The Final Countdown 

After comprehensive semi final victory, I left my seat a very happy man. A few more “Middle Middle Middles” and I started to wander around ground ignoring many beer, cider tents.  I just wanted to quietly savour moment. I was hoping also to catch up with Essex Dave and Matt Kent, wherever they were.  

Before long, as I was wandering, I bumped into a very lively group of Middlesex fans, who I knew well.  Thought it would be rude to ignore them and not buy a drink and that became my position for a lively hour and half.   The drinks were flowing, as sporadic chants were being belted out.  Knocker, passed our way and was greeted with a “ David Nash, David Nash, David David Nash, he’s got no hair but we don’t care David David Nash. As we were discussing the failed petition/ EGM, Vinny passed by. I led a tongue firmly in cheek “ Sack the Board” chant, which I hope was well received.  Well he did join us for a chat, in a fetching casual pink with shorts and sandals, but he didn’t join in with the singing. Amongst our group was a solitary Kent fan, who was very tolerant with being in minority.  We gave him an opportunity to rival our singing, so there was a chorus of “ Kent give us a song, Kent, Kent , Kent ,Kent, gives us a song…Shhh”. On his own he chanted “ We r Kent, We R Kent ,We R Kent”.   To which we replied with  “ Ur a .. “   Perhaps I’ll leave that one.   Anyway, he was a top bloke, responsible for quality pictures for our site, and it was agreed for a communal singsong. The common ground song was “ We H8 Sorry and we H8 Sorry , We H8 Sorry and we H8 Sorry, We H8 Sorry and we H8 Sorry  We r the Sorry H8ers “ .  There was support from all over for this ditty.  

Our fun was interrupted by a wasp invading one of our crowd’s beer, almost drowning in it.  The wasp was rescued and rather than stamped on was allowed to live, staggering a lot and it was only Carlsberg.   I hope he or she lived to witness that final ball.  Someone cruelly chanted to it "R u Ramprakash in disguise?" .

With final due to start in 15 minutes, I made my way back to my seat. In ground there was a Karaoke of sorts happening.   As I walked passed our “Generals”, “ Do You Know the Way to Amarillo ” was blaring out.     I tried to get our fans to join in with ”, “ Do You Know the Way to A Antigua”. My nifty foot movements to the “ la la la la, clap clap “ bits, prompted someone in my direction chanting “ R u watching Ramprakash, R u watching Ramprakash?”  

It’s not over till the Barmy one stops singing

 Now the main event, as players came out, I felt awestruck. This is Middlesex in final.   Us batting first, the runs not initially coming thick and fast.  Each boundary was greeted by a “ 4 or 6 more to the Middlesex”. And a massive wide was acknowledged with a “ How wide do you want the stumps?"  It was only Ace’s phenomenal innings that really charged the vocal chords of the Barmy section.   The three chants were “ "I say oooh aah Owais Shah, I say oooh aah Owais Shah", followed by perhaps on me own  “  Noing me Noing U, Oace Shar” .   After Tredwell was hit for three successive 6’s  the cry of “ Can we ave u from both ends?“ , in pink  may have been misinterpreted. Meanwhile our total had been set, that required a record chasing score. 

The break between innings after returning from a call of nature, I passed same area as my Amarillo dance, I heard a chorus led by our “Generals” of “ Barmy Kev, Barmy Kev, Barmy Kev”. 

As our team came out there was a chorus of “ Sing ur arts 4 the lads, Sing ur arts 4 the lads” .   But after this stage I was at my quietest, focussed on us holding on.  As Kent innings progressed and long wait for 1^st wicket, I became even more subdued.  I clapped our dot balls and when eventually wicket arrived joined in usual Middle chants. But gosh was I tense?   Joyce’s dolly dropped catch just before end added to tension and thought we blew it.  16 needed off final over and then those overthrows.  My head was in my hands after that I was convinced it was game over, game lost.   Then next 2 balls were a blur and despite success with them still thought we lost. Then there was thefinal run out that achieved victory.  I was more in shock at first. Then the realisation. 

 WE'VE WON THE 20/20 CUP.    

Championes 

So once it sunk in it was a great chant of “Championes,Championes  Ole ole ole”. 

There was a large Middx fan movement towards presentation area and semi a conga to tune of “ We r off to Antigua ,    We r off to Antigua , la la la, la la la ,oi!  We got as close as we could to the presentation. As soon as Sky coverage started there was a  “ R u watching Ramprakash,R u watching Ramprakash?” chant from our masses.   ( sadly dubbed out) There was then the joy of the players parading trophy in front of us. That was a truly special moment, which I will always treasure.  Middx fans were hugging each other as mass hysteria broke out.   

I had a swift half in pavilion, congratulating every one associated with Middlesex who I could see, before I tried to find my lost weary way back to MacDonald’s for lift back home.  The journey home was of course all the more pleasant for magnificent achievement.

The whole experience will always live in my sporting memory as one of the greatest days.  I have seen Middx when finals in my early youth, but even at home had been out sung and poor atmosphere was a dampner.   I look forward to celebrating many more, of course continuing to give and encourage full vocal support.    

PS A CD of all singing will be available at all major record stores shortly.   

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