Ton Not Enough

By Barmy Kev and the Yorkshire 1
August 18 2011

Barmy Kev as the Middlesex 1 reports with help of the Yorkshire 1 on an exciting run chase for both Kev and Kent.

It was a tough decision whether to go to this game. It was live on TV, it was going to be cold, we are almost out the competition and Canterbury from past experience not the easiest place to get to and back from late. On checking train times was thinking I would be completely put off, but saw there was a new high speed service from London St Pancras International that takes just under an hour to Canterbury West. The usual routes of Charing Cross/ Victoria trains take almost twice as long. Couldn't think of another excuse for not going and despite the feeling of being only Middlesex fan there was up for it. I've travelled to Yorkshire and Holland for this tournament. Go for it Kev, so I did.

I arrive at St Pancras and kind of remembering Kent stops on last Eurosatar trip thought this would be route. I was redirected by a bemused Continental to another area and made my way to the South East Railways ticket area. The only blow here was cost of return more then I paid for my advanced booking for Leeds and Chesterfield trips. The train was very impressive, even a socket under every seat which was as well as my lapdog was not powered up. In 5 minutes was at Stratford International station, bodes well for Olympics The journey was very smooth and arrived at Canterbury West in good time. This station is about a mile and half from ground unlike Canterbury East, which is about 3/4 mile, but thanks to Google Maps and a bus I arrived outside St Lawrence Ground with half an hour to spare. So thought I'd pop into Bat and Ball pub for a quick drink, where I bumped into an acquaintance Matt Goss (not the Bros one) who I'd met from previous Barmy Army England trips who happened be celebrating his 40th birthday with many Kent fans and one Yorkshire fan. I was invited to join the party. When in ground the mood was set when Matt chanted at fielder by boundary edge " Whoa Jo Denly. Whoa Jo Denly. He comes from Whitstable, he's good with bat and ball." Other feature of ground was I remember last visit was disappointed to see the big lime tree, replaced by small tree, this visit another difference a giant building site as back drop. The soul of ground has certainly been taken away.

The normal practice amongst Kent masses 1 pound sweepstake to guess the 1st innings score. I went for 235, which was less, apart from a couple of wild suggestions, off of the norm. Matt went for highest 261. The Kent fans suggested I over-estimated their bowling ability, while I thought I was being realistic about our batting ability.

The cricket detail will be short, as most of you know what happened. Kent open bowling with James Tredwell, why don't we use this tactic I asked myself and we don't make the best of power play.?Matters get worse Scott Newman seems to nick one, while opposition are celebrating he stands his ground, Given out, not happy. Stirling and Malan are pushing us ahead nicely. A four towards me was wildly celebrated followed by Coops text telling me I need to work on my dancing. Malan was caught on boundary superb diving catch by Denly, I was disappointed as Kent fans cheered, but we all missed it was a free hit. Runs were coming on easily then Stirling who was dominating partnership was stumped off leg side wide, he walked back and then they checked with 3rd umpire and Stirling was watching as he was walking out. Dext and AC were scoring even quicker now. A Yorkshire 1 amongst us commented, "I've seen Malan bat 10 times and never seen him get more then 14 runs". Lo and behold AC reached his ton to a rapturous ovation from the Middlesex 1 followed by a Barmy solo AC chant. " On your own, On your own" was the Kent fans reply. To be fair the Kent fans and the Yorkshire 1 were generous in their subdued applause. 300 score looked likely especially when Riaz bowled 3 successive front foot no balls. Then a massive collapse followed. From 239 for 2 we ended up all out for 263. Riaz was 0-36 after 5 overs and ended up 5-44 at end of spell. Matt Goss was happy as he won sweepstake. The Kent fans thought we had got enough.

It looked like we did get enough as 1st over goes for 3 and Smudge opens bowling with a maiden. Told you early spin good idea. 50 opening stand at no great pace was followed by 3 quick wickets. It looked really promising. Stevens and North East began to turn it round, but once this partnership broken followed by Errant Jones we were looking at probable victory. I was conscious of catching 10:25 last train home from Canterbury West and stayed as long as I could and left ground with 51 needed off 6 overs with 4 wickets left. Walking back to station I was aware that I was behind the D&L for catching train. I started running through Canterbury town centre and on station approach could see last train coming in. Can't miss this, having missed end of game and potentially stuck in Canterbury overnight. Luckily no bridges or barriers as I sprinted and on train just as doors closing. As doors shutting I asked whether this was St Pancras train, thankfully "yes" was resounding answer. My guess this all happened more or less at time match was over

I thought I would check phone for score, but it ran out of juice. No Wi-Fi on train so went home not aware of the result but confident we won. On arrival home I checked MTWD and was gutted we lost. We are now almost certainly out of tournament.

I'm reflecting on enjoyable time in company of Kent fans who would have given me no end of stick had I stayed to the end. Some I will face over next couple of days, but I'm hoping by then we will have something to shout about. On journey back from day 1 of LVCC the Yorkshire 1 joined me. He recapped on what I missed for CB40 game and commented on 2 dropped catches towards the end that cost us, especially one tipped over the bar for 6 runs. He also said good game and exciting finish for the neutral. 

Personally , I'm still gutted we lost.