Tour Report
2006 saw the sections 3rd tour to
Bristol and 8th junior tour since 2000. 4, 40 overs per side, games
had been arranged against sides from the North Somerset and Bristol
and district junior leagues.
The journey down on Monday was as entertaining as ever and our new
digs at Goldeney Halls of Residence in Clifton provided the lads
with many more things to do on site.
Game 1 on Tuesday saw us travelling to Downend CC. W G Grace was
born just over the road and provided a historic backdrop to the day.
On a ground that was very short to the church side a high scoring
game was expected. Batting first Brooklands amassed a mammoth 254/3
in 40 overs. Will Pidgeon and Elliot Woodage steadied the ship after
Ollie’s early run out and both scored 50’s. Will’s 58 took 92
minutes and 74 balls with Elliot’s 64*spanning 125 minutes and 85
balls and signalled a return to form. The major knock was played by
Doug Whyley who smashed 88 off just 55 balls, his 50 came off 35
balls! Downend replied with 186 allout with Dom Booth (3/21), Mike
Roberts (3/28) and George Drakonakis (2/7) the pick of the attack.
Game 2 on Wednesday saw us make the trip to Cheddar, a ground which
we had visited on the previous 2 tours and never won. Batting 1st we
amassed the highest score on the ground all season with 194/6.
Elliot again set the foundation with 53 off 85 balls, but John
Pearson’s knock of 79 from just 46 balls (50 in 34 balls) took the
game away from Cheddar. In reply Cheddar limped to 94 allout with
Mike Roberts recording the extraordinary figures 7 – 6 – 4 – 6 with
the 4 conceded runs coming from 1 scoring shot in his 1st over!
Game 3 on Thursday was against Cleeve who included a number of
players from other local clubs and had county players in there
ranks. We again batted first and found ourselves at 41/6 with a
rejigged batting order. Elliot (26), Ric Daley (31) and Mike Roberts
(24) all chipped in and enabled us to rally to 131/9 in 40 overs.
Cleeve though were just too strong for us and after a good start we
lost control and eventually Cleeve cruised in only 3 down with 13
overs to spare.
Game 4 on Friday saw us at Nailsea. Batting 1st again we found
ourselves 0 – 1 off 1 ball as Mike was clean bowled by there West of
England under 15s opening bowler! Wickets tumbled at regular
intervals until John Pearson and Ollie Bowden got together and added
119 in 15 overs. John Pearson’s 133* will live long in the memory.
It was constructed beautifully, chanceless and the last 60 or so
runs were brutal. John’s 50 came off 41 balls and he reached his 100
just 27 balls later! Well done JP. Ollie’s contribution to the
partnership was 21 but in the context of the game this was a crucial
knock for the team. Special mention also here for Rob Leach who
faced the West of England bowler late in his spell and helped
himself to 19*. Our final total of 240/8 proved too much for Nailsea
who limped in on 170/7. Jamie Andrews was the pick of the bowlers
with 2/18 and he was ably supported by Alex Lett, Mike Roberts and
Elliot Panesar(!) who all chipped in with wickets.
So another memorable tour came to its end and we learnt a number of
things about the squad. Doug Whyley and Ollie Bowden can eat for
England… as well as Scotland, Wales and Ireland. Dominic Booth prays
after he takes catches. George Drakonakis is actually playing for
Brooklands under the Kolpak ruling. Rob Leach has been everywhere
and looks like a meercat. Alex Lett no longer wears black socks to
play cricket in. Luke Maitra makes a great cup of tea. Ric Daley’s
ear ring is from Matalan. Mike Roberts still has unfeasibly long
arms. Will Pidgeon is a mischievous cheeky chappy. Jamie Andrews
shouldn’t forget his Ipod. JP hits an unfeasibly large ball and
Elliot wants to be Monty Panesar….
Thanks from me to Martyn Andrews and Mike Woodage for all there hard
work but especially there breakfast’s. They are great sports and
help make the tour the fun that it is.
Next year will see the 7th running of the summer tour. I hope its as
much fun as this one was.
Pete Staley
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