Middlesex CCC
Groundie's Monument - Uxbridge Festival Part Two of Two
What a monument!!
By Groundie
October 6 2009
After the sheer delights of Groundie's World (Uxbridge Festival Part One), here is something even better - part two. Enhanced by some excellent photos by Kimmy, capturing the now famous Middlesex monumental tribute to Lower Pavilion. Many many thanks to Groundie for the wonderful words and thanks also to Kimmy for the photographs of the historic monument. You are truly MTWD.
Monday 14th and a day off, I wish!! The change from coloured to white games is immense. There is no one around and there is always a feeling of anti climax after games. Anyway the preparation goes on, another game tomorrow. All going to schedule until about 3pm when a visitor turns up. Looks important, so stop the mower and introduce myself to David Hughes ECB pitch liaison officer- my assistant Ramesh is suddenly star struck . So the word has got around that the pitches so far have been dodgy. What a nice guy, had a chat and a cup of tea and left reasonably happy. Time to put on the covers and it’s blowing a gale, now that is a task between two of us.
Tuesday morning, it’s dark, cold and the promise of light rain from about 11:00am. As start time gets nearer there is obviously lots of suspicion about the pitch, hushed conversations and much head shaking. Derbys win the toss and bat and David Burton has to run into a howling gale, good effort, Rogers goes to one that carries to the keeper from Murtagh. As predicted the light rain comes and players go off at 12:20, never to return. Pulling covers and sheets around is never a pleasant experience but when suffering from a hypoglycaemic attack is pretty horrendous. A long drawn out day but the promise of better weather for the rest of the game. About 200 brave souls came, one has to wonder why? Cricket nuts no doubt or could it be the attractive surroundings? Having finished for the day and preparing to relax for the evening heavy rain whilst walking the dogs persuaded me to go and check on the covers. All was not well, huge puddles on the covers. Out with the Bowcom to remove water but would it have got underneath? That will have to wait for the morning, so leave in the dark with little confidence and thoughts of explaining to umpires, captains and pitch liaison officer, why deck has a wet patch, god forbid. Not much sleep tonight, I guess.
The good lord was smiling on us last night. No need to explain a wet patch as first light inspections showed. Bucket load after bucket load of water was removed from the covers before The Blotter could be used. Extra support came from my old mate Dougie New the Vine Lane groundsman, pulling covers at 71 years old, a fine man and a good effort. Despite a few wet areas on the square, play began on time to the huge relief of the groundstaff. Unfortunately the Middx catching in this innings was less than sticky and Madsen profited and went onto a fine 150 odd. London was lost to a dislocated finger when fielding; debate in our circle was whether it was a slip on wet ground or a poorly executed dive. Derbys declared as soon as maximum points were achieved. Many of the knowledgeable crowd commented on the work to get the game started on time and their kind words were much appreciated. Big Bob decides it’s too risky driving home to Nottingham so chooses to bed down in the scorebox amongst the sweaty cricket kit, huge spiders and hungry rats, let’s hope he survives the night. Don’t need too many days like today but thankfully only three left and counting. Suddenly this becomes hard work for little reward, or perhaps it’s another sign of a grumpy old groundsman.
For the first night in what seems an age, the alarm clock is needed to do its work. A full night’s sleep, refreshed and ready to face another day. Decide to check on Bobby around 6:45, so take a coffee. Thankfully he has survived a night in the scorebox but not so sure about the spiders, as at the bottom of his comfy looking nest is a baseball bat. A relaxed morning after the previous one was well received by all. Missed the first hour or so of play due to duties on the bowls green. Middx had lost two wickets by my return. In the afternoon Compton continued his great form. Bowling still seemed hard work and difficult to see a result unless manufactured. By close Derbys were about 240 in front. Everyone’s guess is about 320 in 70 overs on the final day. A lucky chance meeting with a new friend behind the pavilion end sightscreen late in the day was extremely welcome as much knowledge was gained. Some kind words from Nick Compton at close of play are a tonic to the staff. The grumpy old git has been transformed into a smiling old git within 24 hrs.
A lovely morning on the final day of championship cricket for Middx this season. The morning goes without problems until it is noticed that Peter & Ivy’s ice-cream van is missing. He had trouble yesterday and needed to get AA assistance which resulted in some very runny 99‘s, hard to believe but unfortunately true. Eventually he turns up but the soft cones are off. Really this is not good enough and his contract is in doubt next year unless he can improve results. He did however get John Morris to sign his van and draw a Tiger Moth next to Gower’s.
Sorry, I digress, back to the cricket. Rogers scores another hundred and every one is waiting for the agreed and published declaration. It is reached and Middx require 330 in 75 overs. An over confident groundsman is telling everybody that there can only be one winner, Middlesex. The pitch looked flat whilst Malan and Compton were batting but suddenly after lunch it became a minefield, with balls spinning and rolling along the floor. The batters had no answer and Derbys appeared home and dry. Enter the injured London to play like a veteran, supported by Kartik and Murtagh. An exciting finish saw the home side finish 9 wickets down.
Time after the finish to turn the ground into 1 day mode for the upcoming match against Northants tomorrow.
One gets the feeling that certain more senior players were again unhappy with the pitch and outfield. Personally my view is, that one has to be happy with their own performance and this time I thought the pitch was better than that for the Kent game. With more grass left on, there was a bit more carry and occasional movement. It is true that Uxbridge is batsman friendly but neither game petered out into a bore draw, perhaps because of the captains enterprise, but it will be interesting to read the umpires reports.
The final day. The planned lay in doesn’t happen as once more the brain is alert by 5am, much to do and a match report to write. At least another lovely morning. Time to uncover the square, brush, cut, roll & mark out the pitch, cut the 2 practise pitches, cut the square, cut the outfield, put up 2 throw down nets, put out the practise cage, put in the 15yd and 30yd fielding circles, set the stumps, oh and cut the bowling green and check the tennis courts all before the players start warm ups.
When that is done the fun can begin, there is an end of term feel around the place. Time to work on the church. A large cross had been made the day previous and this was erected to the side of the scorebox for all those people who like to see a church at outgrounds. It was called the church of LP which Lorraine claimed as Lorraine Poole but others were thinking of another LP.
Is it a bird, is it a plane, is it Lorraine?.................
........or is it an erection in honour of our very own Lower Pavilion?
The game is an anticlimax with Middlesex easily defeating an under strength Northants side. Good to see most wickets fall to catches rather than the usual bowled or LBW.
The evening bash for David Nash was a chance for a few people to let their hair down, and some took full advantage. Personally it was a chance to make a few apologies and feel better for having done so.
First thing in the morning one received a personal message from Jerry with one of his more reliable rumours that BeefyRoberts was last seen leading a conga dance down the Cowley Road at 3am.
And so it’s all over. Highlights?
The wonderful hundreds which are always a joy to watch. Stevens 200, Van Jarsveld, Dexter 2, Compton 2, Madsen & Rogers. The bowling of the Derbyshire pairing of Smith & Jones. Meeting many new friends from MTWD, all of whom were great company and extremely kind. Whilst talking with a small group of people, Fletch pulling me to one side and saying “ Vic, you know who that guy next to you is?” And my reply is “yeah that’s my new mate, Lower Pavilion”.
Low points?
Missing spending a day at the cricket with my son Ian, who was busy at work and unable to get away. Watching the Middlesex spinners toil away on unresponsive pitches whilst the likes of Treadwell, Fearly, and Smith have success. Getting dragged into the feeling of negativity that surrounds the present environment. Going out to clean up at lunch on the day after the evening rain, a quick look at the hospitality tent showed 3 Uxbridge committee members enjoying a free pampering whilst the workers went about their normal business.
Thanks to all the staff, Ramesh, Paul, Bob and Lee, stars to a man. Winter well my friends and wherever we are, we can be sure that come April, cricket will again be played on England’s green and pleasant fields, be that Lord’s, Southgate, Uxbridge, Radlett or elsewhere.
It’s a long winter, so spare 10 minutes to look at the following link. The context may not be right but some of the words are very apt as to how one feels about festival end.
www.dailymotion.com/video/x7z3vb_gary-moore-im-still-in-love-with-yo_music
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:10:25:07:18:37 by Ged.
For all those who think we have gone completely mad I would clarify as follows.
I did happen to mention in my observations of Uxbridge that many outgrounds had a church.I simply wish to reassure my jewish friends I have not changed religion.
I,on a perdsonal note, must say how pleased I was to meet and chat to Groundie over the festival and a nicer guy you could not hope to meet.
I have also learned that at the end of the day, where Middlesex play their home games, is relatively unimportant in the great scheme of things
What is important is our great, if sometimes, infuriating club and the friends one makes while watching this wonderful game.
Thanks again Groundie,
The 'erection' showed innovation and plenty of imagination.
Have a good winter mate.
Interesting and amusing in turn.
Intrigued by the reference to the 'feeling of negativity that surrounds the present environment'. I gues we all have felt it this year, even on this board - or especially on this board!
Thanks from me, too.
Brilliant report , a super festival of cricket and my best wishes for the winter to all involved at Uxers , your all atars regardless of what the Southers mob might say !!
Radlett for first class cricket ? You can stick it up your bum !!!!!!
Should I know who Lorraine Poole is BTW?
(Coming in from the) Adelaide (end)
A superb two parter,brings the whole Uxbridge festival alive again.
A gang of hard workers who gave us plenty of cricket action and i raise my empty beer glass to you all(drying out after the season!)
If you can put your feet up do so my friend as you deserve to.Oh yea,i couldnt do the conga down the Cowley Road,was to busy bouncing of hedges and fences.
Your a star mate,thanks.
Thanks everyone for the positive feedback and will answer in due course.
Vic.
Just my gentle attempt at humour I am afraid.
Vic, are you trying to tell me that all Gerry says is not true. Surely not. You will be telling me there is no Father Christmas next. (Awaits PM from himself)
I hope that through writing the report as a journal, the ups and downs of the event were captured. It was extremely easy and enjoyable to come home in the evening (or middle of the night) and set down my thoughts.
The negativity that one mentioned was very evident from day 1, no longer was there the usual feeling of a happy relaxed camp. Few of the players were friendly even those who had been so the previous season or earlier in the year during the T20 game. Everyone seemed on edge for some reason. I spoke to Chris Silverwood about it, he was surprised that it was so easy to spot but nonetheless wouldn't deny it's existence.
There was, during the period the hope of being awarded the 2nd X1 home base, but because of difficulties it has gone to Radlett. A major and sad loss.
I know the powers that be look on occasionally and I apologise if sometimes I say too much but it has been my pleasure to be involved in a small way with the club. For anyone who doesn't know Lorraine let me say, she is the heartbeat of this organisation and without her it would be a lot poorer.
Thank you for your time and I hope to renew friendships in the near future.
Vic.
