchers me thinks, had a few yesterday.

Week 18

Champions…Champions…Champions…Champions

I think you get the message! Over Stowey 1^st XI clinched the Division Two title with an emphatic eight wicket win over Carhampton. And with Timberscombe forfeiting their final fixture as they couldn’t raise a side, the Division Two title most definitely belongs to Stowey, and they still have a game to play.

All this excitement on Saturday, plus the club game on Sunday, I was suffering a bit on Monday, oh well; it does get harder to recover when you get older.

I would like to thank all those who turned up on Sunday, despite the weather, to play, to watch and support, and off course partake in some hospitality. It was good to catch up with some old players, so much so I didn’t know the scores on the pitch.

So, next weekend, the victory parade will be at Spaxton, when Stowey play their final game against Bagborough, I believe the champagne is ready to be opened as we speak.

Saturday was the final game of the season for the 2^nd XI, where they entertained Dunster. The visitors won quite convincingly, however there were two very good individual performances of note.

Firstly, Stephen Miller. Not only did he take four wickets off his 11 overs, apparently he swung the ball like a preverbal boomerang. Another milestone for Stephen is that he reached 30 wickets for the season, a great achievement by the 16 year old.

Secondly, Lee Rich. What a contrast to four months ago. Saturday was probably the best I have seen Lee bowl, pace swing, movement and great enthusiasm. He fully deserved his five wickets, he could have quite easily had more, but the ball just swung too much. Nice jug after thank you Lee.

Another milestone was one for myself; the last game of the season, and I gave my first LBW decision. And where there’s one, the second wasn’t far behind, but I gave the batsman the benefit of the doubt due to the angle the bowler was bowling at.

Anyway, plenty of improvement by the 2^nd XI this season and it’s just great to see the youngsters getting a chance. Well done by all those who played this season.

Right, Thatchers time.

Week 17

Rain and boy did it rain, thunderbolts and lightning, and indeed it was very, very…… not frightening but spectacular.

The 1^st XI was called off just as Jub was about to complete back to back centuries – jug avoidance me thinks. Thankfully Timberscombe game was also abandoned, so there is no change at the top of the Division, Stowey still handily placed, six points behind with two games left, and Timberscombe with only one match to play.

I could go into different scenarios in what could happen over the next two Saturday’s, and rain could even play a factor. One thing for certain, two wins and Stowey are champions.

The 2^nd XI had a difficult time down at North Curry. One thing for certain which came out of that match is that we have joint favourites for the coveted Hole in the Hand award; can you guess who they are?

Also, the 2^nd XI have been accused of breaking rule 10. This rule is about deliberately strengthening their side. So can the league tell us what two 13 year old boys are going to do, one I am led to believe has never held a bat before. The game against Crowcombe had nothing on it, both sides mid table in Division Five of the League, the lowest division in the league. Crowcombe had not even complained to the league.

This is the same league that didn’t have the balls to throw out a club, who was on their last warning, for violent conduct; and this same club who teams refuse to play. Okay, rule 10 is there for a reason, but hey surely common sense should prevail. (my view only).

Enough about that, I mentioned rain earlier; I just hope it doesn’t spoil the end of the season, especially as we have the Neal Sortwell Memorial match on Sunday. And with so many guests coming, I just hope all the hard work put in is not wasted.

There is nothing worse being sat in a changing room waiting for the rain to stop to see if the match will continue. Some players wanting to wait so as to complete the game, others (I’m in this category) wanting the game to be abandoned so as to try a few back in the bar. I do think the purchase of covers may be high on the agenda for Stowey.

So we are down to the business end of the season, the 2^nd XI play their final game on Saturday as they entertain Dunster; the 1^st XI travel to Carhampton and then all aboard for the trip to Bagborough the following Saturday.

Right, a bit early for Thatchers, but may try one later

Week 16

Over Stowey 1^st XI – Promoted, period! Well done guys, now go get that title.

As I was away in London all day Saturday I was waiting for the result to come through on my smartphone, guess what, the bloody thing went dead, battery as flat as my back lawn!

It wasn’t until I got home later that evening (well gone midnight), that I was able to charge up my phone, and it was the post from Stu Duerden what confirmed the victory and promotion. Me thinks that Stu was rather pleased with the days play.

I don’t blame him, winning by nine wickets, Jub scoring a ton and in the process beating Sorty’s club highest score – well done Jub. Three games left and everything to play for.

Someone has to tell me about the opening stand, I believe it was 154, chasing 158 to win. I also believe Mark scored 24 not out, to Jub’s 116. You can’t tell me that Jub had all the strike. But hey, Mark you done a job, as I am also led to believe Phil had to pull out on the morning of the match as he had lost his balance.

I’m loving the photo caption competition, there are all sort of scenarios you can think off. 

If you haven’t had a go, give it a try. I think it should be something to do with spoofing or drinking, maybe a combination of both.

Once again Carl has given me a cracking 2^nd XI report, and he pays great tribute to the youngsters in the way they performed in a senior league. But it also seems to me Carl was given out LBW to a very dubious decision. But he also says that he thanks the guy for umpiring as he had no one else.

Right, a bit early for Thatchers, but may try one later.

Week 15

What a catch. Take a bow Simon Pickard. Like picking apples from a tree. Talk about a “Champagne Moment”, well that could be it for the season.

The look on the poor Minehead batsman said it all, utter disbelief. He absolutely creamed it, four all the way. Simon, fielding at mid-off (could be mid-on), stuck his hand up above his head and the ball just stuck. Oh how I wish you put the ball in your pocket!

Phil’s catch at slip wasn’t bad either, I understand most people were looking behind him to see where the ball went, but Phil had caught it.

Simon’s catch was somewhat reminiscent of Timmy Little’s catch at Somerton some 30 years ago, slightly different circumstances, but nevertheless, a great catch.

A Sunday friendly away to Somerton, in fact the first friendly of the season, and I am sure they chose Stowey as “cannon fodder” so to get their eye in for the start of the new season. We lost the toss, and we were put in the field. By the end of the 14^th over Somerton had reached 100 without loss. Steve Little brought himself on to bowl his slow right arm off-breaks.

First ball he flighted up, the batsman missed timed it and the ball dollied up to Steve’s brother Timmy, and he failed to take the easiest catch you could imagine. Steve was furious; he banished Timmy to the boundary where he trudged off sulking.

Two balls later, the same batsman absolutely creamed the ball, and it was heading straight to Timmy, who was still sulking and his mind was elsewhere. “Timmy” everyone shouted, Timmy woke up started to move to his left, he suddenly saw the ball going to his right, stuck his hand up and it stuck.

Cue laughter and hilarity, plus some gloating from Timmy aimed directly as his brother about his ability to catch. Absolutely cracking.

So why we are on the subject of catching, who is favourite to win the “Hole in the Hand” this season? From what I can see and understand, it’s going to be a tough choice.

Right, that’s it for now. Oh, I almost forgot #Ashes #60allout Thatchers time.

Week 14

With both senior sides not having a game at the weekend, as they were due to play Bishops Hull, a well deserved rest was had by all.

There was a game on Sunday, a friendly against Kilve, which I believe they won, however getting a side was, well what can I say, interesting indeed.

On Monday, only two names were on the list to play. Stuart sent a message on social media to see if anyone was available. By Friday a team was all but selected and take on our near neighbours. A good effort by all; especially on a beautiful August weekend, right in the middle of the summer holidays.

However, one thing puzzled me was conversation I noticed on the club’s chat forum, it went something like this:

                Jack (Sunday Morning): Boys, 2pm start today, so be there for 1.45.

                Shay (2.29, Sunday Afternoon): Where was everyone?

                Mike (2.30, Sunday Afternoon): It’s at Kilve, isn’t it!

    Shay (2.31, Sunday Afternoon): Oh, thought it was at Stowey.

Nice one Shay, made me chuckle as I was supping the “Devils” drink (lager) Sunday afternoon at a Steam Fayre. They ran out of cider if you are beginning to worry! Don’t forget Shay, the 2^nd XI are away on Saturday at Fitzhead!

Thankfully I have never turned up at the wrong ground, been to a few grounds where there are more than one pitch and have been to places where I have struggled to find the ground. On one occasion I asked a local where the ground is, and I must of asked the only person who is deaf in the village!

So we are now in August, which means one thing: the end of the cricket season is nigh. Saying that, the 2^nd XI still have four games and the 1^st team go on into September and have five games left. Plus the inter-club game on Sunday 30^th August, so yes, still plenty of cricket to be played at the business end of the season.

That’s all for now, a well deserved Thatchers is beckoning and the fourth Ashes Test is fast approaching.

Week 13

Having missed this weekend’s entertainment due to free day out I was heartened to hear the resume of the games played on Saturday by both teams.

Let me start with the 1^st XI. Yes they won; they won comfortably, more comfortably than a few of us would of thought and the now sit on top of Division Two of the West Somerset League.

I assume the game against Bishops Hull is cancelled (rightly so) on Saturday as Ryan is looking for numbers to play golf that afternoon (sorry can’t make it), which means eight points each. The destiny of the 1^st XI this season is quite firmly in their own hands. How exciting is the run-in going to be for the rest of the season.

Gary Thomas has certainly got the fire in his belly this season, another “Michelle” for him on Saturday, this time in a winning vain against Timberscombe. The last match against the same side he took seven and the 1^st XI lost their only game so far in the League this season. How many wickets so far this season Gary? Me thinks well over 30, not bad for a first change bowler.

On to the 2^nd XI. Carl always sends me a match report either on Saturday night or first thing Sunday morning. It is always entertaining reading his account of the game, however this time I was particular impressed by the manner in which the game was played on Saturday.

In a week in which Stowey are due to play Bishops Hull (I believe they are not), it was heartening to read that the “Spirit of the Game” was suitably upheld in the 2^nd XI match against Stoke Saints on Saturday.

With Stowey playing a few youngsters, the skipper of the Saints side brought on to bowl their youngsters against Stowey’s. Thus in return the Stowey skipper repaid them by doing the same, by bowling Kieran and Stephen at their youngsters. Saints are pushing for promotion, so well done to their skipper who could’ve quite easily used his senior bowlers to give them a better chance of victory, and likewise to George.

That’s all for now, I am just happy that the virtues of the West Somerset League and cricket in general is evident. Thatchers time me thinks.