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This is the section of the site where the club members are able to relate amusing tales and anecdotes about their time with the club. Simply e-mail any items suitable for inclusion to the Webmaster for review and possible addition to the site. |
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In a Sunday friendly match at Shipphams in Chichester in the late 1980s, a thin edge bisected first and second slip, Nick Wells and Paul Weston respectively. Both, displaying uncharacteristic agility, went for the catch one handed. Remarkably, their fingers interlocked as they went for the catch and they came up essentially holding hands with the ball firmly clasped between them. If you’re having difficulty visualising this, get a cricket ball and put it in your right hand; interlock the fingers of your left hand into those of your right hand; bring your palms together to hold the ball firmly and now imagine that your right hand is at full extension and that the other hand is someone else’s! Discussions as to how to record half-a-catch each in the scorebook were resolved when Paul “donated” his half to Nick, Nick being captain at the time. |
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In another Sunday match at TCBF Langstone in the early 1990s, Graham Preece, opening the batting, was out for 51 with the score on 53. One bye had also been recorded at that point. The other opener was none other than our esteemed former chairman - Nick ‘Nudger’ Wells. Now how did he get that nickname? |
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In 1999, our first recorded lady player took part in two Sunday matches. Caralee Turner, a South African and sister of one of our Saturday players was something of a secret weapon in the field as Droxford were to discover to their cost. On seeing the ball down at a very wide long-off, and Caralee about to pick the ball up, the Droxford batsman on strike decide to call for the “easy” third. However, Caralee is a first-class softball player, and had broken the stumps with one of her deadly-accurate ground-skimming missile throws before the batsmen had even crossed! |
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Low Flying Aircraft (submitted by Trevor Lee and Phil Stride) |
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During a league match at the old ground at Havant Plant the IBM model aeroplane club were meeting to the seaward side of the clubhouse. One of the “pilots” insisted on flying his aircraft over the cricket pitch. After a while Andy Weaver took umbrage to this. He held his hand up to stop the bowler from bowling then marched purposefully over to the modellers. After explaining by word and gesture that the next time the plane buzzed the cricket pitch, then the offending model would be positioned somewhere where no sunlight would ever reach it, the nuisance stopped. History doesn’t record which match this was, so we can’t determine how Mr. Weaver’s performance was affected. |
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During Nick Wells’ tenure as Sunday captain a match was played against Portsmouth Academics. During one of Doug Robertson’s overs, Doug being a larger-than-life character in every sense, Nick, fielding close in got struck on the head and had to leave the field. Paul Weston assumed the captaincy and in true captain’s style immediately marched over to Doug and asked him “what he wanted”. After a brief pause, Doug replied, “A cup of tea and a blow-job please”. |
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On the subject of Doug Robertson, he was always one to have a ready answer. On tour at Farmers Insurance in Stratford-upon-Avon one year, the Saturday skipper, Phil Stride (also known for his introvert personality) asked Doug where he would like him to field when he was brought on to bowl. In a flash came Doug’s reply - “Newbury”! |
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