The 2020 Fixture Card will not now be published, (well, certainly not in its original format)! Here is an article I asked Ann & Paul Garrott to write describing their day in the September sunshine at Lord’s.
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On a glorious sunny mid-September morning, we arrived at Lord’s, the home of cricket. Reed CC had once again made it to this illustrious, iconic venue to challenge Houghton Main for the National Village Cup trophy.
Ann and I were honoured to have been asked to take charge of the photography for the day, as we had done two years ago. We waited at the Grace Gates for the Reed players to arrive. Skipper Tom Greaves, followed by the rest of the team made their way through the turnstiles and past security. There was nervous excitement etched across their faces, reality of where they were and the day that lay ahead. The glistening replica World Cup near the entrance acting as a symbol of what had been and could be achieved.
The supporters arrived soon after and it was surreal seeing people that are normally seen wandering around the boundary at Reed (the second home of cricket!) queuing with their picnic hampers to come to show their support.
Having access into the pavilion was an honour in itself; to climb the stairs that the great and good have climbed and not feel daunted by Viv Richards staring down at you from the wall. To see “Reed CC” proudly displayed outside the changing room near a portrait of Ian Botham was another ‘pinch yourself’ moment.
The view from the balcony could not have been more perfect, with the sun beaming down on the hallowed turf. The iconic Father Time, the futuristic Press and Media Centre, the crowds slowly filling one stand, set the scene. Team and individual photos were taken in the changing room, on the balcony, in front of the pavilion, everywhere we could, to ensure all had their moment in the spotlight. As photographers, we were allowed on to the pitch for the all-important toss, which Tom duly won, and elected to field first.
Houghton Main started sprightly and Reed were a little scratchy, but the bowlers soon got into their work, restricting runs and picking up wickets at regular intervals. There was one sickening moment when their opening batsmen deflected a ball into his face and was laid out on the ground. He was taken to hospital, which was unsettling for players and spectators alike. Houghton Main went on to make a modest 160 for 8 from their 40 overs.
At the interval we continued to take photos of unsuspecting supporters. Trying to capture the atmosphere of the day, with the steel band in full flow outside the Harris Garden and everybody in festive mood, enjoying their lunch.
The start of Reed’s innings did not go to plan at 16 for 2 they were on the back foot. However, skipper Tom Greaves (67 not out) and a half-century from Rob Lankester soon put paid to any chance of Houghton Main preventing Reed CC from taking the Trophy back to Hertfordshire. When James Heslam hit the winning runs, we were in the Pavilion to capture another fantastic moment for our club.
The players balcony to our right, erupted with joy, and it was a wonder the balcony remained attached to the Pavilion!
Presentation underway and Tom, the worthy ‘Man of the Match’ held the winning trophy aloft; the trophy which was soon to be on its way to the bar of the Howard Marshall Pavilion for a third time.
To round off a quite magnificent day was the celebratory meal in the Long Room of the Lord’s Pavilion that we were lucky enough to attend with the teams and guests. After the speeches, our time at Lord’s was over and the players headed off to celebrate long into the night.
Joining Reed CC over 20 years ago, we never imagined that we would be at Lord’s with the team and have such a great experience and, oh yes, the photos turned out OK!
As our Club President would say “What a day, what a team and what a pleasure!”
Paul & Ann Garrott.
Reed and Lord’s official photographers.
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To see Ann & Paul’s photographs plus other images from Lord’s and of the 2019 season, go to “Galleries” on this website.
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