Neil's Eleven...Bat it Out in the “Garden of England”

With England winning the “Ashes” after a great battle against the Australians, the joy for British cricket fans across the world erupted in jubilation after the final score was announced, none more-so than in it's homeland where this gentleman's sport was originally invented and first played.

Now it rates as one of the most favourite international games that consumes the passions of millions, young and old throughout the world.

This has sparked off a tremendous amount of interest in the game with many cricket clubs across England enrolling a mass of new enthusiasts who can't wait to don the pads, gloves and get into the pleasure of playing.

A local cricket club near Edenbridge now offers a unique opportunity to actually hire the cricket ground to those who not only derive great pleasure in playing the game, but it also gives companies and their employees or businessmen and their clients, a chance to try out their cricket skills and play some matches against each other.They can also have a wonderful day out for themselves, their friends and family, not only playing the game but to watch and have wonderful afternoon out in the tranquillity of the Kent countryside.

You can throw a blanket on the ground, bring a sun lounger or chair and have a picnic and just laze in the sun, on lush green grass and enjoy a great day out.

On Sunday afternoon, Neil Reader a local Edenbridge man, took advantage of hiring the cricket ground to celebrate his birthday by organising a cricket match with three teams playing, consisting of family, friends and work associates from the NMB Insurance company in the City of London.

Many workmates and friends travelled from Norwich and London as well as other distant parts of the country to have a great day out and celebrate Neil's Birthday, then to bat it out together in the summer sunshine.

Everyone was looking forward to these three friendly matches, it soon got under way with all the players taking their positions around the field, the man batting was alert and ready as the bowler hurled the ball towards him, as leather cracked on willow the ball flew over the heads of the fielders who scrambled after it, after a frantic run a score of four was made, with the crowd clapping and shouting their delight.

It was a pleasure to witness the occasion where friends, families and children were scattered around the vast cricket ground all enjoying this day out together, hampers were opened, food and drink laid out and cheers and clapping was heard by each teams supporters...especially when one was out with a “Duck”!

After the three matches were played, the “Man of the Match”- was split between two players - Rob Camp and Phil Davies (who travelled down from Liverpool) who were presented with prizes of bottles of wine, followed by cheering and clapping by the crowd of supporters. This special day-out day at the cricket ground turned out to be a spectacular occasion, where everyone had great fun and a very enjoyable time.

everyone had great fun and a very enjoyable time

Scores and Teams as follows:

Team Captain. Neil 'Speedy' Reader...Team Name - Readers '3 & 0'

Team Captain. Neil 'Lardy' Watson...Team Name - Lardy's Losers

Team Captain. Jason 'Bruv' Reader...Team Name - Big Brother Casuals

Game 1: 10 overs each (max 1 over per player)

Readers '3 & 0': 57 for 4

Batting: Rob Camp 15 not out...Andrew Gardener 16 not out

Bowling: Dean Hitchcock 1wkt for 4 runs (he caught and bowled the birthday boy...)T-Shirt John 0 wkts for 11 runs (some were saying he should have stayed on the M25!)

Lardys Losers: 58 for 5 off 9.4 overs

Batting: Dean Hitchcock 17 not out... Liam O'Riordan 12 not out

Lardy & T-Shirt John 0 (Duck). See note above re T-Shirt John)

Bowling: Papa Reader 1wkt for 1 run - Nick Gatfield 1wkt for 1 run

Game 2: 10 overs each (max 1 over per player)

Readers '3 & 0': 55 for 5

Batting: Craig Williams 10, Andrew Gardner 17 not out, Lee Cumberland 0 (run out by his own player Papa Reader without faces a ball)

Bowling: Graham Herbert 1 wkt for 1 run, Jason Reader 0 wkts for 16 runs (A.Gardener tore into him during last over)

Big Brother Casuals: 57 for 6 off 10 overs

Batting: Dave Harrison 15, Jason Reader 0 (that's still only 2 runs in 4 years)

Bowling: Rob Camp 2 wkts for 0 runs (double wicket maiden - in fact it was a triple wicket maiden but the rules are batsmen cannot be out 1st ball)

Game 3: 10 overs each (max 1 over per player)

The Final. Lardy's Losers v Big Brother Casuals.

Big Brother Casuals 52 for 4 off 10 overs

Batting: Nigel Clark 12, Wayne Nowak 14 not out

Bowling: James Staples (Fwank) 1wkt for 4 runs, T-Shirt John 0 wkts for 9 runs (we heard, "don't worry, he'll be back on the M25 soon").

Lardys Losers: 53 for 3 off 8.3 overs

Batting: Andrew Hallworth16 not out, Phil Davies 15 not out( T-Shirt John, run out for 3.... surely he is back on the M25 now !!)

Bowling: Pete Faulkner 1 wkt for 9 runs...Gerald Darlinson 0 wkts for 12 runs. Rest of the wickets were Run Outs !

Neil 'Lardy' Watson returned to Norwich with the 'Reader Cup'...

FOR ONE YEAR ONLY !!!

Neil wishes to express his grateful thanks to all his family and friends that made this a special birthday treat and making it a “Special Day” to Remember!

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a “Special Day” to Remember