Pearls before Swine

Mr Calm’s match report for the home game vs Wooler 11th July 2009

A Warm day at Rock, a large crowd, copious amounts of alcohol & food being consumed? Ah, Wooler must be in Town, er Village, erm, Hamlet.

After all the rain during the week, the pitch looked a bit crusty & Wooler’s skipper had no hesitation in inserting the home team. Rock welcomed back Kev of the Wilsas & he proceeded to the wicket promising a positive attitude following 5 weeks off sunbathing, oh, sorry, I mean recovering from serious injury! Inch-High thundered in from the knackered roller end & Kev positively edged his first ball to Clarkey, who made no mistake in pouching the catch. Kev walked back, positively blaming Mr Calm’s bat. PhilB & Rod of the Bells took the score on to 22 until “Don” Mclean joined the party & had Kim also caught behind for 9.

The Prof muttered his way to the crease & 3 balls later was muttering his way back after being hit on the back leg on the full, in front. Printed below is the law regarding LBW.

The striker is out LBW in the circumstances set out below.
(a)The bowler delivers a ball, not being a No ball and (b) the ball, if it is not intercepted full pitch, pitches in line between wicket and wicket or on the off side of the striker's wicket and (c) the ball not having previously touched his bat, the striker intercepts the ball, either full pitch or after pitching, with any part of his person and (d) the point of impact, even if above the level of the bails either (i) is between wicket and wicket or (ii) is either between wicket and wicket or outside the line of the off stump, if the striker has made no genuine attempt to play the ball with his bat and (e) but for the interception, the ball would have hit the wicket.

2. Interception of the ball
(a) In assessing points (c), (d) and (e) in 1 above, only the first interception is to be considered.

(b) In assessing point (e) in 1 above, it is to be assumed that the path of the ball before interception would have continued after interception, irrespective of whether the ball might have pitched subsequently or not.

3. Off side of wicket
The off side of the striker's wicket shall be determined by the striker's stance at the moment the ball comes into play for that delivery.

Well, let’s hope that is now clear, Plummy. Mr Calm gave The Prof a wide berth as he strode to the wicket, in fact, I think for a moment, he was following Andy’s satnav. A stand of 35 followed including a moment of high-comedy. Calm, frustrated by Bob’s superb line & length swiped at a leg-cutter which flew to the cover-point area. Inch-High, temporarily stopped dreaming about Snow White and hared after the ball, his running looking like a crazed bee, (albeit a short one), after being walloped by a rolled-up newspaper. Unfortunately, the vertically challenged schoolboy got nowhere near it & Williams managed to run 2. Rod managed to reduce Wooler to 10 when he smacked a cover-drive straight at Tom Burston’s eyebrow, which was promptly Burston all over the place. (OK, I know, cheap laugh. Sorry, Tom!). While Tom had to go to Casualty to find treatment our very own trained St John’s ambulance person, took photo’s of wild flowers. Mills replaced McLean after a tremendous spell of fast bowling. Calm, grateful for the fact he now did not need a sightscreen, despatched the League Secretary for a couple of healthy hits before young Bob finally got his reward, Sam catching Williams at square-leg. Bob then ran through the Rock order & claimed 6 for 41. Rod & Calm scored 36 & 32 respectively & Wazza also got into double figures. 108 all out in 35 overs.

Wooler’s reply began steadily but Clarkey got a low one & CJ had a reward for some fine bowling, then Stu was bowled by The Prof & Wooler were 28 for 2. Scully despatched Reggae’s first delivery into the rape field for the flattest & hardest hit 6 you could ever hope to see. He obviously had an urgent appointment to attend to because he set about the Rock bowlers with relish. Mind you, when was hit amidships by the skipper, we think he cancelled that appointment & made a different one. Now, young Kevin, as Bumble would tell you, wearing a box is a must! Wazza managed to bowl Ant, after he had scored 16 with 8 different bats! Les came in & looked on as Scully took out his pain & anger on the ball & finished the game 67 not out. Wooler won by 7 wickets & well deserved it. Many thanks to David Head & to Chris & David Barraclough for match ball sponsorship.

Pyjama Cricket? Pink Balls? Fielding restrictions? Bring it on, I say!!

Young Billy Gallon

Black Bullets, Berwick & Bad Bowling

Mr Calm’s match report for Berwick 2nds away 4th July 2009

Do you remember Black Bullets? You can still get them, apparently. I used to think they came from Berwick, ‘cos my Gran told me they did. Anyway, Rock might as well have been bowling with them as they visited the ever accommodating Berwick 2’s @ the Pier Field. Two miracles occurred before the toss; 1) It was a warm, sunny day & 2) I didn’t get lost!

Well, Bobby of the Bells lost the toss & the 2’s decided to make first use of a slow-looking Bunsen. Rod wasn’t the 3^rd captain of the season, Mr Silver’s Satnav was taking him via Galashiels. Anywho, we were all ready for the start & the Dunn boys opened the attack. Thomson & Mcreath (Sr) made hay, while Reggae’s run-up became ever more eccentric & Wazza was convinced we were playing on a pitch that was 3 yards too short! No matter, we still managed to drop several catches, including yours truly, who dropped a sitter that Tim “edged” off the middle of his bat. The Prof & Calm came into the attack & after Williams had beaten Mcreath (Sr) for lack of pace, the innings seemed to stall, Silver Platter continued the good work & it looked as if Rock wouldn’t be chasing that many. Reggae & the Prof took a late wicket apiece & the 2’s ended up on 183 for 3.

After a top tea, Rod of the Bells & PhilB marched out intent on knocking off the 4 an over we needed. Alas, it was not to be; as Rod & Phil both fell to young Emery, the Prof remembered not to let the ball hit his pads but was caught behind for seven, Ho-sin & Calm did not linger long and Ian of the Bells elegantly ran himself out. Nelson was given out, much to his chagrin, nadgers before wicket, Silver-arm was again run out; I think his satnav was sending him via McKay’s Household Furnishings on Hide Hill. We were soon crumpled in a heap at 89 all out, pointless, as usual, the remainder of the innings falling to Mr White’s “spin”. A couple of beers were taken & the advice from the opposing skipper ignored; we know we are rubbish & don’t really need to be told!

Special mention must be made of ChrisD & Ed the Ball, who fielded like demons. Unfortunately, they bat like rabbits but they are not the only ones. Berwick have a very young 1^st & 2^nd string attack & the club’s future looks bright and they must be congratulated on that. Practice Sessions at Rock are poorly attended & it shows; There is also an issue over how we practice: Batting/bowling on unprepared pitches does no-one any good whatsoever and catching is our biggest downfall at the moment. Unlike other clubs we are loyal to the League & do not want to go the way of Kelso/Red Row/Shilbottle, so it is time to pull together & become competitive again.

St Crispinian

Future of the Alnwick & District Cricket League

Today I received a rather depressing but also exciting email from the League Secretary. Whilst the League situation is perilous, the proposals for changes in structure and a “proper” Twenty20 competition are definitely a step in the right direction.

Email in full…

“Dear People,

As you are all aware the ADCL is now down to ten Clubs after Shilbottle's early season resignation and if we continue to lose Clubs the Leagues future will be in serious jeopardy, a fact acknowledged by the Northumberland Cricket Board’s development officer, Ian Wardle, who has been in contact regarding this worrying predicament as the NCB do not want to see a "grassroots" league disband and disappear all together.

The Management Committee has taken the decision that all of the Alnwick and District Cricket League Clubs shall give a statement of intent with regard to 2010 season, each Club must inform me by Friday, 14th August of their continued commitment to play in the League next season or their intention to apply for membership of another league.

We have made this unusual request in order that we may propose and if passed, implement some changes for next season, changes that the Management Committee hopes will improve, make the season more enjoyable for the players, provide more interest for all and sundry and most importantly keep the League going.

Ian Wardle brought these ideas to our last Management meeting, he will be attending the League General Meeting in September to talk about these proposals to your Club representatives, thus giving everyone time to think them over, comment and vote on any changes at the AGM.

Briefly the idea is, if we still have ten teams, an 18 week League season, with a new T20 competition to be played half way through. There will be nine weeks of League fixtures, then a month of T20 followed by the rest of the League program. The intention is to ask two more teams to join the T20 competition, all games would still be played on a Saturday.

TWENTY20 FORMAT

The T20 would comprise of 4 weeks of cricket, the 12 teams would be split into 3 geographical groups of 4 with each team playing each other once during first 3 weeks of programme.

Following the 3 games, teams will be then allocated into finals days:

PREMIER LEAGUE FINALS DAY

1st placed team with best record vs 2^nd placed team with best record

1^st placed team with second best record vs 1^st placed team with third best record

Final

With the same type of format used for a CHAMPIONSHIP and DIVISION 1 finals days, that way all teams get to play in a finals day.

Usual T20 rules will be used with 30 yard fielding circle, 15 yard catching circle, free hits, 4 overs per bowler etc.
NCB would provide coloured clothing to be used for the premier league finals days as well as pink balls to be used during the whole competition for all teams.
The proposed changes will be discussed in full detail at the General Meeting.
Please inform your Committee of this email at your earliest convenience regarding this most important of matters.

Yours Sincerely,

Stephen Mills
League Secretary.”

If anyone has any views on this please email us at rockcricketclub@yahoo.co.uk

Rock vs Wooler Brief Report

On a glorious day in front of “the members” and the gathered “press gang”, Rock played the usually competitive return fixture against Wooler. Debuting were the smart new team shirts!

Andy promptly lost the toss and we were inserted. Kev lasted just the single delivery as he attempted to put Aitchy in his place. Phil and Rod hung around until the middle order collapsed as Mick G suffered from the LBW law and Tony also lasted a single delivery. Mick W looked in good touch as he amassed 32. As is usual Andy was run out, Wayne swept and Chris J hit straight. Ending on 108 with only Rod and Mick W passing 30. Bob Matthewson bowling tidily for 6/41.

Wooler’s reply started well for the Rock boys as Chris J bowled beautifully. Clarkie done by the old “hit on the gloves in front of his face, one ball - only to get a low one 2 balls later” and lost his castle. Stu Blacklock also done by bounce to end his day. Wooler’s captain Scully then made it all look easy as everything he hit disappeared and brought up 50 in no time. The end came swiftly as the Dunn brothers suffered Scully’s wrath, though Andy got some revenge as he hit him in the crown jewels (found out later he doesn’t wear a box), I did wonder why he stayed down…

Scorecard

Away to Alnmouth next week, with high hopes of a good result!

Thanks to David Head and Chris & David Barraclough for being Matchball Sponsors.

Just a note on Sponsorship, due to the change in League fixtures the list in the Pub no longer applies so sponsorship of games will be decided by the Secretary. Thanks for understanding.

Team for 18th July vs Alnmouth 2nds

Away to Alnmouth & Lesbury 2nds
1pm meet for 1:30 start

1. A Gray
2. T Dunn
3. W Dunn
4. P Kelly
5. K Wilson
6. P Baston
7. I Bell
8. C Johnson
9. C Dunn
10. E Glassey
11. S. Gray

Res
I Donkin
H Glassey
M Wilson-Bell

Team for 11th July vs Wooler

Rock vs Wooler (home) 1pm meet for 1:30pm start
Tea for several and £25 for your new shirts.

1. A Gray *
2. M Gray
3. R Bell +
4. K Wilson
5. M Williams
6. P Baston
7. C Johnson
8. T Dunn
9. W Dunn
10. P Kelly
11. D Short

Res.
E Glassey
C Dunn
S Gray
A Woodcock

Shirts Now In!

Tony has FINALLY taken delivery of the new club shirts – yes I know we’re past half way in the season…

£25 is now due from all who ordered them, Tony will have them at training on Friday night and at the game on Saturday.

NO MONEY – NO SHIRTS!

Its Bad! Rock vs Berwick 2nds Brief Report

Whilst we’ve only come out with a victory once this season in every game we gave a good account of ourselves in all the losses, until this week…

Once all had navigated the back streets of Berwick and found Pier Field, Berwick had won the toss and had inserted themselves. The brothers Dunn opened the bowling without success, Wayne complaining about the length of the pitch as he continually sent down juicy full tosses. The runs flowed freely with a couple of chances offered but denied acceptance. Only the introduction of the spin twins of Gray & Williams slowed the rate as Berwick inexplicably shut up shop in the middle overs. In the end Berwick ended up on 183/3, a long way short of what they should have got. So we were all very positive as we demolished our tea.

The reply started briskly as Phil made mince meat of some wayward bowling. Once the top 3 were back in the hutch Ian & Tony tried to break their shackles when the spinners were introduced, though both struggled to dominate. Ian eventually run out as he ambled an unlikely second. At the fall of his wicket the lower order collapsed in a heap, though not helped by some questionable decision making in the umpiring ranks! But I’ll leave that for another day.

A final total of 89 all out in 25 overs just isn’t good enough, even with some experienced heads missing from the line-up.

A better performance against Wooler this weekend is required!

Thanks to Neville Dunn for this weeks Matchball Sponsorship!
Also Mr Calm’s full match report to follow at some point.

Team for 4th July vs Berwick II’s

Away to Berwick. 1pm meet for 1:30 start.

1 A. Gray*
2 T. Dunn
3 P. Kelly
4 K. Wilson
5 M. Williams
6 M. Gray
7 P. Baston
8 W. Dunn
9 I. Bell
10 R. Bell+
11 E. Glassey

On a separate note, will get around to posting full reports for the Embleton League game and the V.P. Cup match vs Warenford. Just been a little busy…