A win away

By Barmy Kev
April 25 2022

Kev reports on catching the tail end of a comprehensive Middlesex victory.

Saturday was a potentially planned day for attending as a day trip.  At a few stages it looked like it wouldn’t go that far. On Friday afternoon checking the score I decided if there were 3 or more wickets to take, I would make the journey. Bad light Friday worked in favour of this. 

I aimed for the 8.35 train changing at Reading. On Paddington scoreboard there were a number of cancellations. Fortunately none were affecting my journey. Having arrived at Cardiff 10:40, I was confident I could walk to ground in 20 minutes.  I should have but got slightly lost. Then having arrived outside just before proposed start the usual gate 1 for entry was shut.  I had to walk, well run, to gate 4. Pay a fiver for entry, arrive in ground just as TRJ prises Glam’s main hope Sam Northeast.

 I was able to walk round the ground and catch up with a few people I hadn’t seen a while. As well as usual welfare questions, it was good to hear how well we had played throughout this game. There was a bit of Handscomb sarcasm about his batting, “he looked good until he was out”, but was commented on how well he captained our side in the field.

I was really enjoying the occasion and was hoping for a recovery from Glam to give me more time here. It was not to be as TRJ gets a fiver and then Helm clears tail. There was a discussion what their last wicket record stand was. If they achieved this target would be set 55 and we would dramatically collapse.  Helm cluttered Hogan’s stumps , match over, when this was suggested.  

All this way for 45 minutes cricket. Of course worth it  to watch a Middlesex win, with a solo mandatory chant from me at the end.

It would be rude not to try out local hostelries and grateful for Rogers and Out, Phil Catchpole and Welsh Dave (Diamond’s bless him, best friend) for their company.  It was a great celebratory catch up.  We thought we would let the wedding couple know our score. 

Congratulation to Middlesex too