Victory at Sway

Despite the threat of rain and persistent drizzle in the second half of the afternoon, Verwood Cricket Club recorded their second win of the season to leave them in fifth place after the first month of the new league. Sway have always been close rivals and they went into the game top of the table following three straight wins. Having lost the toss, Verwood batted first and made slow progress at first with the pitch slow and low. The session following drinks led to an increase in the scoring rate and we ended up at 157 for 8.

Unusually there were two all run fours with the second coming from the last ball of the innings, beautifully struck through the covers by Chris Joliffe. John made a steady 49 to end as top scorer, complemented by his tight bowling spell. Another Chris, this time Mitchell, bowled well in the conditions with five wickets to show for his efforts. He also completed a run out with the batsman totally stranded which left a seemingly tight match there for the taking. The final wicket fell with Sway 27 runs short.

I took 2 for 21 meaning my figures are 6 for 43 so far this season and also contributed 19 not out to the total leading to an average of 19.

Washed up and washed out

Two defeats in a row have become three defeats in a row following the game on Monday. We lost 4 - 2 to a new team to the league who played very well throughout. There were no weak links in their team and they passed and moved, a combination of factors which are always going to defeat us!

I'm pleased to say that no one played poorly, it was in fact a good performance, just not enough although it looked like we could have hung for a draw at one stage.

They took the lead in the first half but a goal from a good cross field ball by Matt presented the ball in front of goal after a collision between the keeper and defender. A left foot strike took the ball high into the net and things remained level until the break. Once again Thirty Plus fell behind but once again we drew level from a great headed goal from Dave. He made good runs all evening and found himself free with the keeper to beat. A cross was met firmly and confidently which left something like five minutes to see out. Unfortunately that was not to be and they ran in a couple of goals as we pressed too much perhaps or maybe more accurately, ran out of steam a little.

Kev Dom Dom Matt Matt Dave 1 Iain 1 (5)

Today's cricket has already been called off and the sun has just come out. Too late however following the delgue last night and more rain early this morning. Why couldn't it have been last week for the cup final and Glen's presentation?!

Football fantasy, cricket catastrophe

A mixed Saturday as far as sport was concerned for the family. Lets do the good stuff first.

Glen's presentation evening was fantastic as he came home with 3 trophies and a medal following Rossgarth's successful season in which they achieved back to back promotion, just missing out on the league with defeat in the last game. The runners up spot meant all the boys received a medal and trophy which would have been enough but Glen was also awarded trophies for most improved player and players' player of the year. He was so excited and pleased he could barely sleep after the presentations and I feel very proud of him especially given his relatively late start with the team.

Sadly I missed the actual presentation as I was playing in my first game of cricket of the season for Verwood. Having won the opening game the previous week, the team was fairly confident although we were missing 4 frontline bowlers. We played down at Mudeford and I had to captain in Dan's absence. I am afraid the bowling was initially unthreatening except to the wicketkeeper and Chris down at fine leg as the ball was sprayed about all over the place. We gave away 40 extras! They finished on 172 all out with Ali taking 3 for 48, Adam 3 for 52 and myself 4 for 22 off 12 overs.

Our innings got off to a very poor start with the board reading 10 for 3 after a few overs. That meant the going became very slow and we never looked like recovering despite 36 from Mark and 33 from Steve. In the end we lost by 40 runs, the number of extras which essentially provided a 12th man for the opposition.

Now it's Monday and I am suffering from the effects of bowling for the first time since August as I ache all down the right side. If only it was because of the sheer pace I generated but I am getting even slower!

Garden Birds

Two of the pictures show an unusually marked starling which has a number of white patches making it easily identifiable. It is on the bird table with a collared dove and another starling. The other photos are of a jackdaw which nests on our roof down the chimney and the blue tits which are nesting in the sparrow terrace. They are back and forth so frequently with small caterpillers and spiders for the young that taking pictures is quite straight forward. Nevertheless I was pleased with the picture of the bird leaving the box wings whirring as the timing was important.

Beautiful May Garden

Sorry to bore any readers with these photos but I wanted a record of the garden at this time of year when it is probably at its best. There are many bluebells and a a carpet of forget me nots which have small tulips dotted among them.

The pond has established itself nicely now and is populated by tadpoles, water boatmen, pond skaters etc. It doesn't take long.

Maisie managed to feature herself in the patio picture and is still doing well after her 'op'. No puppies for her.

Thirty Plus - another defeat

We had a tough game despite a full strength side and came out 4 - 1 losers. Our opponents had that little bit of extra fitness (like most others) and were all competent players and yet at one nil at half time and following an equalizer early in the second half, we were right in there with a shout. Their second goal made such a difference in leaving us chasing the game and it owed a great deal to good fortune. A long shot was kicked clear by Kev in goal but the power and swerve behind it meant he caught it at an angle. The ball deflected out and across the goal striking Simon and glancing into an empty net. I don't think we deserved such ill fortune but there was no arguing with the other two goals where we left short at the back as we pressed for an equalizer.

I'm not sure whether the physical impact of their game made a difference as well but they were certainly up for it, appealling for everything and moaning at the ref at every opportunity. There's nothing like the sound of sour grapes is there!

KEV SIMON DOM DOM MATT DAVE IAIN 1 (4)

Plymouth trip - Elm win!!

Sunday was the day of the under 14 cup final involving Lewis managed by his Dad, Paul. I went down on the saturday and had a walk around Plymbridge which you can see in the first two photos. The viaduct shown has a National Trust Peregrine Falcon watch in place with telescopes set up so that walkers and cyclists can observe the nesting birds on Cann Quarry rock face. I was able to see the female feeding the chicks and have a link if you are interested.

http://www.plym-peregrines.co.uk/webcam.html

Between the two football photos is a picture of two of my nieces, Emily and Grace enjoying the early morning sunshine as we waited to set off for the football. The pictures give away the fact that they won the game and were presented with the trophy and, more importantly it seemed, the boys got to gulp down as much champagne as they could before a teammate stole the bottle off them.

Lewis was captain and betrayed inexperience in collecting the cup as he ambled up rather shyly and neglected to turn with the trophy raised aloft. It was more of an awkward semi-smile and give it someone else as quickly as possible.

The gane itself was close although the first half was dominated by Elm, Paul's team. They should hav ehad more than a one goal advantage at half time but there looked to be only one winner at that time. However, the opposition were far better after the restart and competed well trying to froce an equaliser. They didn't really create too much and it was only going to be a mistake which let them back in. During a nervous last few minutes substitutions became important in ensuring a solid midfield and defence and the ref eventually blew the whistle for a 1 - 0 victory.

Well done Lewis, Paul and Elm.

Charleston House nr Brighton

The weekend before last, Alison and I spent a weekend in Brighton where we visited Charleston House which turned about to be a wonderful place with beautiful gardens and a fantastic pond. The artwork inside the house was quite childlike but taken together they made quite an impression.

www.charleston.org.uk


Charleston was the home and country meeting place for the writers, painters and intellectuals known as the Bloomsbury Group. The interior was painted by the artists Duncan Grant and Vanessa Bell, and together with their collection forms a unique example of their decorative style.

At least that's what the website says. We had a guide in her seventies show us round and it was fascinating to hear her talk about the way just about everyone fell in love with everyone else regardless of gender and changed their relationships frequently. The passages between the rooms must have become crowded at night with people tiptoeing from one room to another.