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Added On: 24/04/2007 09:23:46

Nottingham Cricket Tour Report 2007

Well……not quite sure where to start this years report, but we’ll begin with the boring bits!! After beginning in the traditional Trent Bridge Inn (TBI), we ventured around the city centre that evening in search of more beer. As usual Stuart Smith wanted to drink warm beer, so we went to Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem ("The oldest Inn in Britain"). We then retired for what was to be an “early” night!

We played Nottingham Trent University on Friday. We only had nine players that day, and the Uni were kind enough to lend us a couple of players. At this point, my thoughts are “If only I knew what was to happen!!” For a change, I won the toss and decided to have a bat on a good wicket, only to find that my opening batsman had gone missing with a middle order batsman! The truth is, we joined the Uni boys for a pre match drink, and Smithy and Mark Humphries decided that three pints was not sufficient! Therefore, the batting line up changed quickly and Will Lewis hit a fluent 53 before being retired. Others contributed but not with any real scores to mention. Mark then decided to join us towards the end of our innings and batted at 11. Never seen him bat so well! Next time Mark, have five pints before playing and you’ll score plenty!! We ended our innings on 138ao.

We then proceeded to opening the bowling with sheer pace. Paul Lewis and Craig Whipps began gently, followed by various others turning their arm over! You guessed it……we lost!! The students reached the target in the 32nd over. Towards the end of the game, Stuart decided to show his face, and probably other parts of his anatomy!! After more drinks with the hosts, we went out for an evening around the Lace Market area before going back to the hotel around 3am. Stuart decided to continue drinking with his new mate til 6am……at least!!

By now, our opening bowlers Tom York and Dave Fuller had joined us on tour so we expected a stronger performance against Bottesford on the Saturday. Again our opening batsman was not to be seen. This time in though, he was still in bed and not really feeling too sharp! “I’ll join you later” was his last words before leaving for the fixture.

This time we bowled first, but the “opening bowlers” were unable to get a breakthrough. It was up to Craig Whipps to get us on the board, followed by a wicket for Will Lewis and two wickets for yours truly (who ended up as leading wicket taker on tour with 3!) Give me that new ball this season!! Bottesford ended up on 177-6 of their allotted overs. Oh…and they took our new ball, and provided us an awful Readers ball which had half the ball bursting out of the seam! What a generous gesture!!

We then batted with relative ease, as we made a positive start. Tom York hitting 29 before getting out to an extraordinary catch at cover, and Dave Fuller with an LBW that was so plumb, he almost walked!! Carl Cudden and I seemed at ease at the wicket putting on 34 before Carl was out for a hard hitting 24. This triggered the traditional Bungay collapse, and we were bowled out for 113, in a game which we should have won the comfortably. (Batsman take note…we need to build partnerships in the coming season if we’re to achieve our goals.)

Then we proceed to the bar for the customary match fines. Funny how the kitty was always so full!! After all fines were made, we went on to ring our Chairman to settle his fines. We asked Stuart to propose an offer to us, at which point he suggested £20. This was promptly turned down with laughter by both sets of players. Eventually a bid of £50 was accepted and paid into the kitty!! Imagine going on a cricket tour, and never playing a match!!

Later that evening, we had our team meal in the Bombay, and very nice it was too. Thanks Stuart for your contribution!! Upon making it back to the hotel, we promptly “visited” Dave Fuller in his room. As he wanted an early night, we all charged in to his room to his shock horror. The look on your face was priceless Dave!!

Anyway, to sum up this years event, I think it will go down in history as the Stuart Smith Drinking Tour! Our appreciation to someone who even the hotelier called an alcoholic!!

A mention should also go to the Nerds……who contributed one run between them in two matches!! One must add that Aaron was given a credit for his fielding performance on Saturday. Keep this up mate!!

Hope you all enjoyed the tour. Looking towards a tour abroad next time lads. Some reason, Amsterdam seemed popular when mentioned!!

Tony Chang
Tour Manager

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