It never ceases to amaze me how quickly the weather can change at this time of year- so from my piece last month when I was fretting about the damp weather, we have moved to a new situation whereby the Skipper/Plumber and I had a conversation yesterday about the most effective way to water the wicket as its starting to crack . For those who don’t know The Tale Valley is full of nature but not so full of topsoil – perhaps unsurprising on a flood plain !
The minute I put pen to paper our impressive record will, of course, be cursed , but I have to mention here that The Millers have now won their first eight games of the season on the bounce – completely unheard of in these parts. First up we travelled to Nynehead , near Wellington, where the oppo posted 75-6 ( Shane Tout 2-5) , Millers replying with 76-2 ( Jon Pengelly 26 Not, Jason Wood 24 not) to win with 6 overs to spare. We then welcomed Blacksmiths and Artizans in our first home game of the season, the visitors batting first to record a highly respectable 123-9 ( D Noyes 66 Not , Steve clegg 2-11) ; in reply The Millers made it home for the loss of three wickets, with Mark Hammett making 17 not out, Simon Kittow 22, Neil Chambers 24 not out and Dan Rugg 30 not out. The Met Office struggled to 52-9 with Jason Wood taking 2-5 and Ben Norris also 2-5 , Millers making it home with Jason Wood again leading the way on 25 not out, supported by David Kittow with 20.
We were then able on a balmy Friday evening to thank David and the team from Payhembury Provisions for their support during the turbulent summer of 2020, by feeding and watering them as they watched a cracking game against “Talaton Inn” – another local rival ! Talaton posted a respectable 127-6 , but with debutant Sam Franks in fine form ( 30 not) Millers got home with an over to spare. This game was also notable for a single member of the oppo who clearly had no idea ( whatsoever) as to how to behave on a cricket pitch contriving to wind up the previously unwindupable ( Mrs Hammett- is that a word?) Jason Wood and causing something of a storm – all quite funny after the event 😊 Jase has thankfully reverted to character, just when we thought we had a new Mr Angry to take over from the previous holder of the title (no names, ahem Mark).
A Further win followed against The Geriatrics , runs again from David Kittow and Jon Pengelly, and a game notable for the first appearance in a Millers shirt of a member of the fairer sex, Zara, unsurprisingly a member of the Kittow clan although not sharing the surname thankfully ( four in the squad is already too many, luckily at least two are normally injured), bowled and fielded superbly, including a stunning catch and knocking a somewhat surprised looking batsman’s stumps over. No doubt she will go on to great things.
Then on Friday we took on touring team The Mighty Greys from Brighton and chased down 130 with Sam Franks again impressing with 42, alongside stalwarts Wood ( he’d calmed down by Friday) and Jon Pengelly. Great to see Ben Peters back on English soil after six months working in New Zealand, whilst this week sees the return of Will Wood , after what must have been a tricky first year at Liverpool Uni – welcome home you two. The average age of the squad has been halved in a single week 😉
Games coming thick and fast now , see our fixture list on the village website , why not join as a Social member, you don’t have to go as far as Taunton to watch some high quality (ish) cricket and have a pint.
Jon
Tale Millers Cricket Club
