Swansea in Spendour

By Beefy Roberts
August 22 2009

Beefy tells us all about a a damp start on Day 2, although it sounds as though our travelling party were having a great time. Read all about the rain delay antics and a bit of the day's play. Daria and Ruby will pick up where Beefy left off in their next update from Swansea. measnwhile, many thanks to Beefy.

After a great evening at Cardiff for the pro 40 game, and an enjoyable first day at Swansea. I was ready for another day of relaxing watching the lads, that was until i saw the good old British(or welsh) summer forecast of rain.  I wake up to the forecast being spot on.............its pouring of rain, dark clouds it looked grim and thoughts of Derbyshire returned when my first day was rained off.

Still, after breakfast and Kimmy had gone for her train back home I got the morning paper and moved on to the ground, and the rain stops and sun comes out.  Being told the day before that the pitch is built on sand and it drains well, with the sea 'breeze' helping to dry the pitch out i hope we start on time, no chance I'm told 90 min delay at the least, quick chat with Don and he said inspection at midday. 

Then more dark clouds move it, the players had been out for about 10 mins and quickly move back in as it starts raining again, to the bar i go to see start of test match, i order a pint of coke(honest) start watching test as Diamond walks in. Few Middx lads are in the bar as well watching the test taking the front row seats.

 Memories of Day One in the Sun

Looking outside a bit later when the latest deluge stops, the umpires are looking under the main covers, first thought is have they been leaking and the square is damp?  But, thankfully not so next word is its a 1230 inspection the sun is out so its fingers crossed then few more of the lads come into the bar, no play then as they are all in here.  Then the first pint is taken by myself, can’t drink too much coke in a bar.

The next announcement is made in the bar ' can you all leave the tables please and move to next bar, we need to set up for the carvery lunch' Myself and Diamond stay at the bar and watch Morgs, Robbo come in, move all the chairs around from newly laid tables.  Then we both discuss does Robson look a bit like Prince Harry? well, we both declare he does so from now on its either HRH or The Prince we decide.

The lads later move from the bar and start to go outside but with grey clouds moving in again we decide to stay at the bar for another beer or two, we are bowling spin each end and sudden grumbles from the Swansea/Glamorgan faithful as Croft is removed by Shaggy lbw for 20.

After another beer from a glass(plastic only outside) the conversation goes onto a song.....................a hit from years gone by called ' never promised you a rose garden' but couldn't work out who sung it, text messages start to fly around trying to find out who was the singer(s) and we get the answer from two people both the same name.

Wicket.................Coster c The Prince b Shaggy for 1 Glamorgan all out for 224 or as Diamond said ' 224-4 all out '

Time for a plastic beer and seats outside to see the Middle start batting,didn't wait long for a wicket Compo out for 7 lbw Shantry,Compo must of used all his runs up at Cardiff So,we have Ace and The Prince at the crease score on the board is 21-1 and Ace still not off the mark and the outfield is very slow due to the rains ,then a nice drive for 4 by The Prince and we are on 36-1 another run on the board and light drizzle is in the air,but comes to nothing.At this time i have been checking my time,as i have a train back at 15.30 so i get the number for a taxi off the girl behind the bar who worked her socks off.Call it and its outside too soon for me as i still have a pint to get rid of,i did of course.

 It is a grand, grand place

Sadly i have to leave the game for train back, i do mention to Diamond i might come back Saturday.

On train back, I'm getting a few updates from Kimmy, who was probably still laughing and smiling about her shirt she had given to her.

Checking fares to Swansea at home, there was no way i was going back, but must admit the 3 days i spend was superb, wonderful company, two very different grounds, great people at both grounds so helpful and will go back next year i hope.