Week 4

Disaster all round, from what I can understand, a bit like UK’s entry in Eurovision. So where do I start:

• Half the 2^nd XI went AWOL, trying to find the ground to where they were travelling, ths turning up late.
• Six dropped catches in the 2^nd’s.
• On the subject of batting collapses, the 1^st XI was doing ok when I left.
• I have dropped down the league in the Fantasy T20 Cricket league form 1^st to 2^nd - gutted.

So, the positives:

• The 1^st XI are in the next round of the cup.
• Gary Thomas got a hatful of wickets.
• I had a nice tea thanks to Pauline.

Personally, I am somewhat disappointed I didn’t make it to the 2^nd XI game, buying cider at a food and drink festival had a bit of a knock on effect, but I did have a nice tea. Have I mentioned that?

In all, these are the first defeats for both senior sides this season, something no doubt both captains will reflect on.

It was great to see Norman Hicks at the ground on Saturday, a former Over Stowey “great”. To hear he is retiring from work within the next 12 months just goes to show how time creeps up on you. Hope to see you at the ground more often Norman.

Not much more to say really, the match reports speak for themselves. So next week a double header against Bishops Hull, now that is something to look forward to. And yes Carl, I shall be there.

Week 3

I must admit it has been a challenge this week to write reports for the local papers as both the 1^st and 2^nd XI won their games by 5pm, having both bowled the opposition out for 42 and 41 respectively.

So where do I start, well let’s start with Matt MacKenzie, he done his chances of a call up to the 1^st team the least possible chance by getting a first baller, in fact starting a mini collapse at the top of the innings as the 2^nd XI, chasing only 42 to win remember, as Stowey slumped to 0 for 2 after the first over.

So it was down to the Mark Sortwell, who was dropped from the 1^st team for slow play, to dig in and steer Stowey home. So just play his natural game then, I think he got the ball of the square once. I haven’t check the scorebook, but I would hazard a guess that after Mark the next highest scorer was extras, but saying that, Dig did hit a few, so I may be wrong.

Well done to Shay Keohane, who actually claimed a catch yesterday, well it was of his own bowling, and thus claiming a wicket as well. Then proceeded in the next over to drop one of his own bowling. Along with Simon dropping one as well off Shay’s bowling, a difficult one at that, but most keepers would of caught it, Shay would have had three wickets, but alas not.

So onto the 1^st XI, who also had a comprehensive victory, over Brompton Ralph. I hear in dispatches that Steve Easden is back to his menacing best with the ball. I think his figures proved that, five wickets for two runs, certainly the match winning performance for the 1^st XI.

In the run chase Jub had 28 not out to help steer the 1^st XI to victory with the loss of two wickets. I now believe Jub is averaging over 100 so far this season. Not bad I suppose for an opener. 

Ok, question of the day. What umpiring mistake did I make yesterday?  This will be two in two weeks. In fact it was something I failed to notice while standing at square leg, and I had to look up the rule after the game.

The ball came to rest on the helmet of the fielding side. Does anyone know the rule, if so, who calls it?

On that note, it is time for you know what. I will have to write to Thatchers to see if they will sponsor the club, or even this blog, now that will be nice.

Over Stowey's Adventures in the West Somerset Cricket League

Week 2 – A pirouette and some dropped catches

Over Stowey’s first full weekend of fixtures, and what a weekend, victories all round, I think we have to go back to when I was captain of the 2^nd XI when this last happened, and that was last century!

Jub Penny made his full 1^st XI debut with a superb 89 to help the 1^st XI to victory over Morebath. On another day, on a drier strip I think Jub would off scored a century, so he tells me anyway. I have no doubt in that whatsoever, I am pretty sure he will score a hatful of runs this season.

The 2^nd XI emulated the 1^st XI with a 40 run victory over near neighbours Kilve. Simon Pickard the backbone of Stowey’s 131. Nine man Kilve came up short, despite their best efforts lower down the order.

There are a couple things I have noticed so far this season. Firstly the enthusiasm within the club as a whole, and secondly the abundance of bowlers the club has. Both are fantastic, especially the latter, well and the former, but the latter, if you don’t perform with the ball, someone else will surely do.

As for the enthusiasm, well have you seen the 1^st XI list of fines? I think Ryan doest want the 1^st XI to win the “Hole in the Hand” award again, as dropped catches are first on the fines list. The first game last season the 1^st XI managed to drop 13 catches, how many was it on Saturday Ryan? I think there were a few spillages on Saturday.

On the subject of dropped catches, Teddy Mackenzie dropped a skier to win the match, in front of a baying crowd as Kilve 1^st XI gave him some sort of earful as he spilled it. So Teddy picked himself up, brushed himself down, well in fact he had a quick smoke. Retrieved the red thing he should of caught, went on to bowl, and dismissed the batsman he dropped with a straight one.

Ok, the pirouette, more like Bambi on ice. Stand up George Pike. Charging down the wicket, to a ball which same down with snow on, an almighty swipe, a fresh air shot and then a turn in mid air in an attempt to dive back into safety of behind the crease.

In the mean time the ball was still coming down from space, it pitched in front of a stranded George Pike and he watched the ball trickle into the stumps to knock of the bails. Thanks George for making my day, seeing my umpiring wasn't up to my usual high standards, a little light relief goes a long way in making cricket a fantastic game to be a part off.

That’s it for now, don’t forget D-Day is under three weeks away.

Week One

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