We are mid May as I write – the sun is shining and surely the weather couldn’t be better for cricket? You might think so but not if you’re a Miller as, despite our best efforts, the season has started with three consecutive defeats – if I knew how to make a very sad face in print I would !
The run started in late April with a 39 run defeat to Clyst Hydon, who made a
not unbeatable 108-5 on a sticky track, but we just couldn’t get any momentum in our reply and despite Jon Pengelly making 26 not out off 24 balls and
putting the rest of us to shame, the season had begun with a crushing defeat. We then moved on to one of our favourite grounds to visit, down at Killerton in the grounds of the main house, a truly English village cricket setting. Broadclyst started with intent and, despite Mark Hammett taking a wicket in the first over, they found the wicket a little too comfortable and posted 175-4 , I can’t remember if we’ve ever conceded quite that many and yet we didn’t actually bowl that badly. On another day our 128-5 in response might not have been a bad effort but, as the evening moisture got into the outfield and slowed the ball down (yes honestly), so the target became less threatened. Some very nice pasties and doughnuts after the game, interesting combo, maybe partially explains why we aren’t a team of little skinny chaps that a gust of wind might blow over.
Coaver Club at County Hall in Exeter, home to Sunsets CC, was our next destination and not for the first time the artificial track didn’t suit our bowlers as, despite us setting the oppo a strong total of 145, they reached the target with time to spare! Valuable contributions from Dave Kittow (28), Ben Peters (26), Jon Pengelly (22) and Simon Kittow (28) put us in with a decent shout, but indifferent bowling from the very same Ben Peters – 0-37 off two overs (Ouch) and the same Jon Pengelly ( 0-29 off 2 overs) made life a little too comfy for the batters and we were happy to see the Sun – Set on that game.
Fingers crossed that the upcoming home games will see us overcome the psychological barrier that we clearly have developed about winning – I’m sure its more connected to us missing the pre match Thatchers and Ed’s excellent after match grub than anything that goes deeper but we may yet need a Sports Psychologist afore another month is out. Anyone keen to give a motivational team talk, please email me.
Upcoming home games with bar open are:
Branscombe on Friday 30th May, Coaver Gerries on Tuesday 3rd June and Talaton Inn on Friday 6th June.
Up the Millers!
Jon stay@tuckmill.co.uk
