Cheers JD

By Barmy Kev
July 21 2011

Barmy Kev has a difficult start today, but unlike Sorry he is not in hot water.    He reports on an unlikely hero and many twists and turns.

I overslept a touch, which made arriving for the start of game difficult. Then I reckon if elements are in my favour I will probably get there for 11:15. No chance as discovered our hot water not working. Reported this to British Gas was on hold for ages, but was consoled by the fact that a recorded monotonous voice assured me how much my call is "valued". As I was definitely going to be late, I texted Beefy to see if he can provide a report of 1st session.  At time he was behind on D&L due to Jubilee and Met Line like my hot water not running. To think 4 days earlier we were an hour and half too early to catch train to Leeds On my way to Guildford I passed St John's Wood station before 11. Why couldn't our game be switched with Test Match for my convenience? As I got off train at Waterloo thought only two stops to Oval with no extra fare cost. Oh well off at Waterloo at 11:30. Learned from previous day not to catch the 33 past Guildford train, which took an hour, stopping at places that served no passengers like Cobham and Stoke D’Aberon. Went for the 11:45 to Pompey which co-incidentally was start of play. When arrived at Guildford Station score according to phone was Middx 131-4. I remember when I left train previous day 0 wickets down and we lost 2 for 4 on my way to the ground. I got to ground and score was 148-4, phew. I witnessed the century partnership up, which was followed by on 59 Rogers so plum LBW he walked before umpire finger was up. I was then worried as previous wickets were in 2s, but we survived to lunch without any alarms.

Beefy kindly took lots of notes on what I missed. I'm providing edited highlights of this. 2 Slurry members chatting nearby 1 said, " I came here last year and it rained". I think "go away then". He also praised Bucko's steady 50.

Just after lunch with JD on 48. Sorry were celebrating his wicket "caught" behind. Sadly for them the umpire didn't raise a finger. His 50 soon after was loudly applauded from our Guildford adopted Vermin Corner. An amusing incident followed on the boundary edge, a portly gentleman asked a Sorry fielder " What are you doing here"? Hmmm! The shot of the afternoon a glorious cover drive for 4 by Simmo. Next ball he was out LBW.  By his look not happy with decision.

Steven Crook either good or very bad, innings consisted of being dropped at 1st slip, missed caught behind, riding his luck, that enabled him to score 6 and then 3rd time Sorry lucky out for 6 caught at 1^st slip. At 191-7 I was just hoping for a bonus point.

The bonus point looked good at 298. Then de Bruyn appealed for " catch" behind charging up the wicket, given not out. He exchanged verbals with Dial M and next ball he was dispatched for 4, more verbal’s followed and a bonus point. Dial M was blocking well and slashing hard.

Great shot Dial M

When Dial M out with score at 225 was case of grateful for 1 bonus point and thinking 2 will be an added bonus.  Finn didn't last much longer caught and bowled happened really quickly and I was looking for ball at long off before I realised a wicket.

At 237-9 JD on 76 Collymore coming out to bat, not confident about 2nd bonus point. JD spoke to Corey and guess advice was something to effect “don't do anything stupid”. Wasn't sure how much of this advice would be taken notice off. I was pleasantly surprised Corey played with straight bat and JD happy to protect him from strike until towards end of over. A sublime JD straight 6 with everyone on boundary bought us to 248 and then 250 reached with ease. Next landmark the JD ton. On 96 JD took single early in over and Corey blocked everything and left the rubbish. A pulled 4 off James Dernbach bought up JD’s ton. First chant of day" There's only 1 JD". I qualified this by saying batsman not bowler. Now who said Rymps shouldn't play, oh yeah me amongst others. Next landmark to go for was 50 partnership. At 277 a mix up yes no yes no from Owais school of running Corey and JD at same end, this looked like the end. A bad throw, slow hands somehow enabled JD scampered back in time. 50 partnership reached thanks to a vital 7 achieved by Corey. Half an hour to go, who would have thought 300 would be achievable and this was achieved by 6 over long leg. " 6 runs and a bonus point" was the chant. When Corey finally out on 308 we were passed caring.

Early tea taken and the heavens opened.

Only rain can save the Sorry now

So it was straight down to the pub opposite. I'd thought I’d type notes for report on lapdog here and somehow as sitting down I broke the chair. It was one of those you had to be there moments.  After an hour and half Kimmy was sent to ground to find out if any prospects of play. She reported play had been abandoned for day a while back.

A journey home made via some pit stops. Got on Met Line train at Finchley Road on my own and bumped into Gus Fraser on way back from test match.  He was happy to talk to me and was at Guilford yesterday and thought Sorry didn’t make most of helpful conditions and wickets more a case of batsman’s undoing.   From his Ceefax view thought our score today impressive and if conditions same tomorrow we have good chance of bowling Sorry out twice.

Weather permitting game on. Cheers JD I've always rated you.