Well after a very dry April there was something predictable about the start of the cricket season, so after a couple of dry but somewhat chilly weeks we are now in the middle of a damper spell. That should not be confused with the dampening of enthusiasm among our squad for whilst we have only managed two games to date they have resulted in a 100% away record, with wins coming at Clyst Hydon (when it felt like about minus 5) and down on the Jurassic Coast at Branscombe, when it was a bit warmer. Whilst we haven’t yet been trusted to change indoors without spreading the Covid or indeed welcome spectators without inflicting the dreaded pandemic upon them , those heady days are just around the corner as I write. This afternoon the bar pumps are being ignited – pretty much an
essential for our home games.
Without any doubt the finest wicket we play on is also our shortest trip of the season, Clyst Hydon. For a relatively small, albeit well established, League Club the track is a batsman’s dream and so it proved with The Millers racking up 150-5 (J Wood 27 Not, S Tout 25 Not, R Cook 25 Not, D Rugg, 24 Not, M Hammett 13) before Clyst threatened our total but eventually fell a little short on 136-6; wickets for Steve Clegg, Riley Burgess, Jason Wood and Si Kittow. Also noteworthy was an extremely agile diving catch by keeper David Kittow, test match standard I’d say!
We followed this up with a trip to the East Devon coast and the only level piece of ground in
Branscombe – in fact it doubles up as the air ambulance landing pad. On a slowish wicket Branscombe Ravens (not sure why Ravens- didn’t see any) looked both comfortable and confident as they cruised to 136-4 with Ralph Cook taking 2-5 with his seamers. The Millers struggled early on as four wickets fell in the first six overs but then rallied with some decent hitting from Neil Chambers, Dan Rugg and the veteran chairman to reach 139-6 with a couple of overs to spare. Neil had kindly brought some beers so it rounded off a good evening.
Hopefully between now and you reading this we will manage to get a few more games in, but the first game in June (spectators allowed and bar definitely open!) is on Wednesday 2nd June at home to The Met Office, followed by Friday 4th June at home to Talaton Inn, normally a good local derby. Might even be a tad warmer by then.
We welcome all newcomers, whether social or playing, and are there are no admission charges on the turnstiles.
See you at silly mid wicket
Jon
Tale Millers CC
