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.

Week 12

They say form is temporary, but class is permanent, so work out this conundrum:

Mark Sortwell has had two successive first ballers, which has now been followed up by a “tortoise” like 82 against Lydeard St Lawrence 2^nd XI, who are bottom of Division Five of the West Somerset League, the bottom division I hasten to add.

I also hear in despatches that incoming batsmen were told to run Mark out as he was scoring to slow; so, me thinks that the 2^nd XI could off quite easily amassed 300. But hey, beggars and choosers come to mind, what would off happened if Mark was out early in the innings?

Congratulations to both senior sides who both won on Saturday and both collected maximum points for their efforts.

The 1st XI maintained their good form beating Brompton by 34 runs. They are currently lying second in Division Two, with a matter of points separating the top three in that division, with some crucial games fast approaching, plus with a game in hand, who knows what will happen. But can someone tell me what the pink toenails were all about?

I only managed to catch 20 overs on Saturday of the 1^st XI, but what I could see is that they play as a unit, always backing each other and always looking to do that bit extra to support the bowlers. A good team spirit is always essential within any side.

Unfortunately I missed my umpiring duties for the 2^nd XI (and will be missing again this Saturday), however they also have a good spirit within the team, so thus making the transition to the 1^st XI somewhat more easier.

Carl sent me the match report for Saturday’s game, a report which I have carefully edited, but there seems to be three moments of the match:

1.       George Pike’s cameo in the last over, it went something like 6, 6, 6, 2, 6 and then, last ball of the innings, dot ball.

2.       Shay’s two catches, yes two sticked!

3.       George Pike, again, a sensational run out to dismiss the Lydeard opener.

For me the dot ball wins!

One more thing, my Australian Cricket Correspondent is a bit more chirpier now, I wonder why? It was a bit embarrassing admittedly. But as I mentioned to Taylor (who is not my Aussie Correspondent), you do get a lot of lows watching / supporting England, more lows that highs. 

Celebrate the highs, as they don’t happen very often. I do have about 25 years on him, so I should know.

Thatchers time me thinks.

Week 11

Before I go onto Over Stowey, just one thing: Australia, you took one hell of a beating!

For the second week running the 1^st XI won by ten wickets, this time travelling to Morebath and knocking them over for just 62.

A fully refreshed Mike Barrow took eight wickets, amazing what a holiday does for you, batteries recharged, and back on it. I wonder if our beloved chairman will be fully recharged and ready to go when he returns from his jolly!

Well played the 1^st XI, second in the league, but still a long way to go.

Full credit goes to the Over Stowey ground staff who produced a belter of a batting track. Over 400 runs scored in the 2^nd XI game on Saturday, with only 10 wickets falling. More wickets could off been claimed, however a few catches were spilled despite the best efforts of the fielders.

As an umpire, I found the game very enjoyable to officiate, despite the right hand / left hand combination taking singles nearly every ball. I do love signalling a six, as the crowd roars with excitement, ok, up Stowey a handful of spectators, sipping tea and watching the world go by.

Mandy produced a quality tea again, and this time I had a few grapes, looking after my figure you know.

Off to Lydeard St Lawrence next week, I wonder if Julian is playing, if so I hope he doesn’t get lost this time, as I believe he did last season.

Short one this week, I have some pallets to dismantle, can’t wait! I suppose it will work up a thirst ready for some Thatchers later!

Week 10

As there was no 2^nd XI game, young Stephen Miller was called up to the 1^st XI to make his debut, and ended up winning the Helmet of the Week award. Not for anything he did on the pitch, but not wearing the correct Stowey kit. Back to the two’s next week Stephen.

With Stowey completely outplaying Cutcombe, winning before the tea was even brought up to the ground, I wonder how many times Stephen touched the ball and if he enjoyed fielding at fine leg?

Back when I was young, fitter, slimmer and I could see the ball, I had regular 1^st XI call up’s (only because they were short), and I made the fine leg fielding position my own. Some games would meander by, and it wouldn’t be until the 25^th over before I would touch the ball.

Fielding fine leg to fine leg, then going in at number 11 would cost me £5 per game. However, I would enjoy a nice tea and talk to other players thinking that I had earned it!

Fielding at fine leg had its advantages, not touching the ball very often, even less chance of a catch coming your way and Stoodleigh away. I always looked forward to that away trip, and especially fielding at fine leg.

There would be these two old boys sitting in their deck chairs at the fine leg position; they would also be sipping homemade cider, and how could I refuse a drop or two on a hot sunny day in Stoodleigh.

As for the number 11 position, well If I had to bat (which wasn’t very often), the game was almost certainly lost. And by the time I go to the crease, it would be usually in near darkness with the opening quick bowler back on to wrap up the innings.

For all my stern efforts in playing 1stXI cricket back then, there was that the occasional winners or runners-up trophy won. So just by playing a handful of 1^st XI games a season meant that I would pick up a winners medal or shield.

So back to Saturday, poor eight man Cutcombe only had eight men; they had no answer to Jack Rich and Stephen Easden and was bowled out for forty something. Stowey, or should I say Jub, wasted no time in knocking off the runs.

Next week, back to 2^nd XI action as they welcome near neighbours Kilve, whereas the 1^st XI have a long trip to Morebath.

That’s it for now, count down to the Ashes!

Week 9

Nine weeks have passed, half way through the season, and I don’t think I have even mentioned Sorty.

Having been dropped to the 2^nd XI and his position in the 1^st XI taken by young George Pike, Mark was looking forward to the trip to Dunster, spending a long time at the crease and getting some runs under his belt.

So what happened? First ball, Mark was delivered a nice juicy longhop outside of off stump which he duly despatched right down the throat of point; off Mark trudged back to the changing rooms, out first ball. Earlier, Mark caught an absolute skyer, only to step over the boundary rope and thus six runs to the batsman.

And to rub a bit more salt into the wound, Mark’s replacement in the 1^st XI, George, was involved in a match winning ninth wicket partnership with Matt Coombes which steered the 1^st XI to victory. A great bit of hindsight by 1^st XI skipper Ryan Gamblin me thinks!

Shay Keohane was in the runs again for the 2^nd XI. Shay was due leave early as he had to work that evening, so Carl sent him in as opener, and he played in the style of a pinch hitter, smashing the attack all round the park. During the innings it came to my attention that Shay was trying to get out, so he could get to work. Nice knock though Shay.

Looking at the scorebook after the game, the Dunster scorer (who was doing two scorebooks) credited all Shay’s runs to Sorty, which made Mark a bit happier. It is even on the League’s website that Mark hit all the runs. I am sure Carl will remedy the situation for the Stowey archives.

So it is halfway through the season, which I find quite unbelievable, where has that time gone? Anyway, so how are Stowey doing thus far this season?

Let’s start with the 1^st XI. Handily placed in Division Two with a game in hand over the teams above them, having won five out of their eight games played, which includes two cancellations and only the one defeat against Timberscombe.

They are also in the quarter-finals of the West Somerset League Cup, the furthest they have been for some seasons now, usually Stowey are first round specialists!

The 2^nd XI have picked up three victories in the games they have played (the league table on the website is wrong). There has been a lot of encouraging performances throughout and some pretty scary ones thrown in for good measure. With North Curry running away with the league, the runners-up spot will be between Stoke Saints, Dunster and Bishops Hull, Stowey will battle it out for the mid table positions, all of which Stowey will face during the second half of the season.

Right, that’s it for now. I would just like to mention that no one was hurt in my dropping of four full cider bottles on Saturday evening. It was upsetting at first seeing all that cider run down the drain, but alas an emergency supply was found, tins of Thatchers this time, and my night was a bit more of a happier one.

Week 8

“Snatching Victory from the Jaws of Defeat” is a phrase which describes Stowey’s victory over Huish Champflower last Thursday night in the West Somerset Cricket League Cup. And Stowey can thank Lee Villis for their progression into the quarter-finals of the competition.

Chasing 97 to win, Stowey slipped to 40-7 with all the big guns back in the preverbal hutch. So cometh the hour, cometh the man, Lee Villis take a bow, 47 not out, with great support from Greg Turner, Kai Baker and Mike Barrow, saw Stowey romp home by one wicket.

Nice on Lee, great to see it – in fact I left the ground when the sixth wicket fell, thinking I had better things to do. So it was great to learn via social media that Stowey had scrapped through to the quarters, now they face Bridgwater Pointers.

The 1^st XI was without a game on Saturday, so the focus as on the 2^nd XI who hosted undefeated North Curry. Despite the best efforts of the 2^nd XI, North Curry still remain undefeated.

Unfortunately I was out of the County on Saturday, so was unable to umpire, and most importantly missing out on Mandy’s wonderful teas (does it sound like I’m creeping? It certainly does!). But hey, there are plenty of home games left to tuck into them. Apparently I am led to believe that I didn’t miss much last week when Stowey played Crowcombe III’s at Holford, allegedly the teas weren’t that special, but hey, someone made the effort to provide them, so hats off.

Over Stowey 2^nd’s travel to Dunster on Saturday meeting them for the first time in a league fixture. I am personally looking forward to the trip, as having drove past their ground recently, it looks like it is in a great setting, I am sure Stowey will make a good account for themselves.

That’s all for now, have a tired brain, must be Thatchers time!

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.