By Grockle
July 2 2003

Hugh Collis, aka "Crouchend Wyvern", a true supporter of this club died on Friday, he would have been proud of the boys today. A weakened bowling attack did well and the batsmen put on 100 by the close. Do it for CEW boys!

Crouchend's Pride

v GLOUCESTERSHIRE CC2 @ Taunton 2 July 2003

Hugh Collis aka "Crouchend Wyvern" died on Friday.  A true supporter of this club in the real sense, his support was of the best kind.  He loved the game, he loved the county but his perceptions were balanced and good cricket was the order of the day.  If we weren't doing it, he would say so in no uncertain terms.BUT he would provide solutions and positive suggestions to encourage emprovement.  He was a joy to spend time with, he was knowledgable and fluent, he knew his sport and he knew his team - warts and all - and he loved it all.

How would Hugh have thought of today?  The side would have brought something from him.  A bowling attack with Laraman as the third seamer.  No Jones, no Parsons K, no Parsons M, no Andrew - has injury hit that hard he would have wanted to know.   Arul Suppiah making his 2003 first class debut in a side with two spinners but no Blackwell ( injured in the Yorkshire match).   Gazzard opening in a Championship match for the first time - Holloway gone for good and Bowler unavailable.  CEW would have been salivating over his keyboard while putting together another comment for the messageboard.

It didn't start well either.  Burnsy put them in and put our weakened bowling attack under the microscope.  Hugh would have enjoyed Spearman making hay (54 off 50 balls) but would have been analysing the bowling that allowed it.  He would have enjoyed seeing Laraman get Weston and put the brakes on a bit (57 for 1).  he would have enjoyed even more seeing McLean skittle Spearman at 83.  That would have brought in Rhodes to work with Taylor and keep the momentum going.  He enjoyed watching Francis develop and his third wicket - Taylor caught behind - would have been well appreciated at 127 for 3.

"It is crucial that we get Rhodes out and get into their middle order" - I can hear it now.  It happened at 172 when Laraman had him caught behind.  Then Somerset would have done the Wyvern proud.  Laraman kept it going by getting Windows at 175.  The captain brought himself on and took his opposite number for 10 - bowled is always nice.  he then had Ball LBW just over the 200 mark and dangerman Harvey went to McLean for 28 at 213. From 172 for 4 to 213 for 8 - real glory Crouchend!!

The last two men, Lewis and Pope, were split between Burnsy and his number one - Nixon.   They added 15 and we had them out for 228.  Guts and fight and heart - Hugh would have been proud.  The men stood up and were counted.  Three wickets each for Nixon, 'George and Aaron with Frankie celebrating his call-up to the Academy with the tenth.

Would he have been proud of the reply?  The new opening partnership of Wood and Gazzard didn't last long - less than half an hour for under 20 runs (12 in fact) but he loved to watch classical batting and Buzz always provides that when he gets a start.   56 is a good start - put some on for a true supporter Jamie he'd appreciate the skill and the thought.  Bryant hasn't proved himself fully yet but Hugh saw a lot of promise in him - is this the innings where he proves it?  We are 100 for 2 and seem to be in the driviing seat.  We'll see tomorrow.

Someone suggested that 'Crouchend' would be there, moving the ball, making the ball run true to the Somerset bat.  He's got the ethereal deck chair out and he'll be watching at the County Ground and wherever the boys are.  Enjoy the cricket Hugh - you'll be in our thoughts for the rest of the season.  You showed us all how to be a critical friend and a good supporter and this site was a better place for your presence.  I'll stick your photos on this week in what will now be called the Crouchend Gallery and I'm sorry we don't have one of you to honour that page.  Rest easy and keep them on their toes.  We'll all miss you.