For Who the Bell Tolls

By Rod Ed
September 24 2014

Rod Ed reports on the dramas of his overnight stay before more dramas at Old Trafford. We all know what happened on the pitch, but still an entertaining read.

As a Middlesex supporter living near Edinburgh I have to examine the fixture list closely for suitable matches to attend. When I saw this fixure I at first hoped that it would be good to travel down to see the points neede to clinch the Championship. Later in the season I felt the fixture would be meaningless, and now full circle, it was to be a relegation decider that was a "must attend" By good fortune I was to be working in the Scottish borders on Monday, so being an hour down the road already, I drove south after work planning to spend the night in Kendal. I hadn't booked accomadation until Sunday night lest the forecast be poor but had found a cheap B&B in a pub. On arrival at 8.30pm the pub was closed and in complete darkness.Nor could I get any reply from my online resevation phone no. or the mobile no. listed on the board outside. Eventually a young lad appeared at the door claiming he had no knowledge of the booking but did take a cash payment in exchange for a room key, whilst informing me there would be no breakfast. I ventured out and found downtown Kendal was virtually closed. Eventually I found a hostelry, and I swelled the numbers from two to three that were watching the, quite exciting, finish to Wigan v Ipswich.

Next morning Kendal seemed quite a nice place but I was on my way and arrived at Old Trafford in time to hear we'd won the toss , decided to bat, and indeed scored six of the first over, all extras. With match well covered by Sky, I need not give an over by over account but can give some impressions of the days play. The view from the members area in front of the old pavillion was excellent and as the sun burned off the mist it was pleasantly warm and both openers removed their sleevless tops after the 5th over. Their hired hand, Junaid, who starts his run up with a skip and a jump seemed to beat the bat more often than any other bowler throughout the day, but first success went to Chapple. After two cuts from Robbo, the gully put on helmet and shin pads and moved to a close point. Next ball was a bit straighter and found the edge through to Buttler. AC started watchfully, getting off the mark with a quick single 14th ball. First change Procter started with a wide then next ball found Maaln edging to slip. When Buck was dropped at slip the Lancs faithful were in full pessimistic flow.The bemoaned their coaching staff, and not playing youngsters from the 2nd XI. They wanted a clear out of 60% of the current squad, and talked about re-building for a couple of years in the second division. There was to be a members forum after play which I expect was going to be quite lively.

The day continued in the same pattern with batsman being watchful to start with, getting dropped at slip, and then getting caught in the cordon. After the rain break, the batting point was gained by the last pair of Patel and Harris was gratefully received but perhaps showed that batting was not too difficult on that wicket. Time will tell. There was a good few Middlesex supporters to be seen, and before I headed back north I met fellow poster Rogers and Out, and a few others to cap and enjoyable, if slightly anxious day. I expect it will be the same tomorrow.