2012
2012 Season Review
23/09/20 13:18
First of all an apology. On watching the opening ceremony of the Olympics I realised my previous reviews of Liverpool Bar Cricket seasons have focussed too much on our failings. So on this occasion, just as Danny Boyle couldn’t find time in our national story for the Irish famine, the Opium Wars or the Amritsar Massacre, so you will hear nothing of Tim Kenward’s crass incompetence in running me out in the second over of the season, Charles Prior’s desertion in favour of his new found tennis friends, and John Clarke’s malingering with a poorly finger following a dropped catch against Jackson Canter. Whilst our Olympic spirit may be more Eddie the Eagle Edwards than Team GB, there has been much to celebrate in the 2012 season.
The season began in what we hope will become a traditional curtain raiser at Cholmondeley Castle. This year we managed to avoid clashing with a vintage car festival and enjoyed a pleasant afternoon in the early May sunshine. An impressive innings from Kenward helped the Bar post a competitive target. However it looked like Cholmondeley were heading for victory until inspired bowling changes and a generous LBW decision led to a flurry of wickets. The Bar emerged with a hard fought victory to start the season.
Showing questionable dedication to the cause, I then left to go on holiday for the first friendly and competitive evening fixtures of the season, Tom Gosling deputising as captain. A close fought game against Wyncote Ramblers ended with a narrow defeat for the Bar at Northern. The next week a glorious Summer’s evening should have seen the Bar face Jackson Canters in the first round of the Trustram Cup. Unfortunately however Jackson Canters couldn’t raise a team that evening and, being a bit of a soft touch and also not wanting to bite the hand that feeds, I agreed to re-arrange the game rather than claim a walkover. It was a decision that I would live to regret as solid rain throughout June led to several postponements.
The annual game against Liverpool Cricket Club doesn’t really merit much of a mention in this review. I say this because, given the quality of the Liverpool side, several guest players were brought in to play for the Bar and at least put us in a position whereby we weren’t embarrassed. As a result the bona fide Bar players were like village yokels plunged into first class cricket. We watched on in awe as the real players showed us how it should be done.
In an unusual twist of fate the game against Ormskirk Occasionals, a victim of rain for the previous 3 Summers, managed to survive the wettest June on record. An unbeaten 50 from Bill Rankin and a useful knock from David Tinkler saw the Bar looking well placed, however a late collapse left them looking a little short. The turning point of the game however was a stunning diving catch from Armstrong which dispatched the Occasionals’ main batsman. The Occasionals stubbornly blocked the final ten overs to force a draw.
The evening game against the Occasionals should also be glossed over. Stand in captain Charles Prior took a generous view of the spirit in which the game should be played, bowling anybody except the players who actually could bowl, and keeping himself fresh for the following evening’s tennis. This allowed an ageing Occasionals team to claim victory in a game that was unremarkable save for another impressive innings from the in form David Tinkler.
A friendly against Spectre was an unexpected highlight of the season. Spectre had looked in poor shape when we played them in the first round of the 2011 Trustram Cup however a number of new additions meant that they gave us a good competitive game on a pleasant Summer’s evening at New Brighton. The most memorable feature of the game was when Tinkler, again batting in fine form, hit a huge six which disappear over the legside fence followed by the sound of leather crashing against metal. On investigation it was worryingly discovered that not only was the owner of the vehicle present but she was somewhat upset that as she’d been putting her young child into the car seat a cricket ball had come within inches of causing them serious personal injury. The unfortunate lady’s ire was not placated as the assembled players showed more concern for the whereabouts of the ball whilst Tinkler, being the consummate lawyer and mediator he is, quickly gave her a refresher on Lord Denning’s judgment in Miller v Jackson.
After several postponements early July saw us finally play a competitive fixture in the much delayed first round Trustram Cup tie against Jackson Canter. Jackson Canter won the toss and inexplicably, given what followed, elected to bat. Jackson Canter’s play was like that of the Chinese Badminton players in the Olympics, albeit without the incentive that losing would provide easier opponents in the next round. That however is to do a disservice to the efforts of Tom Gosling who, perhaps incensed that I had chosen to open the bowling with Clarke, seized his chance when John Clarke retired hurt after dropping a chance on the first ball, and ended up with figures of 4-3-4-2. Jackson Canter were bowled out for a total of 12. Some of the more flamboyant members of the team wanted to try to attempt to knock off the runs in one over. Shannon Eastwood however was taking no chances. Unlike batting partner Nigel Power, who got himself out cheaply in his rush to go and fawn over Mr Justice Blair at Bar Mess, Eastwood built a patient and ultimately match winning innings of 4 not out from 6 overs. There then followed a 10 over game in which Michael Armstrong played for Jackson Canter in an attempt to balance the teams. Whilst lending them Armstrong was clearly in the spirit of the game, Armstrong himself took things a step further by loudly pointing out the technical failings and weaknesses of each Bar batsman at the crease and giving thorough explanations of how each one could be dismissed. Fortunately, knowing Armstrong’s own weaknesses, the positioning of Mark ‘safe hands’ Chester at long off led to Armstrong’s dismissal in the Jackson Canter innings and saved the Bar from defeat at the hands of one of their own.
The annual ‘Zoe’s Place’ competition at Maghull was again an enjoyable day out for those who played. The Bar’s first game ended in a nail biting climax. With young Michael Power and myself the final batsmen at the crease and needing 14 to win off the last over it didn’t look good. 12 runs were scored leaving the Bar falling just short.
The second round of the Trustram Cup against RSA was one of the best displays of cricket ever produced by the Bar. Kenward and Booker’s display of aggressive opening batting took the game away from an impressive RSA bowling attack. Kenward’s century silenced those who had thought he might be showing his age. RSA took the unusual and unilateral decision that when they batted the game wouldn’t involve LBWs and every ball down the leg side would be called a wide. Even with this assistance, however, they never looked likely to come close to the Bar’s impressive total of 196, especially given the steady opening bowling of Charles Prior and Nick Orr, and Andrew Sinker’s cat like reflexes in the outfield. Whilst Nigel Power generously attempted to make a game of it in his bowling spell, in the end it was a comfortable victory for the Bar.
The semi-final of the cup saw us drawn against old foes Hill Dickinson. Unfortunately, August being Holiday Season, most of the Bar’s star players were away for the proposed date of 22nd August. Power and Dudley were also unavailable. With only 9 men and the sun shining things looked ominous for the Bar. However a sudden and dramatic cloud burst at 5.30pm in the South Liverpool area led to the game’s postponement. Despite the return of key players for the re-arranged fixture, the Bar were knocked out of the competition in the gloom of a September evening by a strong Hill Dicks team.
Unfortunately the traditional closing fixture of the season against the Inn at Whitewell fell victim to the August Bank Holiday downpour however the Inn’s usual hospitality was very enjoyable. Having been handed the responsibility of ordering from the wine menu, this publication’s wine correspondent candidly confessed that he knew nothing about white wine (to be fair, I know very little about cricket). Tom Gosling was awarded ‘most improved player’ for his bowling. David Tinkler was awarded ‘player of the season’ for numerous outstanding batting displays. Andrew Tinkler was named ‘fielder of the season’ whilst Michael Armstrong’s match winning catch against Ormskirk Occasionals was awarded the champagne moment. The coveted award for fortitude over ineptitude went to Jackson Canter, especially the guy who was clean bowled by my erratic bowling.
The season began in what we hope will become a traditional curtain raiser at Cholmondeley Castle. This year we managed to avoid clashing with a vintage car festival and enjoyed a pleasant afternoon in the early May sunshine. An impressive innings from Kenward helped the Bar post a competitive target. However it looked like Cholmondeley were heading for victory until inspired bowling changes and a generous LBW decision led to a flurry of wickets. The Bar emerged with a hard fought victory to start the season.
Showing questionable dedication to the cause, I then left to go on holiday for the first friendly and competitive evening fixtures of the season, Tom Gosling deputising as captain. A close fought game against Wyncote Ramblers ended with a narrow defeat for the Bar at Northern. The next week a glorious Summer’s evening should have seen the Bar face Jackson Canters in the first round of the Trustram Cup. Unfortunately however Jackson Canters couldn’t raise a team that evening and, being a bit of a soft touch and also not wanting to bite the hand that feeds, I agreed to re-arrange the game rather than claim a walkover. It was a decision that I would live to regret as solid rain throughout June led to several postponements.
The annual game against Liverpool Cricket Club doesn’t really merit much of a mention in this review. I say this because, given the quality of the Liverpool side, several guest players were brought in to play for the Bar and at least put us in a position whereby we weren’t embarrassed. As a result the bona fide Bar players were like village yokels plunged into first class cricket. We watched on in awe as the real players showed us how it should be done.
In an unusual twist of fate the game against Ormskirk Occasionals, a victim of rain for the previous 3 Summers, managed to survive the wettest June on record. An unbeaten 50 from Bill Rankin and a useful knock from David Tinkler saw the Bar looking well placed, however a late collapse left them looking a little short. The turning point of the game however was a stunning diving catch from Armstrong which dispatched the Occasionals’ main batsman. The Occasionals stubbornly blocked the final ten overs to force a draw.
The evening game against the Occasionals should also be glossed over. Stand in captain Charles Prior took a generous view of the spirit in which the game should be played, bowling anybody except the players who actually could bowl, and keeping himself fresh for the following evening’s tennis. This allowed an ageing Occasionals team to claim victory in a game that was unremarkable save for another impressive innings from the in form David Tinkler.
A friendly against Spectre was an unexpected highlight of the season. Spectre had looked in poor shape when we played them in the first round of the 2011 Trustram Cup however a number of new additions meant that they gave us a good competitive game on a pleasant Summer’s evening at New Brighton. The most memorable feature of the game was when Tinkler, again batting in fine form, hit a huge six which disappear over the legside fence followed by the sound of leather crashing against metal. On investigation it was worryingly discovered that not only was the owner of the vehicle present but she was somewhat upset that as she’d been putting her young child into the car seat a cricket ball had come within inches of causing them serious personal injury. The unfortunate lady’s ire was not placated as the assembled players showed more concern for the whereabouts of the ball whilst Tinkler, being the consummate lawyer and mediator he is, quickly gave her a refresher on Lord Denning’s judgment in Miller v Jackson.
After several postponements early July saw us finally play a competitive fixture in the much delayed first round Trustram Cup tie against Jackson Canter. Jackson Canter won the toss and inexplicably, given what followed, elected to bat. Jackson Canter’s play was like that of the Chinese Badminton players in the Olympics, albeit without the incentive that losing would provide easier opponents in the next round. That however is to do a disservice to the efforts of Tom Gosling who, perhaps incensed that I had chosen to open the bowling with Clarke, seized his chance when John Clarke retired hurt after dropping a chance on the first ball, and ended up with figures of 4-3-4-2. Jackson Canter were bowled out for a total of 12. Some of the more flamboyant members of the team wanted to try to attempt to knock off the runs in one over. Shannon Eastwood however was taking no chances. Unlike batting partner Nigel Power, who got himself out cheaply in his rush to go and fawn over Mr Justice Blair at Bar Mess, Eastwood built a patient and ultimately match winning innings of 4 not out from 6 overs. There then followed a 10 over game in which Michael Armstrong played for Jackson Canter in an attempt to balance the teams. Whilst lending them Armstrong was clearly in the spirit of the game, Armstrong himself took things a step further by loudly pointing out the technical failings and weaknesses of each Bar batsman at the crease and giving thorough explanations of how each one could be dismissed. Fortunately, knowing Armstrong’s own weaknesses, the positioning of Mark ‘safe hands’ Chester at long off led to Armstrong’s dismissal in the Jackson Canter innings and saved the Bar from defeat at the hands of one of their own.
The annual ‘Zoe’s Place’ competition at Maghull was again an enjoyable day out for those who played. The Bar’s first game ended in a nail biting climax. With young Michael Power and myself the final batsmen at the crease and needing 14 to win off the last over it didn’t look good. 12 runs were scored leaving the Bar falling just short.
The second round of the Trustram Cup against RSA was one of the best displays of cricket ever produced by the Bar. Kenward and Booker’s display of aggressive opening batting took the game away from an impressive RSA bowling attack. Kenward’s century silenced those who had thought he might be showing his age. RSA took the unusual and unilateral decision that when they batted the game wouldn’t involve LBWs and every ball down the leg side would be called a wide. Even with this assistance, however, they never looked likely to come close to the Bar’s impressive total of 196, especially given the steady opening bowling of Charles Prior and Nick Orr, and Andrew Sinker’s cat like reflexes in the outfield. Whilst Nigel Power generously attempted to make a game of it in his bowling spell, in the end it was a comfortable victory for the Bar.
The semi-final of the cup saw us drawn against old foes Hill Dickinson. Unfortunately, August being Holiday Season, most of the Bar’s star players were away for the proposed date of 22nd August. Power and Dudley were also unavailable. With only 9 men and the sun shining things looked ominous for the Bar. However a sudden and dramatic cloud burst at 5.30pm in the South Liverpool area led to the game’s postponement. Despite the return of key players for the re-arranged fixture, the Bar were knocked out of the competition in the gloom of a September evening by a strong Hill Dicks team.
Unfortunately the traditional closing fixture of the season against the Inn at Whitewell fell victim to the August Bank Holiday downpour however the Inn’s usual hospitality was very enjoyable. Having been handed the responsibility of ordering from the wine menu, this publication’s wine correspondent candidly confessed that he knew nothing about white wine (to be fair, I know very little about cricket). Tom Gosling was awarded ‘most improved player’ for his bowling. David Tinkler was awarded ‘player of the season’ for numerous outstanding batting displays. Andrew Tinkler was named ‘fielder of the season’ whilst Michael Armstrong’s match winning catch against Ormskirk Occasionals was awarded the champagne moment. The coveted award for fortitude over ineptitude went to Jackson Canter, especially the guy who was clean bowled by my erratic bowling.