Going up! Going Up!

By Barmy Kev
December 10 2022

This is my final MTWD offering. My perspective of our promotion. Unsure if going up, we have a chance I end up in Fawlty Towers and the many doubtful moments if going up will actually happen. 

Build Up

So it’s now down to the final game for our 2022 promotion. We are 9 points ahead of Glam, who have seemingly an easy game against Sussex. There are no floodlights at Worcs, which may prove to be a disadvantage to us. Notts are also catchable because the team we are playing comprehensively beat them last week. I’m also getting mixed messages about what would happen if we finished equal with Glam.  Day 1, I have a religious Jewish festival I choose to observe and day 2. I am working in a line of work I can’t make last minute decisions of tactical skiving. Potentially I can make days 3 and 4. Lots of permutations, here’s hoping.

Day 1 

This is the Jewish New Year, a festival of forgivenes!  To combine religious practise and following Middlesex not easy and I was disciplined to avoid my phone in the morning at Synagogue. 

I hear later we won the toss put Worcs in, we take a wicket first ball of day. The streaming is bad, so for afternoon it is Ceefax views. It was quite painful waiting for wickets. Close of play 167-8.  Meanwhile on limited play at Hove. Glam look set for max batting points.

Day 2

I have poured a large G&T for this recollection of this day. Bad start, weather forecast at Worcs not so good and Hove is better. 

The reason I cannot attend, I’m scheduled to facilitate a group therapy session 11.00-12.30.   My check of phone 10.59 no further wickets and Glamorgan batting with ease. I’m the one now in need of therapy. During a break half an hour later, still no wickets down.  

When released to the community, not sure what to make of Worcs 225 all out. I hear Eski unwell so we have potentially lost a batsman and hear two Sussex players are injured possibly out of game. Robbo out for a duck and Sussex lose early wicket. As I was losing hope following scores, MTWD message board emotions were running high and a poster here reminded me why I really don’t want to continuing moderating the site.  Following previous day, my powers for forgiveness were severely tested. 

Early afternoon. I had a break from social media and had no intention of attending the game. On my return to the world of cricket,  I saw Sussex are scoring freely not losing wickets and we are digging in. At close, Sussex 1 and we only 2 wickets down. I hastily look at accommodation at Worcester, all prices mega expensive. There is an affordable one at Severn right by the ground, which I recall as a shit hole of a pub.  Nevertheless all said and done, Worcester here I come.

Day 3

On journey I’m contemplating 3 reasonable promotion options. We win, Sussex hang on, we score 400 runs in 110 overs. In my mind this is order of likelihood.  I’m thinking of marginal losses of bonus points especially for last two games. 

Similar to Leicester I’m on train as days play started and I approach Worsc Station my phone tells me simaltaneously Middlesex and Sussex lose a wicket, followed by an audible expletive from me.

I approch New Road not in good state of mind very confused why the scoreboard was not movin  on my phone I discover a 10-minute break due to Eski bat being too wide or having a sticker on it, oh well at least he is fit. I advised those around me, I booked the Severn Hotel to much derision from experience, which explained the much lower price. 

3 more Sussex wickets have fallen. However, Malan and Eski are looking comfortable and scoring at a reasonable rate.   There was a point we need 150 off 40 overs.  Throughout the required rate was just over 4.  With Malan and Eski losing their wickets after magnificent contribution, Simmo continued the good work and 400 looked more and more likely.

This is a bit fuzzy, not sure exactly.  But at tea I think we needed 22 in 5 overs with 5 wickets down. Yhat break was the longest 20 minutes of my life.

Worcs were giving nothing away with their bowling and we had static periods.  We lost Higgo and Hollman looks very nervous and scratchy with his batting. There was massive relief of successive boundaries. Then with 10 balls to spare a 4 right by where I’m seated. W e are promoted, ecstasy that is beyond belief and lots of chanting Thanks for ex Fulham footballer Cliff Carr and Phil (The Power) Taylor being by my side through this incredible roller coaster,

I'm making random walks round the ground. Thereafter, TRJ made a quick 50, taking game completely out of Worcs reach. It did not matter but good to hear Sussex tail is wagging.

That evening Don Shelley had as not leaving Middlesex yet party. All the players were there, what a celebration. Phew!   

Day 4 

I had a bit of sore head, but pain eased knowing it was always in a good cause.  Time for a shower, no hot water, perhaps the cold shower did me good. A hearty breakfast was shared with some Middlesex fans. It was peeing down, forecast suggested early rain but this was unrelenting. I checked out of the hotel wanting some refund for room, receptionist advised manager not available until lunch. 

I make the way to ground with seemingly not much prospect of play. A very unfriendly greeting insisting, I paid full amount and would get a refund if less than 25 overs play.  I’m going on a walk round picturesque River Severn and somehow made way to station,

 I’m off home now, forget about hotel refund and waiting for any unlikely play. I share the train journey home with London Leprechaun one of MTWD’s saviours for me. We reflect on match, then future of County Cricket and MTWD, Sussex heading for draw. We hear no play day 4 at Worcs. We confirmed as promoted. All a bit of an anti climax.

Final Reflection

It is great to be in division 1. 1 look forwarded to season ahead, with a strange feel about it and cautious optimism  

This is my last MTWD report. Lke all my offerings it’s been a pleasure sharing reflective journals of my experience for you all.

Take care and be kind to each other.          

(Barmy) Kev