Tour Report

This year we added another cricketing outpost to our list of touring destinations. Following on from Taunton, Bristol and Malta, Canterbury was our destination of choice for 2007.  Staying at the Rutherford halls of residence on the huge Kent uni campus the lads arrived weary, after a long bus journey, on Monday evening. Our first practice was pencilled in for that evening so it was off to St Lawrence and Highland Court CC. The venue was amazing, set in the grounds of a country house and surrounded by orchards, together with  the thatched roofed pavilion which provided a stunning back drop on a (rare) summers evening. Practice went well and then it was off to Ramsgate for fish and chips. Many of the squad had a sleepless night. This was not as was thought at the time, anything to do with Caleb’s non stop talking, rather that some of our room’s were situated outside of a marquee that had an event going on till the early hours. Not the best preparation. 

Game 1 was back at St Lawrence CC. George D won the toss and elected to bat. We were soon in trouble. We managed only 117 for 9 in our 40 overs. We were playing a very disciplined side who bowled their lines well and fielded superbly. They also included a young spinner in the county squad J Lilley. I’ve mentioned his name as he bowled right arm off spin (including a doosra) and scored some valuable runs as well. Keep an eye out for him. Caleb Jones batted superbly for his 40. Alex Drakonakis on tour debut chipped in with 19 which included some 1 handed pull shots! We bowled and fielded tidily enough but St Lawrence CC got home with 5 wickets down and 9 overs to spare. We were beaten by the better team and it was no surprise to hear that they were county champions at under 15s. We stayed at St Lawrence CC that evening to watch a 20/20 match and Oli Bowden added the rice crispy cakes he had had at tea to his ‘Oliver’s 100 best teas’ list… 

Wednesday morning was spent at the St Lawrence ground Canterbury watching Kent play Surrey. The best part of that morning was spent discussing how many runs you get if you hit the tree! Apparently if you hit it on the full whilst it’s lying on the ground you score 7!

Game 2 on Wednesday afternoon was at Nonnington CC. Rob leach won the toss and we batted first again. We scored 132 for 9 in our 40 overs. No one batsman dominated but Oliver Bowden (using his crispy cake energy) top scored with 25 and Rob Leach scored a quirky 20 at the death. Nonnington were bowled out for 97 and we won convincingly with 10 overs to spare. Caleb proved an ideal foil for Oli Bristowe’s pace, George, Mike O’Connor and Dom all bowled well but Elliot was the star of the show with 8-4-9-4. Well bowled Monty. The day was ended by the players returning to the changing room to find that the ‘phantom changing room disrupters’ had made a very long washing line out of the boys clothes! After the carnage of the day before, when Alex D’s batting glove was found on the mini vans windscreen wiper, would the boys ever discover the identity of the culprits? Obviously it was nothing to do with me and JP!!

Game 3 on Thursday afternoon saw us playing at Folkestone under Elliot’s tutelage. Against a poor Folkestone side, who helped us out at short notice, we rattled up 191 allout in our 39 overs. Dan batted well for his 51, with other valuable contributions from Booth (30), Shiels (25), Bagshaw 24 and Woodage (22). On the bowling front we skittled Folkestone for 90. Wickets were shared between Bagshaw (3/25), Booth (4/28) and O’Connor (3/16). A handsome win brought to an end another good tour. 

So, what did we find out about the players? Rob Leach can turn his Ear a funny shape, Mike O’Connor is the quietest junior I have ever met, Elliot Woodage is Mr Lover man (shabba), Alex Drakonakis is from Chernobyl, Oli Bowden had the best scabs I’ve ever seen, Jack Bagshaw can’t make the manager hot drinks, Dom Booth has his own personal chauffer, Jamie is Kevin the teenager, Caleb NEVER stops talking, Oli Bristowe can sleep anywhere, Conor Shiels travels with a fridge, Dan Darbyshire is quality George D is gorgeous and has nice eyes (ah) and finally JP reads an unhealthy amount of magazines (which George lent straight after). 

My thanks go to Mike Woodage and Martyn Andrews for accompanying the tour again. Without these guys the tour wouldn’t go ahead. To Oli Bowden and JP, thanks for keeping us royally entertained and for all your efforts during the week. To Roy and Helen: the clubs most loyal supporters, thanks for coming down, and for providing us with the man of the match awards.  

I’ll look forward to doing it all again next year.

 

Pete Staley

 

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