Sunday 17th June ~ YACA Cup ~ Adwick le Street (Away)

Official Notice - Sundays are now free!

On a cold, dull, windy June evening Tong's challenge for any Cup came stuttering to a conclusion. The assembled Tong side being no match for an equally assorted Adwick (pronounced with a silent 'w' and not 'le' as some seemed to think!)

Amazingly, considering the climatic conditions, a strong contingent of Tong support managed to navigate the A1 south and gathered huddled against the pavilion. The combined force of Tongites almost outnumbering the accumulation of dogs. Infact, lets give mention to the stalwarts who made the trip to Donny's outskirts.

Coldest amongst the group were probably Mick and Marlene Spargo, recently returned from much warmer climes (what a surprise!), though this didn't stop Mick and our resident umpire Charles from testing the local tinnies. It must be said though that Charles was that cold come teatime that he gave up the beer for a cup of tea - got to be a first according to Mick.

Reg was supported by his extended family, including Edgar the labrador. Though Sophie was scoring as Kirsty was revising (I bet!), Janet and Melissa had both decided to venture out, thankfully with an assortment of car rugs (reminded me of trips out with my granny!). John 'Linford' Hudson was there in support of son Paul, but for some reason had arrived dogless - Paddy will be most depressed when he hears how many other breeds were patrolling the park.

Paddy on a happier day!

Also present was Elaine Holmes, who was kindly presenting Steve's picnic around to the rest of the huddled throng. And finally, yours truly arrived somewhat late with two more dogs to join the group. The arrival of Soda and Holly though did get Edgar a little excited, a feature that he has obviously acquired from his male master.

Anyway to the game, Adwick batted first, we batted second, and Adwick won.

OK so there were a few highlights besides the excellent tea. Amongst the bowlers the greatest entertainment came from the older end of the team. Pat's steady performance, Bob's masterful swing bowling and Shack's first over were all pluses. On the negative side, Reg's slow beamers and Shack's seventh ball (it'll come back to earth eventually) must be mentioned.

Shack's first ball - a gud'un

In the field, it was very much a case of cold hands and bodies. The first of these causing Huddy to parry a catch over the boundary for six, whilst the second resulted in Bobby pulling yet another fetlock in fielding at long-on. Star in the field was easily Pencil Phillips who looked quite athletic for a young man!

The batting was summed up in the first over when Reg was given out LBW to a ball that he hit, pitched outside leg and was missing off stump! All this we could clearly see from our vantage position 80 yards (sorry 72 metres) away beyond the square leg boundary infront of the pavilion. By now it was getting so cold that the support was contemplating a strategic withdrawal should there be a spate of quick wickets, but Huddy, Pencil and Nick Sowerby did manage to delay an early 'pub'. The tail did not wag though (sorry for the pun, as there were lots of wagging tails about) even with Bobby limping to the wicket aided by a young boy (Pencil was his runner).

The game came to a rapid conclusion with overs to spare and the pack of dogs were able to run wild across the outfield, much to the shock of one grey squirrel that Soda and Holly chased up a giant chestnut.

~
Soda and Holly returning from the squirrel hunt

Footnote:
Besides the squirrel hunt the local dogs also enjoyed swallow chasing, a fact that made Mick Spargo ponder "Will the swallows be followed by the TWATS, or is it still too cold?"