As is frequently the case, this particular account does me no credit.

I have always had the good fortune to be able to play whenever I wanted, subject to selection, which, on this occasion was a formality as I was captain. I was able to play on Saturdays, Sundays and in Midweek matches.

Often our Sunday away games involved a longish journey and, on this particular day I had, as usual, taken my car. I invariably had a full car, the passengers being the normal..... well, perhaps 'normal' is not the most accurate word....bunch, who were always  up for a less than straightforward journey.

One of our favourite stunts in built up areas was to hoot as we passed or approached complete strangers and to wave enthusiastically, as if we knew them.

Its surprising how many people with puzzled looks on their faces would wave back and gape after us as we sped away, assuming they must know us. We had plenty of tricks along similar lines.

On this day we left about 12:15 and as we drove through a small village on the outskirts of our town, I spotted a vicar walking briskly from his parked car up the driveway of a house, perhaps making a visit after conclusion of Sunday morning service.

This was an opportunity not to be missed, so issuing the semi instruction, "Vicar at ten o clock", I hooted and we all turned to our left and waved with gusto, keeping our eyes on the  good man, who turned and peered in our direction.

A vicar looks on

I say we "all" turned, but the front seat passenger was not fully focused on the vicar, as he bellowed, "Look out!"

Returning my eyes to the road, I saw instantly that the car that had been proceeding in front of me had stopped and was signalling to turn right, waiting for an oncoming vehicle to pass before carrying out the right turn.

Its amazing how quickly you can think and act if necessary.

Realising that I had no chance of passing the car in front on its right because of the approaching car and that I was far too close to brake without going into the back of the car in front, I was aware that the pavement was, fortunately, vacant. Thus I pulled hard left, braking simmultaneously and mounted the pavement to the left of the car that was blocking the road.

I skidded to a halt on the pavement so that I was precisely level with the driver of that car.  She loked incredulously at me, her mouth wide open.

In the circumstances I felt that my best course of action was to smile engagingly at her, wave and proceed as fast as possible. Thus I rejoined the road in front of her vehicle and continued the journey to our fixture.

Unfortunately, nobody had the presence of mind to check the vicar's reaction to all of this.

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