Annual Tour

Tour Report 2009

The early wakening sportsmen gathered their thoughts to the accompaniment of a rat-tat-tat of rain on their windows and a wailing of the wind. But not just another British Summer`s day - it really is the day of the Cricket Tour - at last.

From all parts of Britain the eager tourists set sail, with hatches battened down and hope in their hearts. A brief respite in the rain raised hopes as the teams gathered for the annual Scotland V England football challenge. With Big Matty, Ian Parkinson and Robert Sweeney guesting for Meadow the following line-up took the field. Brown, defence: Sweeney, Campbell (captain), Matty, Wharton, midfield: M Gass, McLean, Lee, Parkinson and Carrick with Broun – the lone striker. Supersubs who, like their form were off-and-on - were Gibson and A Gass. After a calamitous catalogue of errors by both sides around a bouncing ball in the box, Withnell took the lead. A fairly tight first half saw Meadow go into the second half with the score 0 - 2.

Facing the wind and sheeting rain, in the second half, Meadow struggled to string enough passes together to pose a threat and eventually were overwhelmed by a speedy and young Withnell who ran out winners, approximately 9-0. The deficit would have been much more but for the heroics of Stephen Brown, in goal, for which Withnell awarded him their man of the match prize. In the Bull`s Head, after the match, skipper Gerry Campbell awarded their MOM award to hat-trick hero, Ritchie. For Meadow their top goalscorer equalled their bottom-scorer and only Ian P and skipper Gerry attempted to encourage the team to simple-pass their way up the field. Most panicked in the teeth of the hurricane and kicked the ball the way they were facing, which, it was agreed afterwards, may have contributed to the heavy defeat.

Consensus in the Bull`s Head was to abandon the afternoon`s cricket practice match to avoid another drubbing - from the elements. This proved wise counsel indeed as another torrential outburst at 4pm would surely have curtailed any game – halfway through. Ewan`s Football Score Predictions competition was instigated in the pub adding spice to glimpses of Sky Sports News throughout the afternoon. Eventual clear winner was Duncan Carrick with Scotty McLean in second place.

One group of seven spent the afternoon in Preston on a Real Ale Trail of historic pubs, the highlight being the half pint restriction on “Old Tom” because of strength. This does not refer in any way to Mr Maybank.

After a quiet (Ali was not there) evening meal together in the Wheatsheaf, Croston, everyone took a relatively early night to prepare for the rigours of Sunday. We were joined for the meal by new tourists, Peter Harriman and Martin Rawlings after they had put in a hard day shift at the coal-face.

Sunday morning dawned grey but dry. First pair at breakfast – surely a record, unless they were just in, were Scotty and Michael?

Fourteen enthusiasts presented themselves at Pleasington to take on Withnell, at cricket this time and hopefully to gain revenge. Skipper Vincent Broun put Withnell Utd CC in to bat in a twelve-a-side contest of 24 overs each. Harry elected to score/umpire and Neil Gibson stood down.

IMCC Bowler Overs Runs Wickets Martin Rawlings 3 24 2 Peter Harriman 2 (1md) 1 2 Stephen Brown 2 19 0 Vincent Broun 3 16 1 Scott McLean 2 13 1 John Sharratt 2 10 0 Alan Gass 2 7 3 Duncan Carrick 2 6 2 Michael Gass 2 9 1 Tom Maybank 2 14 0 Steve Lee 2 6 1

Sam Munns scored 30 n.o. and 10 n.o., Jason scored 19, bowled by the slow one from Michael and Big Matty scored 8. Withnell`s bowling was not quite so good as their football and they failed to get Meadow all out in the 24 overs. Duncan Carrick and Michael Gass did not bat.

Significant scorers for Meadow were A Gass 33 retired n.o. Lee 20 n.o. Harriman 19 n.o. and Sharratt 11 - bowled. Meadow just failed to reach the posted 148 in the 24 overs but Vincent claimed a moral victory as Withnell`s eleven wicket total had been surpassed.

Man of the match for Withnell was Sam Munn for batting well and direct hits at the stumps which included Scotty`s wicket. “Is that allowed?” – Mr McLean queried.

The party raced over to Euxton for the next big match, leaving Ian Irving and Alan Gass to socialise with Withnell Utd CC at a new venue, Simeon Stuttard`s Golf and Country Club – near Abbey Village.

At Euxton the party was joined by Neil Irving and Ali Bryden and a very impressive looking Meadow side took the field. Team comprised the nine bowlers shown below, as well as Steve Lee and Ali Bryden.

Skipper Campbell put Euxton into bat and a great bowling and fielding display saw the home team struggle to reach 133 in the allotted 34 overs.

IMCC Bowler Overs Runs Wickets Gerry Campbell 4 9 1 John Sharratt 4 5 1 Martin Rawlings 4 6 0 Neil Irving 4 10 2 Harry Potter 4 17 1 Vincent Broun 3 31 1 Peter Harriman 5 8 1 Stephen Brown 3 19 1 Michael Gass 4 11 0

The only breaking of the stumps was from Stephen Brown who took the wicket of top-scorer T Farmer. Vincent Broun took the prize wicket of Sweeney caught by Stephen at about third slip.

Scorers for Euxton in 133 were T Farmer, 58, Sweeney(Anthony), 24 and Johnson, 10.

Meadow set about the total presented, with a cautious start with openers Bryden and Harriman getting their eye in. Ali eventually perished on 17 from the bowling of A Thornton Snr. John Sharratt joined Peter in the middle and scored a lively 7 before running himself out courtesy of smart work by A Thornton Jnr.

Neil Irving joined Peter at the crease and steadily chipped away at the total. Skipper Campbell`s arms were whirling as he encouraged an injection of pace to get ahead of the run-rate. Neil Irving in particular hit a few balls from ground level – croquet style - to get us back in contention. Neil was eventually bowled on 34 by fast bowler Farmer. Steve Lee replaced him and the match was won very soon after thanks in the main to the undefeated innings of Peter Harriman who scored 51 not out. His great knock included six fours, all round the ground.

Farewells were said to friends at Euxton, especially Sweeney and Darren Millward, the Club manager, who had arranged our excellent halftime spread – for all our party. . Robert Sweeney was congratulated on choosing to play on the losing side – twice in two days. Farewells also dispensed to tourists who had to return home on Sunday evening with assurances of meeting again next year.

The remaining party took in a quiet evening, recovering sore arms and legs, and preparing for the golf tournament next day, Monday.

On Monday morning after breakfast Neil I`s tricky quiz for “roomies” was marked and winners again this time by one clear point were Steve Lee and Stephen Brown, just pipping Duncan Carrick who had a little help from Gerry. Third were Vincent and Neil Gibson just ahead of Michael and Scotty.

Nine hardy souls ventured to Leisure Lakes Golf Academy at Mere Brow to take on, not once but twice, the short but tricky nine-hole golf course – par 56. Everyone performed well and taking the plaudits due to a very generous handicapping system, were 1st Steve Lee on net 69 (16), 2nd Vincent Broun on 73 (14) and 3rd Stephen Brown on 74 (4). Best gross was A Gass on 77 and magic threes, amongst the also-rans was won by Neil Gibson with three.

Harry and Scotty were undone by very severe handicapping and handicaps adjusted for 2010 are Tom and Harry – 24, Scotty – 20, Neil G and Vince – 10, Steve – 8, Mike 4, Stephen B - 1 and Alan – scr. Bill Fraser, absent this year will be – 2.

A final late lunch/early tea was enjoyed as is our wont, at The Canal Turn, Carnforth, before handshakes were exchanged and the straggle of tourists finally wended homeward for another year.

Tour Report 2008

The colourful cavalcade swooshed into the rain soaked carpark fronting the first field of conflict. Cheery figures, soon bedraggled, shook hands heartily and looked balefully at the leaden skies. Irving Meadow Cricket Tour had begun - as ever with poor "wever".

The first event was football against a very strong Withnell side, aided by some wearing red strips and miniscule bibs in an attempt to get us to pass to them. That ploy succeeded - in fact the pass success rate to them was 80% whereas to our own team we achieved around 30%.

Supersub Ted Thompson went between the sticks whilst our first half goalkeeper prepared himself. Ted was undefeated in that role. The appearance of Ali Bryden filling the goal cheered the sodden reds and he showed his early class before the opposition twigged there would be no diving in the box from Ali. He later resorted to throwing the ball directly to their best player Chappie, who thanked him by bulging the net.

Withnell were four up when to their astonishment the ex Glasgow referee awarded Meadow an Andrex Superspecial penalty for alleged hand ball. All eyes turned to Scotty McLean who is said to have never failed from the spot, however with the fastest sprint ever seen from those fine legs, skipper Gerry Campbell grabbed the ball and effortlessly converted for our only score of the first half.

In the second half young supersubs, Ted Thompson, Duncan Carrick and Tom Maybank, steadied the ship (or did Withnell just get tired?), and the final result thanks to some glaring misses from S L. et al was an extremely close 6-1 defeat.

After a not-so-brief refuelling at the Hare and Hounds in Abbey Village, the Committee, replete with meat and potato pie and Black Sheep, decided to abandon the planned afternoon cricket due to the persistent precipitation.

Indoor sports included watching the scores come in on Sky Sports News as Ewan`s score predictions game tested the quality of punditry amongst the party. The final results from 8 selected games (1 point for the result plus 2 more for correct score) was declared as out of 24 possible points: 1st Ali Bryden with 9 Points £8 2nd equal were Alex & Steve with 7 Points £4 each 4th equal Ted, Ian & Michael with 4 points 7th equal Stephen, Duncan, Gerry, Bill & Scotty with 3 points 12th equal Tom, Neil, Vincent & Harry with 2 points Last was Alan with 1 point - who clearly thought there was a consolation prize !

After a lovely meal at The Wheatsheaf in Croston, everyone returned to their rooms for an early night and a mug of cocoa, as befits true professional sportsmen. A number of arguments were heard from behind closed doors however due to the dubious decision to pair tour quiz partners as "roomies". Gerry was heard arguing with himself.

The Sunday dawned dryish and teams set off for Pleasington for the annual locking horns of the young pretenders and the old stags at cricket. Just as the wickets were placed the rain revisited and was off and on for another hour. Off also were the damp youngsters to watch the test match leaving the mature old-timers and our newcomer Alex Smith to have a bit of a bat and a bowl.

Impressive bowling came from John (not bowled since last year) Sharratt, Bill Fraser, Duncan Carrick, Stephen Brown and tour virgin Alex Smith. Superlative batting came from Steve Lee, Vincent Broun, Ted Thompson, Gerry Campbell and Tom (gi`es a go) Maybank. Everyone faced four overs, being allotted a run score for each shot and minus five points were awarded for each dismissal. Not everyone finished in a positive frame of mind.

The afternoon game at Euxton, was a 35 over match against Anthony Sweeney, some dads and a few lads - all of whom could bowl tidily. The opposition posted 170 before being bowled out before (two balls) the allotted overs had been reached. A number of catches were taken and sportingly dropped, dependent on the height and disappointment of the batsman. One catch that was held onto, however, was wicketkeeper Lee`s fine forward diving catch after running about fifteen yards up the wicket. No television evidence was required as Steve`s beaming face told the story. Eventually Alex Smith managed to break the wickets with a fine bowl. Mark (Harry Potter) Wharton also hit the stumps after two superb spells of fast bowling. Michael Gass, John Sharratt and Captain Gerry also bowled well. The mainstay of Euxton`s team was Anthony Sweeney who scored a round 105. Stephen Brown nearly caught him at mid-off but he was left to nurse two very bruised fingers.

The two highlight of Meadow`s fielding involved tour debutant, Alex Smith. In chasing a ball in the deep, Alex was then seen to aquaplane only to emerge triumphant with the ball from a curtain of spray. When the splash died away, Alex was seen to be black from the waist down to the unrestrained mirth of the entire audience. Later as the last over was reached at 170 for 9 there was a determination to take the last wicket. A very high edged ball soared into the air and Alex, making up much ground, ran hands aloft to take the catch and continue his victory run with a resounding "Yes!!!!!" - a picture in black and white.

Meadow opened with Steve Lee and John Sharratt, who put on nearly 60 before John was out. A good start indeed. Steve went on to score 42, hitting some nice shots including an off-side 6. Harry Potter went in to bat with a football up his jumper as a Sweeney look-a-like, and removed it after the skipper balled him out. Ali Bryden batted well but there were a number of notable failures, especially amongst the Gasses. Eventually a total of 120, but not all out, was reached thanks to great defensive batting by Gerry Campbell and Vincent Broun, who pinched the strike from Gerry on the last ball in three successive overs.

A very quiet Sunday evening was passed with most participants tired from the day`s endeavours and the hotel baths were well utilised. The next morning the quiz answers were submitted and a noisy and argumentative session of marking took place. Clear winners this year with 61 points were Stephen Brown and Steve Lee. In second place with 58.5 points were Tom Maybank and Alex Smith. Gerry Campbell and Ian Irving were third on 56 points despite missing out the whole cricket questions which they did not see?

A gallant group of seven made their way to Leisure Lakes for the last event of the tour, on the Monday morning. Nine holes of golf at a short course awaited the eager participants. Alan Gass, at last, struck a ball cleanly, off the first tee, prompting Vincent to ask about possible handicaps?

Driving off over ducks and reeds proved no challenge to anyone, and some good scores were returned. Winner was Alan on 36 with Bill Fraser one shot behind. Stephen Brown claimed the marker had denied him a share of the spoils, but no-one could recall well enough to call in the stewards.

The magic threes competition (excluding Alan and Bill) was won by Vincent on a tie break. Tom claimed he had five threes at one hole and it was noted that he had completely emptied the bunker of loose sand. The golf event was voted a great success and handicaps for next year have been set as follows: Tom 15, Steve 10, Vincent 10, Neil 5, Stephen 2, Bill 1 and Alan scr.

After an abortive lunchtime visit to a pub with no food, (get the details checked Alan!), we travelled to the Canal Turn at Carnforth for our final refreshment and an excellent late lunch before saying our goodbyes.

Tour 2008 went well despite some heavy rain at the start, and likely dates for next year are August 15th and 16th. Put them in your diary now.