Sellsy's Sunday Supplement

Sitting on Gimblett’s Hill with Over Stowey stalwart Simon Pickard this last Wednesday, watching Somerset bat against Durham on day two of their County Championship match, Simon turned to me and said “there is nothing better than sitting in the sunshine, with a glass of beer and hearing the sound of leather on willow.” With that, Peter Trego played an awful shot, a horrible nick was heard all around the ground, the ball goes between first and second slip and hits the boundary. “With shots like that,” I replied, “I concur.”

That particular Wednesday it just seemed like an Over Stowey ‘Old Boy’ convention, bumping into Alan Prowse, Steve Darch, Les Biffen and Phil Baker; the only person missing was Julian Cattanach (perhaps not!).

It was an absolute delight to see Somerset win inside three days against Durham, an even better delight to pick the paper up on Friday morning to see them top of the league – also knowing full well that it would be short lived for 48 hours.

With all the injuries and now no overseas player, the victory over Durham must have been an absolute delight for all the team, plus all the backroom staff. Nearly all home grown talent, especially the Overton twins, what pleasure they must of got out of that victory.

Now then, can all those who said to me at the start of the season the George Dockrell is not worth his place in the Somerset team, please stand up, and that includes you a former Over Stowey player who has now gone umpiring! He has had a great start to the season, taking 26 1^st Class wickets at 23.46. It is also great to see Pete Trego with wickets, he also has 26 1^st Class wickets, but at 26.88.

As for Nick Compton, he is in touching distance of getting a 1,000 1^st Class runs by the end of May. Only needing another 59 runs, Compo has two days to reach that milestone when Somerset take on Worcester starting next Wednesday; how crucial will that toss be for Nick?

What happened to Over Stowey on Saturday? I have some grave news, the 1^st XI lost on Saturday, going down by five wickets to Carhampton.

I shall not dwell on that as the 2^nd’s won again, continuing their unbeaten start to the season, this time Crowcombe 3^rd’s were steam rolled by the Stowey juggernaut!

So who is on the honours board this weekend?

1. David Rowsell – 2^nd team – 55 not out
2. Andrew Jeanes – 1^st team – 55 (before he was unfairly triggered by a short sighted umpire)
3. David Rowsell – 2^nd team – 4 wickets for 3 runs, plus a run out!

I also hear in dispatches that Rhys Satchell bowled well, but have no figures; perhaps everyone was surprised that there wasn’t that many wides!

Now then, I must finish with the result from Friday night. Over Stowey 1^st XI took on Roadwater All Stars, sorry 1^st XI, who play in a Division higher than Stowey, in a cup match and Stowey gave them a dam good spanking. Well in fact Stowey won off the last ball, with young Micheal Barrow smashing a six to win – take that!

Ok, it is now 9.57, and no not time for a pint, such a lovely morning, going to watch some kids cricket, only for an hour mind you, then it will be Thatchers time and then perhaps a trip to the County Ground!