“A lot better thanks” she replies, and almost immediately continues “I see your lot got thrashed by our Foxton Cricket team in the Keatley Cup the other week!”
“I wouldn’t call it thrashed” I replied – “we did lose yes – we didn’t play very well on the night”.
“I hear that you are out of the Village Cup as well”
“Yes – we didn’t play very well on the day – but we’re doing well in Herts Division 1.”
“Foxton are doing OK in their league and they are in the inter-county rounds of the Village Cup. We are going to Mistley on Sunday to watch them”.
“That’s nice” I reply, “I hope they win, and that you have a good day out. We beat Mistley very comfortably last year so you ought to be all-right for a win”.
Later in the day I am walking in Royston when I bump into another cricketing acquaintance.
“Hello John, long time no see – I see your lot got stuffed by Thriplow in the Keatley Cup the other night!”
“I wouldn’t say stuffed exactly – we didn’t have that strong a team out and we didn’t play very well on the night” I replied.
“I heard that 5 of your Lords Final team played?”
“Well, Yes, but …..”
“I suppose that all that success goes to peoples heads and they just think they have to turn up to win?”.
“I don’t think I would agree with that, but I’m sure we are a big target for everyone – Lovely to see you – Must dash!”
I dive into the bookies to escape!
Here I happen upon another local cricket acquaintance!
“Hello John – what are you doing in here? Come to lose some more money? – I see your lot just managed to beat Royston in the Keatley Cup last week”.
“Well actually I heard we won rather easily!”
“I heard that for an alleged top rank team your lot bowled OK but batting wise looked like a bunch of “sloggers” – no real class”
“I wouldn’t have thought so – I expect they wanted to get the game over and done with before it rained!” “Must dash! – Bye”
Later that evening I am out for a pint and a meal in the Fox and Duck in Therfield.
“Hello John – What are you doing up here?” Oh God it’s another old Cricketing pal!
“I see your lot are struggling in the North Herts League – Lost twice already and looking unlikely that you will get promoted out of Division 2?”
“I don’t know about that – it’s early days – we’ve still got to play you and that should be good for a win!”
“You seem to be struggling this year – I hear that you are out of the Village Cup, the County Cup and are probably out of the Keatley Cup”
“Actually we are doing pretty well in Saturday League Cricket – Our 1st Xl have beaten Hitchin 1st Xl and St Albans 1st Xl and are near the top of their table – our 2nds and 3rds are around the top of their leagues – and our 4th Xl are doing OK”
“Well all I can I say is that if you can’t beat Thriplow, and barely beat Royston – and lose to Bragbury and Graveley, your League can’t be up to much! – Have a nice meal – See you!.
It’s not safe to be on the streets at the moment!
The moral of the story – local perceptions of quality and worth are based on local results!
Don’t switch off or take the sometime perceived “lesser games” too casually, especially when they are the few that you actually play against local Cricketers.
Everyone is out to “prove themselves” against you.
Let’s put a few back in their cages!
(This Weekly column is written by John Heslam Club Chairman of Reed Cricket Club. The views expressed in the article are his own and do not necessarily comprise those of the Clubs General Committee)
