On a day when the balmy hot weather became the talking point for the nation and England kicked a pig’s bladder around the Wobbly Stadium, Bayshill CC played a proper game. That game? Dominoes! No, that for the younger reader is, my friend, a joke. Cricket is of course the answer. (See original Bayshill entrance test below)
To the game. Nobbi Pierce won the toss once more, showing that he can not only captain the mighty Bays, but could the way things are going become one of the Bays’ greatest tossers in the history of the club! A high accolade indeed.
Having chosen to wield wood, Nobbi sadly and most uncharacteristically went first ball to a catch by Gray. Horner (Virtual Pipe Smoker & Playground Authority) also went cheaply for just 7. At this point a Pied Wagtail made a welcome entrance, to wag a bit here and a bit there in the outfield. Motacilla Alba came the muffled cry from the pavilion.
Steve Pritchard then steadied the ship, with a scholarly 52* including 10 fours. Alex Van Dyke had a quick fire 25 before falling to Dunn, bowled. Tom Liley then hit an unbeaten 40, with Paul Saunders rolling back the years with a great knock of 49. The only question the spectators had, was why the pair didn’t try to run a 2 to enable Paul to reach his half-century? We’ll never know! Bayshill finished on 218, exhausted from all the drinks breaks and associated sanitation hiatuses. Their 35 overs seemed like 50 or so.
In reply Westbury, fielding a mixed team of experience and younger players, lost some early wickets. Cueto and Saunders going relatively cheaply. A Gray then cracked a quick 51 before retiring after two big sixes. The Harding brothers (there were 2 of them – nothing to do with Kenny Rogers) were the pick of the Bayshill’s bowlers picking up 2 apiece. Younger Alex being top bowler this week with 2/35 & Michael just second with 2/45. Rod (made from girders) Mc Leod, back after his split ring problem, showed that he had fully recovered with 3 catches and a wicket as a bowler. Captain I Dunn made a steady 44, finding the Bayshill fielders on the boundary not to his liking, before retiring near the end to allow younger players a bat. The game came to a slow and near controversial conclusion in the bright sunshine. However, Fran Stirrup covered himself in glory, by buying all the Bays players and spectators a drink in the clubhouse. We raise our glasses to you Fran, with hip hip hurrah!
Bayshill 218/4
Pritchard 52/51 10&0
Van Dyke 25/29, 3&1
Liley T 40/54,5&0
Saunders P 49/41,9&0
Westbury on Severn 193/7
A Gray 51
I Dunn 44*
Harding M 7/0/45/2
Harding A 5/0/35/2
McLeod 3 catches
Historical fact: In the early years of Bayshill CC, this difficult test used in the Common Entrance Examination was borrowed by the club for use with prospective players. The idea was simple. If they could figure out the answer, then perhaps they would have the desired skills and were of sound mind and body and therefore able to represent the team. After two or three years the test was abandoned, due to the fact it was deemed too difficult.
Your roving reporter – Ivor Thurston