Best view

By Barmy Kev
August 5 2015

Barmy Kev reports on a bad day in Essex. There is a TFL quiz at end of each innings if you want to avoid the gorey details.

Today is my final pre booked annual leave day for cricket, unless my boss "rests" me. I arrive at Colchester station just after 11am and prepared to catch a cab to the Castle Park but there weren’t any waiting for me. There were no signposts to ground but found way to Castle Park where I assumed they play but there was nothing to indicate this as, I’m in the vicinity and still no signs- I thought Merchant Taylor's was bad. I eventually arrive at ground just before 12pm met QPR Chris and R&O standing as no seats available with a poor view. I needed a cup of tea with breakfast and was served without a smile- I thought Uxbridge was bad.

I’m now settled in cricket mode, QPR Chris said we were off to a flyer 35-0 off 5, but now something like 65-1 off 15.

From my bad vantage point I can only summarise how we reached our total of 297-4, with an apology of those reliant on ball by ball commentary from our match reports.

Robbo and Balbirnie made scores in 40’s that gave us some momentum. Gubbins batted well and concentrated with his usual powerful shots over leg side area. The 1 eyed Essex fans around us loudly regularly greeted his superb shots with comments in a irritating Cockney accent blaming fielders he bisected or their bowling being too short or long regardless. It was in our team’s cause when he was caught in the deep for 96, sacrificing his "scrappily" built ton.   Franko added momentum with 63 from 41 balls.  There was a shower with 19 balls left. When returned we did not carry our score to 300 + as expected. General feeling, more so than at Radlett this total is not enough.

While the excitement of our total was being built up, QPR Chris having returned from quiz night before offered us the round on cryptic Tube stations and tested me and R & O. It went 2-2 and the sudden death clue was “Blonde Cut”.   I got it and won – feel free to submit your answer on this match report thread.

Essex replying, our bowling never looked threatening. Gurjit took a wicket but was expensive. Their batting consisted of destructive players with Tom Westley and Ravi Bopara both completing half-centuries, with Nick Browne and Jesse Ryder were making their presence felt. Dext slowed things down took a wicket and then there was a no ball due to not enough players in circle that cost us 9 runs ruined his figures, I blame Eoin.

Not that they were ever below it, the announcer mentioned where to find the not obvious Vera target on the scoreboard which was eventually hellpful.  There was also a moment where the announcer asked the scoreboard operators to consult the Scorers for the score.

Final poser from QPR Chris was name the only London Underground station that doesn’t contain letters of word "mackerel".  The alternatives kept us thinking of something closer to home as Essex reached their target with 17 balls to spare.

Positives

Nick Gubbins showing more promise

I won the Cryptic Tube stations quiz- I’m happy to share answers and other questions if you want to PM me.

I’m sure my next cricket experience will be more positive.

Negatives

No signage to ground.

I found the experience of some oopposition fans most unpleasant

We lost easily