The Rascals vs The Valley of Love July 6th 2013

Sadly this Saturday was yet another clash with various sports days/prize-givings etc.  As a result there were only 4 Sussex/Kent Rascals, with the addition, of course, of The Treasurer.  Jim had to rope in a few locals as well as his eldest Tom.  However, we were blessed with a belter of day from start to finish.

Whatever was to transpire later, The Rascals won the pub entrenchment cup, being the first to arrange in any numbers.  Philip Richardson, who had sneezed earlier in the week and put his back out, nobly made his way down from London by train to attend to the score book and with Fred and Felix Keeling present it felt very much like a regular turnout at the Bell/Bull.

Amazingly we all managed to get to the delightful Linkenholt pitch by 2.30pm and were under way by a tad after 3.00pm.  With no Neilo (in Croatia filming Feast of Boobs) or Teddy (three line whip family ‘do’) it fell upon a somewhat baffled Chairman to guide the Rascals.  This entailed swatting up on, not only the names of the all the fielding positions, but also the names of those whom Jim had kindly sourced to fill the side.  I now understand the headaches that are associated with captaincy, which appear to induced by a great deal of maths and memory.  The toss was at least one decision I did not have to make, as it was deemed appropriate, due to some late VoL members (sports days/prizegivings), that we fielded first.  Despite the two Keeling’s enthusiasm as opening bowlers, and the loss of the VoL opener with the total on 12, it soon became clear that the taking of further wickets and stemming the run rate was going to prove hard (some dropped catches not assisting). Batsmen numbers 2, 3 and 4 duly retired having reached 50 (18 fours and 6 sixes) and by the time the innings had been reduced to 28 overs from the original 30 (playing havoc with my bowling strategy and increasing my mathematical angst) The Valley had posted a total of 225! Bugger was it hot too………

A jolly good tea (splendid cakes) was washed down with very welcome cold beers (and tea) and it wasn’t long before Jamie Carter and Alec Cramsie took to the crease.  Unfortunately, after six overs we were three down with only 20 on the board.  Despite everyone scoring a few runs (except Ant…..sorry Ant!) and a dogged stand by Felix Keeling, the ‘hill to climb’ was overwhelming and we found ourselves all out for 146 with three overs to spare.  Not the most auspicious skippering debut…….

There is no doubt that The Valley have some very good cricketers, so, Rascals, next year, we need to step up to the mark. Caaan you Dig it?

Huge thanks must go to the supremely generous Ruherfords for putting on yet another super evening where we all wanted for naught

Your Chairman