Week 7

Wow, week 7 and I don’t think I have mentioned teas, what’s wrong with me? It’s the only reason I umpire every season.

Teas have been of a very good standard this season, both at home and at my only away game, at Kilve. Wendy’s teas from the past three seasons were exceptional, but I have now had the privilege of sampling teas made by Tina, Mandy and Pauline, wow, what can I say, but exceptional also.

I for one loved Wendy’s cheese and onion sandwiches, and when Tina made them as well, just wow. Mandy made some wonderful quiches, with, guess what, cheese and onion, and to top that, Pauline is offering cheese and biscuits as well as sandwiches. I am meant to be losing weight you know!

With so much cricket being played, the tea ladies can somewhat be forgotten (not by me though). I know they are much appreciated by all at Over Stowey, both home and away, they are the quintessential thing about village cricket.

Despite the horrid weather on Friday night / Saturday morning, both senior sides took to the field on Saturday, and both notched up important victories. Despite the best efforts of the high pressure looming over the UK on Saturday giving me a thumping headache, I did manage to watch some of the 1^st team.

And that same said high pressure made me miss my trip to Crowcombe III’s at Holford. Another away trip missed, which meant another tea missed.

What I can understand in despatches is that Greg Arlotte made a huge impact in the game for the 2^nd’s, scoring a rapid and powerful 30, and then deceive the Crowcombe batsmen with his spin (very slow with plenty of flight) option, claiming four wickets.

I am also understand that a reluctant skipper brought himself on to bowl, and grabbed a couple of important wickets just after the drinks break. You know what they say about those types of breaks, a loss of concentration and a wicket goes down.

So what exciting stuff have we to look forward to this week. Well, the 1^st XI have a cup match on Thursday, yep, they are through to the second round, and they face an inform Huish Champflower, who have only lost one game so far this season. Saturday sees the 1^st XI without a game, whereas the 2^nd XI host runaway Division Five leaders North Curry. Bat first me thinks.

Ok, a bit of Thatchers and my feet up for the evening me thinks.