Sellsy's Sunday Supplement

Tea ladies, for me, are the most important thing in village cricket; at Over Stowey we are privileged to have one of the best around, in the form of Elsie Rich.

Elsie turned 80 this week, I was honoured enough to be invited to her celebration on Friday night, along with about another 150 other guests, boy did we celebrate!

It was great to catch up with some former players as well, Clive Sellick, Les Biffen and Clive Bellamy to name just three, reminiscing about the old days, looking at old photos (and laughing at the hair styles), talking about tours and having plenty of Thatchers cider!

I have been playing for Stowey for near on 30 years, and Elsie has always been there making the teas, having a chat, making the away team welcome, making the home team welcome, selling raffle tickets.

Other clubs, I should imagine, may be envious of us, perhaps we take may take her role for granted somewhat, however we always show our appreciation at our annual presentation evening.

I do say other clubs may be envious, as in some discussions with the opposition they say how it can be a burden to sort out the teas, they have rotas, do it themselves etc. in some cases a trip to the local chippy may be in order!

When travelling away, there are a few things I look forward to, a nice shower, the local pub, however teas are on top of my list. I have had some awful ones, but it is always the best ones you remember: Ashcott and Shapwick on a Sunday, chocolate gateaux, flans, strawberries and cream, scones.

One year at Stogumber, there were so many scones, Philip and myself had a contest to see who could eat the most, with jam and cream on, of course I let him win, had to go out and bat!

Back to Elsie, her husband used to play for the club (it is alleged that they were married in the morning, and he played football in a cup final in the afternoon) her son Philip is now the Chairman, his son, Jack, has now forced his way into the 1^st XI. Elsie’s Daughter’s Sue and Wendy are Treasurer and Secretary of the club respectively; all three of Sue’s sons have played for the club; Wendy’s husband Kelvin played for Stowey, and is now President and their Grandson Michael is now a 1^st XI regular.

With tea ladies being the most important thing in cricket, rain must be the most frustrating. Was so much looking forward to watching Somerset play this past week, especially that I missed the game on Sunday when Kieswetter and van der Mere went mad with the bat, only to be thwarted by the bad weather on both Friday and I expect today (Sunday).

Rain also affected Stowey this weekend, with the 2^nd XI game being cancelled when on a bit of a knife edge against Fitzhead and the 1^st XI having to take shelter on a couple occasions, however, they did goo on and beat Cannington by eight wickets, thanks to a hefty contribution by Barrie with his willow!

Rain had also effected the Test match this week, with breaks a plenty, which lead England looking for quick runs so as to declare, so much so it forced Matt Prior into a suicide single, he was run out and consequently smashed a window in the Lords dressing room (who said Test cricket is boring).

Lastly, click onto this link, from the last Test match, Aggers and Michael Vaughan at their best, good old TMS: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzaNAgIbvsM

It’s 10.57, and it’s a long walk in the rain for a pint!