I actively hate the summer of 2021, now. It’s shit. Week after week, we are either not playing at all, or scrambling matches together in between downpours. Only twice, versus Steep and East Woodhay, have the First XI played without fear of a wash-out.
Tonight, the cup game v Overton was all too predictably cancelled and the forecast for the weekend is shocking, once again. To make it worse, our attempts at staying in County Two have been curtailed by the fact that games against the only teams below us, were cancelled. The table doesn’t lie but it didn’t help our cause when we couldn’t play against teams that we had a chance of beating.
It has been worse for the Two’s and worse still, for the Third XI, who often play on uncovered pitches that can’t be rescued from the incessant rain. Bizarrely, we have only had to cancel one Wednesday night training session. The same can’t be said for the colts, who lost about 5 Monday sessions on the trot. When they did finally get one session in, it was so wet and miserable, most of the volunteers considered resigning.
Everyone looks forward to summer and the enjoyment cricket brings, so it is little wonder tempers have been tested at all levels of the club, at times. As the chairman, I find it all a bit deflating, but I am also impressed at the resilience of members who are so determined to get games on. The First XI have played more games than anyone else in our league but in a bitter twist of fate due to the average points system, this may be our downfall.
The Fixtures
So, we move into this week’s fixtures more in hope than expectation. Even the most upbeat of weather apps look about as appealing as a tinder date with Ann Widdicombe. The First XI entertain in-form OTT & Romsey, who are in a buoyant mood after 5 successive wins have propelled them to safety and beyond.
The Oaks welcome back strike bowlers, Stef Kaltner and Neil Robinson as well as opening bat, Gerry Dique, in what looks a competitive team. It will need to be, to get anything from this fixture, but with additional training, all the lads seem well up for it.
I’m not one for predictable cliches, but the lads are now at the stage where they are drinking in the last chance saloon, and whilst she is not singing yet, the fat lady is clearing her throat. The results must change, and they must change fast, or our schoolboy dreams of maintaining County 2 cricket will be all over, red rover. Told you I wasn’t one for cliches.
The Two’s go to Littleton with a strong team, courtesy of the First XI being at full strength. They will be looking for some bouncebackability after last week’s lacklustre showing versus Herriard.
It’s been an odd season for The Two’s, who have become one of the best ‘we look good on paper’ teams in Hampshire, if not the world. A run of three successive victories appeared to have shown some much-needed momentum; hopefully last week was just a blip.
With Mike Bryant and Ian Bennett in the side, that bit of extra aggression and fire in the ol’ belly will be a big boost.
The Third XI entertain Old basing 4’s but I can almost guarantee that without covers at Newfound, this game will be off. I hope I am wrong as it was fantastic to see them get a morale boosting win last week, after a run of cancellations that have created havoc with their season.
One Last Push
Whatever the case, we must push on through August and hope for better days and a bit of late summer sunshine. The Two’s and Three’s now need to play their part in pushing along the First XI as hard as possible in their bid to survive. The next month needs to be even more of a club effort than before. If we give it our best shot, we can still stay in the league and build for next year. If the weather curtails us, there is not a lot we can do about it.
On we must travel.
Up The Oaks!
