After the
gloom and mizzle of Friday, we were blessed with a glorious day for this most
splendid of annual shambles. Clashes
with Glastonbury and various school sports/prize days meant we were perhaps not
the overflowing cornucopia of Rascals of yore but, nevertheless, there was a
fine showing of both old faces and new. The
day was made extra special by the presence of Jennet, all the way from
Edinburgh, Andy Hobsbawm mit kids and Katie Berger, sporting latest fella.
Any plans
that the foolish chairman/groundsman/secretary/bankroller/chef might have had
about eating at 1.15pm, were firmly quashed, as, by 12.30, the ground still
resembled Death Valley, with only the two Beattie’s sheltering from the cruel
sun in their canvas-sided wagon, en route to a new life in California. But, as
ever, in dribs and drabs, players and guests arrived, and by 1.30 I felt it
safe to slam in the lamb. By this time
Mr. Grigson already had had to return home once after leaving a bag full of
valuables in his driveway (…it never rains…).
This was not only most grievous for him, but also deprived us all of the
annual carnival that is the Grigson Gazebo Erection Spectacular. Tim’s rather anodyne (in comparison) ‘pop-up’
jobbie – for which we thank him – took it’s stead.
It should
be noted that the we received word, at about midday, that Teddy, skipper of the
side that bears his name, was on the Edgware Road, stuck behind a Gay Pride
march. The jury is out as to whether it
is considered more fortuitous to be stuck behind or in front of a Gay Pride
march. By 1.30pm he had made it to
Clapham Common where he was able to put into practice all that was learnt in
the previous hour and a half. Sadly he was inevitably destined to miss out on
his grub (I did save some for him).
Lunch,
including Clifton salad (a bit like Caesar but with more suspension – arrgghh!)
and Eton Mess, was considered a succes by all, and by 3.30 there was runour afoot
of imminent cricket. With still no Teddy
it was decided by Club Captain Neilo that I should skipper the Skilbeck XI
until such time as he arrived. I happily
accepted, not knowing the tsumani of decisions that was only five minutes
away. Neilo and I tossed on the square
(pre-match traditional display put on for the ladies) which I won and decided
to chase. Once back at the pavilion I
had already forgotten what ‘to chase’ meant, and had to be reminded on a number
of occasions whether the Skilbecks were batting or in the field.
A twenty five over match duly got underway by
about 4.00pm, with Ross and Richardson opeing for the Grigsons. Luckily, Teddy
turned up after only a couple of overs (and a 4½ hour drive), thus lifting the
miasma of flux that beleagered the Chairman’s decision making processes. R
& R moved along nicely until Paul smacked hard a ball which was very well
caught by Mick Coyle at extra cover. A
brace of Cliftons were fairly hastily dispatched (a fine stumping by Will Drew
off Will Lund, and an excellent ‘bowled’ by the 12 year old spinner Angus
Balfour – get the contract signed!).
This
brought in Kit Ross to join Phillip who, all the while, had been steadily
piling on the runs (and spectacularly missing fielders with Angel-raping hooks
and shanks) and soon had to retire with a splendid 26. Kit, sometime later, followed suit with an
admirable 28, having been aided by Neilo and Neil McIndoe, who achieved 23 and
18 respectively. Denning at No 8 scored a career-defining 9 before being caught
out. Tim Prrke and Freddie McIndoe then
ran out of time without losing their wickets, with the score on 137. It should be noted at this stage that, with
score book infront of me, the Grigson XI appear to have been allowed 26 overs.
To whom we allot blame shall for ever remain a mystery.
Stand out
performances with the ball being Will Lund, 2 for 12, and young (12y/o) Angus,
2 for 16.
Oondles of lovely cakes were then devoured
(remember no sarnies at the MMMM) and a quick turn around saw The Chairman
(!!!) and Will Drew opeining the batting for the Skilbecks. My skipper had
issued me with strict instructions to score 30 (the maximum possible with a 25
run retirement quota) but not too long later I was apologising to him having
retired at 28. Will, however, was not to
be undercooked and, having held back runs whilst on 24, smacked a fine six and
retired on 30. This opening partnership
set up a really good base for the rest of the side and, despite Tarqs, Angus
Balfour and Robin going fairly cheaply, Nick Cox and Teddy dug in and scored
freely; Nick retiring on 26 (two sixes)
and Teddy, supported by Mick Coyle, seeing us through to vitcory with his own
24 n/o and with 7 overs in hand.
Performance
in the field was championed, emphatically, by Kit Ross who was not only the
only bowler to achieve a maiden (two of the them) but two two wickets and
conceded only two runs. Together with
his batting performance of 28 retired, this would have ensured Man of the Match
status, should such a thing have existed. Very well done that man!
A
thoroughly excellent session in the Bell ensued, where there was not one moan
about bar staff, and we all shared Toby’s Scotch egg, after hiding it. Jen presented the cup to Teddy and we all
toasted everything and everyone.
Huzzah foir The Rascals. A thoroughly lovely
day………….
The Chairman
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