I quite enjoy a BLT and packet
of salt and vinegar square crisps

This weekend’s game is fast approaching and it looks like we peaked early on the Tea’s front last week – back to the meal deal, although might sort out a slice of cake for myself as well.

The game is away against Ferndown 4s at their Dolmans Farm pitch. This is a venue that is neither town nor country; it is a purpose built cricket ground off a main road – in an out of the way setting surrounded by trees without the beauty you get in a proper ‘village’ setting. I like playing there. It has two pitches and even the second one that we will be playing on is well kept, both the square and outfield have always been in very good condition whenever I have seen it. There is not a changing room for the second pitch, which is something I am not to fussed by as pulling on a white top and pair of trousers in the car is no big deal. There is however a good pavilion next to the first pitch, which is right next to the second one so very close. This has decent toilets and a bar with decent beer on tap so all the essentials are sorted. It also has a very idiosyncratic touch of a socking great electricity pylon between the two pitches. Whilst this can be objectively described as ‘ugly’, it does add a touch of oddness that is sort of essential when regarding all things cricket. I think they should embrace this more and make it their club logo – a pylon crowned by an electric bolt. Mind you, I have never made a living as a logo designer so whadda I know?  

As to the quality of the opposition; Ferndown 4s came dead last in the 6^th division last year, only not getting relegated as there is nowhere to get relegated to. This may lead you to think that there is a decent chance of a victory. However, as previously outlined, a clubs fourth or fifth team can change quality quite quickly from one year to the next – as new youngster come through, so we can take nothing for granted. They did lose their first game, mainly due to an even worse batting collapse then we suffered; they did however turn in a decent bowling performance. So my honest review of the game is that we can approach the game with confidence but really need to avoid cocky. If our middle order fires as it can and the tail chip in we should do well.

There is an elephant in the room about Saturday’s game that I have not yet mentioned. Or, not so much in the room, more an elephant walking around outside with a very large umbrella, looking up at the clouds tsk tsking about the possibility of rain. The forecast, whilst not disastrous, is showing a bit of a game of roulette with the clouds, with possible showers. Will we get hit by rain, or will the showers dance around us? Both things seem to be possible. What idiot came up with a game that could only be played when it was sunny in England? Makes as much sense as someone in Kuwait inventing ice hockey. So, game on for the first win of the season on Saturday, or possibly not. Bloody cricket eh?