losing return

By Barmy Kev
June 30 2010

Barmy Kev reports from Bristol on the T20game. Somewhere amongst details of a nightmare journey, footie, and the mad rush, including losing bags, to catch the train home ,is a report on the cricket. That is far less entertaining than the rest..

Gruelling Pre Match Training

 I set off for Bristol catching 12am train arriving at Temple Meads 13:54.  Idea was to check into hotel Beefy and Ken were staying at, drop luggage and get to ground to watch the Mickey Mouse football tournament, I think it’s called the World Cup.   I left home with loads of time to spare. As usual TFL made this hard as possible for me.  Jubilee and Met line down as per usual. Northern Line working but the interchange at Kings Cross shut.  OK so let’s change at Euston and Walk to Euston Sq, and of course I had to pay extra fare on Lobster Card. What I didn’t know Paddington was closed.  Train overshot to Royal Oak. Thought catch train back thinking maybe just this side of platform closed, no both sides. Got off at Edgware Road had long walk back. At Paddington had problems with ticket machine to pick up tickets thankfully sorted long queue for newspaper and despite leaving loads of time nearly missed train.

 Evidently, Kimmy missed  hers for similar reasons at a cost. Boo.  Now only 5 minute delay on journey should be OK for World Cup. 

Kev Really Taking the Ibis  

So , Beefy texts me instructions on how to get to Ibis hotel Bristol Temple Meads. It was odd as I did Google map print and this was different but followed his instructions.  Got to hotel and my name not on their records.   I was fumbling round trying to find my confirmation. I eventually did. Ah, there are 3 Ibises in Bristol. Mine was Habourside booking in town.  Now why didn’t I just follow Beefy’s link when booking?  It is now 2:30.  I want to watch football.  Taxi ordered he was able to drop me off at my Ibis, wait for me to dump luggage and take me to ground for just before footy start.

 I Saw one Proper Footy Match 

Now I am one of these sad deluded people who gets taken in by WC euphoria and caught in media hype thinking England can win the WC.  My fellow MTWD didn’t seem so enthusiastic and were more peed off by this delaying start of cricket. This is cricket site so won’t go into detail, but at 3-1 to Germans Beefy had enough.  At 4-1 and Heskey being bought on to rescue situation I was out of here.  As walked out our players were warming up with a game of footy. Far more entertaining watching Super Ped slick ball control and Murts over zealous challenges of Finn. Strangely, Glous players were practising with cricket skills,  

There was a Cricket match too

Well we got off to a good start.  Both openers gone cheaply. Then had them for 44-3 and Smith missed a caught and bowled. This was punished as Hamish O’Marshall and Gidman made a massive partnership. This until he was spectacularly caught in the deep, by guess who Scott Newman. At end Glous didn’t really press on and 153 was certainly gettable.

Our reply throughout we were just behind on Vera but always in with shout.  We lost early wickets but Hendo pushed up order gave us some momentum, but didn’t have explosive touch of 2 years ago. The crucial moment was when it was announced.  Matthew Dawson came on to bowl.  Someone shouted come on Matt get him out. Beefy shouted “ Les Dawson has more chance of getting him out”. Of course first ball Dexter clean bowled.  After that we lost wickets during Beefy’s toilet and drink breaks.  There was a ban imposed from him talking, drinking and peeing. Meanwhile their 2 spinners were bowling tightly and match slipping away, But with Malan there still a chance. There was an amusing incident of him breaking his bat playing a shot nearly taking out bowler.  19 needed off 2 overs, this very tight,  atmosphere building and off first ball AC bowled.  Scott our “specialist keeper” was still there and had been finding boundaries with Morganesque touches and with 11 off last over in with a chance.  Kirby bowled superb line and length death bowling and we just couldn’t find boundary and restricted to 1’s and 2’s. Alas having seen England lose footy 4-1 Middx lose by 4 runs  ,    

 Kimmy’s Tight Run Chase 

After all this Kimmy had a 9PM train to catch and she really didn’t want to miss another pre booked train.  Diamond dropped us all of at Ibis Temple Meads.  He then nearly drives off with mine andBeefy’s bag and I shouted chased and luckily my voice carries and they are rescued.  Beefy has Kimmy’s bag stored in his room. He takes ages. Meanwhile, Kimmy is behind the D&L for catching train. She goes off without bag. Beefy arrives with bag furious as was stuck in lift, receptionist says this is known problem. Marvellous. We catch up with Kimmy with bag.  We make train just in time having slid bat in. Time for a cheerio and we are all happy, despite poor results. Who says watching cricket is dull?