Sellsy's Sunday Supplement

Have you ever wondered how players and officials relax after a tough days play? No, neither have I!

I do know the likes of Andrew Strauss and Kevin Pietersen enjoy a glass of wine; some of the Somerset boys, Craig Kieswetter, Jos Buttler and Nick Compton to name but three, go and find an old Over Stowey player,  namely Les Biffen, at The Swan at Kingston. Reporters, journalists and commentators tend to favour restaurants, especially when abroad. That’s all we hear about on the radio the day after!

So how do the cricketers from Over Stowey relax? Well I’ll tell you, straight up to Over Stowey Village Hall for some value for money drinking, a few jugs of cider / lager, a quick spoof, then they are joined by the WAGS!

However, it does pain me to do this, but Neil Buller and Dale Shepherd were out together on Wednesday evening after the victory against Lydeard St Lawrence, having a romantic dinner for two at The Cottage Inn, table 14 in fact, the one right by the window. There was a slight look of horror when I walked in and caught them together, only thing was missing was a lit candle!

When I first started playing, when I was about 14 yrs old, I always wanted to travel to away games with Steve and Timmy Little, usually on the back of the milk float, as I can guarantee they will call back to the local pub after a game – now that’s the way to relax after a game. After a game against Bagborough, the Little brothers had a bit more than usual to drink back at the Rising Sun, and the trip home was a bit adventurous, Bomber, Bronco and myself clung on to the back of the milk float for dear life!

Now, I mentioned spoofing and I also mentioned Timmy Little, there is a little story in which these two go together. After a friendly against Chilton Polden in which Stowey lost heavily, we all went back to the White Hart for post match drinks, we were discussing who to drop for the following week, as we had someone to come in and no one wanted to be left out. Timmy suggested that we would spoof for our places and the one who lost was dropped. Timmy, having suggested the method, promptly lost and to his annoyance had to be dropped. “Too clicky!” he remarked to everyone’s amusement!

Nowadays, I tend to sit at the end of the bar, take things in over a few pints of cider and try to talk sense, but you know how little that happens.

Now it beats me how I am writing this today, or should I say this morning, as went to the Cheese and Cider Fest yesterday, all that cheese tossing and apple smashing takes it out off you, or was it something to do with the cider. Great day, good music, and an interesting walk home across the fields!

Over Stowey’s game was called off yesterday against Bagborough, and it seems that all the Stowey players ended up down the Cheese and Cider Fest, they certainly know how to enjoy themselves. No games on Saturday, so unfortunately no roll of honour this week. But one player worthy of a mention is Micheal Barrow, who took six wickets for 13 runs in the West Somerset League Knockout Cup against Lydeard St Lawrence. With Stowey winning that game they now march on to the Quarter-Finals, now isn’t that exciting?

This has now opened up a can or worms, as the question was asked has Over Stowey won any major honours? I know the 2^nd XI have won various league titles in the lower divisions, plus the 1^st XI have come runners-up in Division Three and Two a few times, plus also the Bridgwater Wednesday Evening League there have been a few trophies handed out there. But have they ever won The League Knockout and Division One of the West Somerset League. It would be great to get this information, so if anyone knows, let me know.

Somerset are back in action today, when they take on Northamptonshire in the T20 at The County Ground. Unfortunately I am unable to attend this match, somehow after last night I may be still unfit to drive, so an afternoon watching them on TV will suit me.

Somerset won their first game in the T20 quite comprehensively against Warwickshire, with the big hitting South African Richard Levi smashing the ball all around the ground, well mainly to leg side, but who cares; he does give it a thump. After that win, it was a bit of a disappointment that the Gloucestershire game was off, but it was raining quite hard so understandable, oh well, at least we are undefeated and don’t moan about it like someone who plays for Blagdon Hill (see West Somerset Cricket League on Facebook to see what I mean).

Anyway, enough of that, it is 10.57ish and I think I will be trying a nice pint of Thatchers Gold.

Sellsy's Sunday Supplement

The most essential thing about village cricket is teas. Over at Lydeard St Lawrence yesterday (Saturday), Over Stowey 1^st team had a bit of a feast. As I walked into the pavilion at Lydeard, I just help noticing doughnut and flans appearing at all angles. The 1^st team assured me that it was one of the better spreads they had this season.

Now, not forgetting our own teas at Over Stowey, Wendy put on another wonderful selection of sandwiches, sausage rolls, quiches, cake and not forgetting a nice cuppa to wash it down, well in my case a bottle of Thatchers, many thanks Wendy.

So everyone who reads this blog today, raise a glass in honour of all tea ladies up and down the country, who, without them, the cogs of society would grind to a halt, well now quite, but I think you know what I mean.

Over Stowey 2^nd’s I hear are being called in to do extra practice, especially in the art of catching. There are so many contenders for the ‘Hole in the Hand’ award and this is from just this one match. Ok Julian’s was a difficult one, but off your own bowling, I ask you. Ok, to be fair, if he didn’t get a hand on it a trip to casualty might of ensued, as I think somehow that ball might of taken his head off.

Richard Duddridge done himself no favours yesterday, admitting that he scores slower the Rhys Satchell, and this even before he went to bat. To be fair to Dudds, he did prove me right, his knock yesterday would certainly bring back the crowds to Over Stowey, well Wendy’s teas certainly would, but not sure about Dudds’ batting.

On the subject of Rhys, I believe I gave him a disservice last week, as I said he scored 20 runs of 35 overs, well in fact he knocked 27 runs of those 35 overs, even only 23 was in the score book, as he claimed that he hit a four and was put down to leg byes instead!!!!

Nice to see Barrie Buller back in the runs these past few weeks, a 50 last weekend, and another on Saturday could only mean one thing, a jug! Barrie done a great service last weekend, as he bought a jug of cider, but yesterday a jug of lager, I ask you, what would Thatchers say about that? No wonder I had a sore head this morning!

Well one to the 1^st XI who beat Lydeard yesterday, chasing down a score of 193 isn’t easy, especially yesterday, as all wickets and outfields were recovering from the bad weather earlier in the week. Phil Rich had the right idea, two jug avoidance's, taking four wickets and then took himself off, the holing out while in his 40’s.

So the roll of honour this week:

1. Barrie Buller – 1^st team – 52
2. Phil Rich – 1^st team - 4-25
3. Phil Rich – 1^st team – 40
4. Jack Rich – 1^st team - 33
5. Simon Pickard – 2^nd team – 20 not out

Whack-a-day cricket starts at the County Ground on Wednesday, Twenty20 season is here. So an early finish on Wednesday at work, walk across the road to the Ring of Bells, have a few ciders, then a stroll to in to the ground, a few more ciders, loads of sixes, may have a pork roll just to keep a balanced diet, more sixes and a snooze on the way home!

Somerset entertain Warwickshire on Wednesday in their first T20 encounter of the season. So what is going to happen this season? Surely not runners-up again? Must admit T20 is a bit of a lottery, but let’s see what happens. I now hear Somerset have signed Kevin O'Brien, now that is breaking news.

For once Somerset must thank the rain for saving them in their latest Championship match, away against Middlesex at Lord’s (not a happy hunting ground for Somerset in recent years), plus of course, not for the first time this season, the batting of Nick Compton, who held up an end, and made sure Somerset didn’t slip up. At one stage on Friday Somerset were 123 for 5, which made me chuckle.

Right, nearly time for a Thatchers, not quite 10.57, but off to see my sister for a bacon butty (I hope).

Sellsy's Sunday Supplement

How Nick Compton must off cursed the rain this week as he was in touching distance in reaching 1,000 First Class runs before the end of May and be the first person to achieve this since Graeme Hick in 1988.

Somerset bowled out Worcestershire early on Day Two (May 31^st), and it looked like that Compo would get his chance to reach that milestone. After losing a wicket early, Compo walked to the crease, knowing he had the best part of two sessions to score the 59 needed. However, the weather intervened, and when he was on nine, they came off for rain and they never returned that day.

Full credit to Nick, the next day he went on to score the runs needed to take him past 1,000 runs for the season, scoring another century in the process, his fourth of the season.

The game at Worcester ended in a draw, with the combination of rain and bad light having a big say in the outcome. With Worcester on 60-4 in their second innings, and George Dockrell creating havoc with the ball spinning out of the rough, a positive result in favour of Somerset may of happened, but bad light!

But did anyone notice that a certain Craig Kieswetter took two wickets towards the end of the game on Saturday, I expect too much hilarity to the Somerset side. Somerset are still third in Division One, and a trip to Lord’s next week when they take on Middlesex.

What is surprising me so far this season is Durham. Currently rock bottom of Division One, and to make things worse not only did they lose to Lancashire, but the came away from that game with -1 points, you don’t see that very often. With all the big name players they have, the likes of Paul Collingwood, Steve Harminson, Col. Mustard, Graham Onions questions will be asked, if they haven’t already.

Right, enough of that, Kevin Pietersen retiring from all forms of international one day cricket, surprised, but after having thought about it, thanks Kev.

Now to Over Stowey; what went wrong at the weekend? Well if Phil Rich came on earlier we would have been back the Club at 6, rather than 6.45. Can someone remind me of his bowling figures… well to be fair, it is not the most difficult to remember 0.1 overs for six runs! Fetch that one!

The 2^nd XI travelled to Hemyock, in Devon and they play in the West Somerset League, and they came back empty handed, apart from a few bonus points.

One thing I did find out, there is another Mark Sortwell, namely Rhys Satchell; I am led to believe he scored 20 runs of 35 overs; now that will bring the crowds back. However in his defence, Rhys was told to stay there, so he did, and there was no other instructions given to him after that.

So the roll of honour this weekend:

1. Carl Woodley – 2^nd team – 43
2. Phil Rich – 1^st team – 31
3. Neil Buller – 1^st team – 29 not out
4. Rhys Satchell – 2^nd team – 20

Now bowlers this week, hardly surprising as they only five wickets were taken between the two sides this weekend.

Ok, let’s be positive, there is huge potential within the club, if only it could click at the same time, I am sure it will soon. There is also a lot of energy and enthusiasm, with players actually going to practice, just need to turn that ability on to the pitch in match days.

That’s enough of that. It will soon be Cider and Cheese Fest time, just under two weeks to go, what’s the betting I don’t see after 8pm?

On the subject of cider, it is now nearly 10.57, think I will try a Jubilee Thatchers!!!!

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!

Sellsy's Sunday Supplement

The first Test match of the summer means the English summer is here, you can tell, it is overcast and threatening rain.

Well not wishing to go over the same old stuff again, but Tim Bresnan has been selected to play against the West Indies, well surely that will mean England will win. I mentioned this in my blog before England played the second Test against Sri Lanka back in March, and guess what, Bresnan played and England won. Now it seems that everyone (Sky, All Out Cricket) have jumped on the band wagon in making noises about this.

Well done to Andrew Strauss, hitting a ton in the first innings, and hopefully this will put all his doubters to sleep, in fact all England's critics to sleep. It seems they (the critics) have had a witch hunt on nearly every main batsman in the England line up, all, apart from Eoin Morgan, have stuck up two fingers to them, who will they pick on next? The tea lady, not enough cream on the scones I hear!

Now down to more serious matters, both Over Stowey sides have made it two victories out of two, what a great start. The 1^st XI chased down 211 to beat Huish Champflower, and the seconds defended 111 (now that’s two weeks on the trot they have hit that score), by bowling out Milverton for 96.

So this weeks’ roll of honour:

• Julian Pocock – 2^nd XI – Five wickets
• Andrew Jeanes – 1^st XI – 61
• Greg Arlott - 2nd XI - 51
• Phil Rich – 1^st XI – 46
• Mark Sortwell – 1^st XI – 44 (off 2500 balls!)
• Jack Rich – 1^st XI – 38 (off 10 balls!)

Well done to both sides yet again, cup match on Friday for the 1^st XI against Roadwater and then they entertain Carhampton, where as the 2^nd’s travel to Holford to play Crowcombe!

Now what are Somerset going to do about another overseas player? Just when I got used to spelling Du Plessis, he goes and pulls out of the team; so who next for Somerset? Richard Levi off course, the South African (again) opening batsman who jointly holds the record for the highest score in T20 internationals, that’s who! Hopefully a more than capable replacement for Marcus Trescothick at the top of the order – don’t drop the Olympic Torch Marcus!

Somerset came so close again to another victory in the County Championship, this time against Surrey, but another draw. It just goes to show that injuries to key players, especially bowlers, have hampered Somerset’s start to the season. When are you back Alfonso? When are you fit Tango? Well sitting in third spot, Somerset are poised! Durham on Tuesday, come on the Set!

Well that’s about it for now, 10.57, time for a Thatchers! See you in The Old Pavilion from Tuesday!

Sellsy's Sunday Supplement

This week Somerset had only 11 fit players to pick from for the match against Durham, now somehow I think selection could be quite easy, even though Brian Rose may be a little frustrated.

Rose should think himself lucky, I remember the days at Over Stowey when we struggled to find 11 players, and if they were fit or not was another matter. With a couple of pints down their necks, they were soon match fit and off we went to play the game.

Stowey actually managed to get a game in yesterday, which is some sort of minor miracle having seen the ground on Thursday evening, the ducks were still enjoying themselves out on the square, quacking away as if they had not a care in the world.

However the weather intervened for the better, a fresh wind and some yellow thing in the sky appeared (I believe people call it the sun!) and the ground took a turn for the better, but how do you prepare a pitch in less than 48 hours – over to you head groundsman Mark Sortwell!

Well prepare he did, and didn’t Stowey respond to the game being played. Ok, I know I mentioned a couple of weeks ago there were (and still are) a lot of low scores around the County Championship, well it has seemed to off rubbed off on the West Somerset League, in particular the Over Stowey matches on Saturday.

Normally a score of 111 would be quite gettable, that what both Stowey’s 1^st and 2^nd XI posted on Saturday, how bizarre. Even more bizarrely that total proved to be enough at the Stowey won by 51 runs and 65 runs respectively, would have been funnier if the opposition was bowled out for the same score, would of made my life easier  writing out the match reports this morning.

Anyway, both Stowey sides won on their first outing of the season, now when did this last happen, or has it ever happened, anyone got any answers for me, I expect the West Somerset League would have old records somewhere, best I ask them.

So the hero’s for the weekend:

• Micheal Barrow – 1^st Team – 6-11
• Phil Rich – 1^st Team – 39
• Julian Pocock – 2^nd Team – 4-13
• Ben Enever – 2^nd Team – 36
• Carl Woodley – 2^nd Team – 34
• Rhys Satchell – 2^nd Team – 3-4
• Ryan Dray (on debut) – 1^st Team – 29

The real hero, shall I give him any credit? It pains me to do it, Mark Sortwell, head groundsman, and to all his team of helpers in getting the ground ready for Saturday. Well done.

Back to Somerset, a tame draw, with two days being washed out, it was hardly surprising. Poor Craig Kieswetter, with a Championship ton beckoning, Somerset’s number 11, Dockers, get run out, leaving Kies stranded on 96; best you make up for it today Craig. Somerset remain fourth in the table, nicely poised…. I hope, come on the Set.

Well, it’s that time of day, 10.57,best I have a Thatchers at The Cottage Inn, hopefully it will help cool down my sunburn!

Sellsy's Sunday Supplement

I wonder if Brian Rose has a love affair with South Africa. On the announcement that Chris Gayle was not coming to Somerset for the T20 season, Rose announced that South African all-rounder Francois du Plessis would be his replacement, and with that I hear Somerset have changed their name to Somerset Springbok!

Over the years there have been some great South Africans who have graced the turf at Taunton, and with Albie Morkel also turning out this summer you can nearly name a side of South Africans who have / will have represented the county over the years; let’s give it a go shall we! 

1.     Graeme Smith

2.     Jimmy Cook

3.     Neil Mackenzie

4.     Zander de Bruyn

5.     Francois du Plessis

6.     Roelof van der Merwe

7.     Craig Kieswetter

8.     Albie Morkel

9.     Alfonso Thomas

10.  Vernon Philander

11.  Charl Willoughby

12^th man Steve Snell 

Not a bad line up I suppose, one thing for sure there will definitely be a South African twang in the Somerset dressing room this summer.

Somerset’s season is staring to become a bit worrying, especially the manner in which Surrey beat them on Friday evening. All these high hopes at the start of the season have turned into reality, especially with injuries to key players, plus a bowling line up which has been decimated through injury and IPL, will Somerset go for Ajmal Shahzad? Well they need something quick and we are not just talking about his bowling here!

Ok, enough about Somerset, let’s talk Over Stowey. Nothing to mention here really, except that the rain was the winner yesterday, in fact it was favourite to win since about last Sunday. Stowey’s first game (games if you include the youngsters) should have been this weekend when they were supposed to play North Curry, now it does make me wonder whether the home game against Hinkley Point will take place next week, time will tell.

All Out Cricket magazine for May certainly caused me to open my eyes somewhat this week, especially Michael Vaughan tipping Somerset to win the County Championship this season, Michael, if you happen to read this, I do hope you are right, and if you are right you are more than welcome to come for a celebration half or two (ok perhaps a lot more!).

The magazine also featured one of Over Stowey’s keenest supporters, Richard Villis, promoting the Cheeselympics which is due to take place on June 16^th. I was quietly reading AOC the other evening in The Cottage, and almost choked on my Thatchers – now that would have been a waste - when I saw Richard’s beaming smile on page 34 of the magazine, along with Tres, Hildy and Simon Francis.

So if you are into your ‘Apple Smashing’ and ‘Cheese Tossing’ Quantock View is the place to be on June 16^th, along with live bands, cider and cheese. I will certainly be there, it’s only a couple of fields away from my back garden, plus the event contains two of my favourite words: Cider and Cheese! Oh, and have a look on You Tube for the trailers, they are hilarious!

I don’t know how many more plugs I can get in one blog, I have already mentioned Thatchers Cider, All Out Cricket magazine, The Cottage Inn, plus the Cheeselympics. I think I will leave it at there, as it’s 10.57 and time for a birthday pint of Thatchers at The Cottage Inn!