!Loyal Fan
.
You can take your golf and the rolling greens
You tennis with manicured courts neat and clean
Your soccer, your swimming, your basketball scene –
None measure up to…………FOOTBALL!
.
You can reel in that trout on the end of your line
Spit out your chew while you’re ridin’ the pine
Pick up that spare with a strike, not a nine
But none spell excitement like…………FOOTBALL!
.
The screaming, the cheering, the noise of the crowd
The crashing and bashing of helmets so loud
That winning touchdown that makes us all proud
Nothing’s as awesome as………….FOOTBALL!
.
And there’s not another thing I’d rather do
Than cheer for that team in the maize and the blue
My heart’s in the ‘BIG HOUSE’ – I wish I were, too
There’s nothing I love more than…………FOOTBALL!
.
by Linda Ori, 6th June 2008
.
Saturday 4th June 2022
Northants County League Division 2
At Finedon Dolben
Kettering Town (won toss) 246 for 9 (50 overs)
defeated
Finedon Dolben 2nd XI 164 all out (39.5 overs)
by 82 runs
Umpire: Eddie McGeown.
Intermittent light rain (and sometimes a bit heavier) marred the first innings, but the visitors made the most of the conditions and racked up a very respectable total. The hosts, faced some tight bowling, and were unable to put a significant partnership together. They fell well short of the target. Match played, by both sides, in a keen competitive and spirited manner. Fine pint of beer festival ale in the bar at the close of play!
.
.
.
.
Tuesday 7th June 2022
Vitality Blast Northern Section (at Leicester)
Leicestershire Foxes (won toss) 135 all out in
19.1 overs lost to:
Lancashire Lightning 139 for 3 (16.1 overs)
The Foxes meagre total was never going to trouble top of the table Lightning, but a couple of rain stoppages upset the rhythm of the visitors who were 81 off nine overs and then lost a couple of silly wickets which slowed the scoring rate, before a final dominant flourish which saw the winning ball hit for six. Very acceptable Beer and Balti hospitality!
.
.
.
.
Thursday 9th June 2022
Vitality Blast Northern Section (at Northampton)
Northants Steelbacks (won toss) 220 for 5 (20 overs)
defeated
Worcestershire Rapids 147 all out (16.4 overs)
by 73 runs
This was a masterclass by The Steelbacks! Chris Lynn top scored in their innings with an imperious 113 not out (9×6 & 8×4) and skipper Josh Cobb not only scored a half century, but also took 5 for 25. Poor Rapids we’re swept aside, with only Ed Barnard, formerly of Shrewsbury School, top scoring with 42. With sons, Mike and Liam and grandson Freddie!
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Saturday 11th June 2022
Northants County League Division 8 (at Great Bowden, Market Harborough).
Bowden 2nd XI (lost toss) 145 all out (40.1 overs)
lost to
S&L Corby 2nd XI 146 for 9 (40.0 overs)
by one wicket.
Umpires: John Noah and Eddie McGeown.
East Midland trains thunder past the ground every few minutes, trees line the ground and one, lightning-struck trunk, surrounded by a metal railing stands well inside the playing area, (four runs if any part of it is struck by the balll!). In a low scoring contest, neither side batted well and the visitors narrowly scraped over the line, nine wickets down, with the assistance of four byes!
.
.
.
.
.
.
Saturday 11th June 2022
Grandson Freddie (aged eleven) took 6 wickets for 21 runs off ten overs in S&L Corby 4th XI victory at Kettering. Posting only 96, S&L reduced Kettering to 94 all out to win by two runs! Future England Captain? All the wickets were clean bowled!
.
Sunday 12th June 2022
Rutland & District Cricket League Division 2
At Ketton
Whittlesey (lost toss) 174 all out (38 overs)
lost to
Ketton 175 for 2 (38.1 overs) at Ketton.
Umpires: Mark Poucher & Eddie McGeown.
Ketton’s extensive sports complex houses a fine cricket facility dominated by the skyline of Ketton Cement works. Today, inserted by the hosts, Whittlesey were unable to post a challenging target and Ketton polished off the score and the victory with almost seven overs to spare. Excellent pint of locally brewed ale after the match.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Thursday 16th June 2022
(Ashbourne) Summer League Cup Semi-final
Red Lion 2
James Ingram 8, Sam Parker 81,
Osmaston 1
Jacob Edge-Lucas 72
(at Brassington) Referee:- Adam Gill
Attendance:- 55 Admission: £2.00 Prog: NONE
Favourites, Osmaston were stung by an early strike from James Ingram on 8 minutes for Red Lion. They worked hard to get back Into the game but we’re let down by wayward shooting, until a penalty by Jacob Edge-Lucas brought them level after 72 minutes. It was not to be their night, however, when ten minutes later a precision free kick from the edge of the area by Sam Parker, gave Red Lion a slightly fortuitous victory! With John Main. Red Lion progress to entertain Doveridge in the final.
.
.
.
.
John Main suffering from a bad back!
.
.
Sunday 19th June 2022
East Midlands Women’s Cricket League
Premier Division (at Burton Latimer)
Burton Latimer Women 144 all out (42.3 overs)
defeated
Caythorpe Women 51 all out (19.3 overs)
by 93 runs.
Umpires Martin Dobbs & Eddie McGeown
Caythorpe won the toss and inserted the hosts on a low slow pitch, restricting them to what appeared to be a modest total. However a purposeful spell of devastating bowling, dismantled the visiting batting line up and the hosts gained a surprisingly easy victory!
.
.
.
.
.
Tuesday 28th June 2022
Huntingdonshire Charity Match
Huntingdon Town 0
Eunice Huntingdon 0
Referee: James Sweek. Attendance:- 104
Admission: F.O.C. Programme: NONE
A mild, sunny evening on an outside pitch at Jubilee Park, home of Huntingdon Town, where a large gathering of Ukrainians and their supporters offered Borsch and cakes and raffle tickets for a 65 inch state of the art TV set. The hosts were entertaining a Ukrainian/Polish team from The Peterborough & District League. The match itself was less than enthralling. Opportunities were few and far between, but the welcome and the atmosphere was touchingly genuine and fulsome!
.
.
.
.
.
.
Friday 1st July 2022
2021/22 India Test Series 5th Test Day 1
India 338 for 7 (73 overs – rain interrupted)
v England
First day of the fifth test between England and India (at Edgbaston) held over from 2021, courtesy of eldest son Jim. It all looked good for England at 98 for 5, but then Rishbah Pant scored 146 at more than a run a ball, and India reached 338 for 7 (73 overs) at the close, in a rain affected day.
.
.
.
.
.
Saturday 2nd July 2022
Pre-Season Friendly
Kiveton MW 0
Hallam 3
Danny Patterson 44, 82, Liam Royals 54 (pen).
Referee:- Dan Brown. Attendance:- 102
Admission: OMGDS £1.00 (£3) Programme: NONE
There is quite a facility at Hard Lane. A couple of football pitches and a separate cricket pitch, but access was initially difficult because of building work at the entrance. Hallam are NCEL Division 1 champions and they eventually overcame the spirited resistance of their CML rivals. With John Main and Dave Higgins.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Friday 8th July 2022
EUFA Women’s European Championships Group B
Germany 4
Lina Magull 21, Lea Schuller 57, Lena Lattwein 78, Alexandra Popp 86,
Denmark 0
Referee:- Esther Staubli Attendance:- 15,746
Admission:- £20.00. Programme:- £8.00
This match was held at a very nearly full Brentford Community Stadium on a fine, warm evening and Germany showed just what England will be up against if they meet them in the quarter finals. They were strong, determined and skilful and they kept Denmark pinned back for long periods. Three second half strikes reinforced a dominant performance. I didn’t buy the programme, it is just not worth it and the refreshment outlets were ludicrously over priced, but there was a good atmosphere and a very entertaining encounter!
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Wednesday 13th July 2022
EUFA Women’s European Championships Group C
At Leigh Sports Village
Netherlands 3
Damaris Egurrola, Stefanie Van der Gragt 17, Lineth Beerensteyn 62,
Portugal 2
Carole Costa 38, Diana Silva 47,
Referee: Ivana Martinac. Attendance:- 6,966
Admission: £20.00. Programme: £8.00
The Whistling Wren hostelry, hard by the stadium was doing a roaring trade, so I partook of a modest repast and a pint of fine ale (no beer in any of the grounds – only lager and cider!). Sadly the stadium was barely half full and the standing area behind one goal was completely empty – except for the commentators groups. The game was pretty reasonable, but only because Netherlands, who were the superior side, allowed carelessness and casual play to creep into their game and, in the end, they were a tad fortunate to garner the victory!
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Saturday 16th July 2022
Pre-Season Friendly
Skelmersdale United 3
Jordan Southworth 35, Darren Brannigan 60, Joe Nicholson 82,
Morecambe XI 3
Adam Meyer 8, Triallist 12, Triallist 77,
Referee: Carl Rooney. Attendance: 219
Admission: OMGDS £3.00 (£5) Programme: None
Skem are reduced to playing on a plastic pitch in a metal fenced complex, a substantial comedown from their heady days of Amateur Cup Finals at Wembley! This was a good game, however, with the young Turks of Morecambe exerting themselves in the opening half to take a deserved 2-1 lead, but Skem turned it round in the second half and earned a hard fought draw. With John Main.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Sunday 17th July 2022
Rutland Cricket League Division 1
At Castle Hill, Uppingham
Barnack (won toss) 271 for 8 (45 overs)
defeated
Uppingham Town 118 all out (26.2 overs)
by 153 runs
Umpires: Chris Gilham & Eddie McGeown
It was warm at Castle Hill, but there was a cooling breeze to make the conditions palatable. Barnack posted a pretty challenging total, but not as high as the return fixture three weeks ago when they smote 350 runs. The hosts bowled doggedly, but to little effect and then were undone by the visitors bowling and fielding attack and succumbed, tamely to 118 all out. Good to see Ajaz Akhtar playing in the fortieth year of a career that started way back at Old Deaconians in 1983.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Monday 18th July 2022
EUFA Women’s European Championships Group D
Italy 0
Belgium 1
Tine De Caigny 49,
Referee:- Ivana Martincic. Attendance:- 3,919
Admission: £20.00. Programme: £8.00
On a sweltering evening at the mini Etihad in Manchester, two sets of partisan fans kept the decibel levels high, but on the pitch, a combination of the extreme heat and the tension of knowing that only one team could progress, meant that this was a cagey affair. Belgium won it with a strike just after half time, but they were subjected to periods of intense Italian pressure. Belgium progress to the quarter finals, where they will meet high flying Sweden!
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Thursday 21st July 2022
Pre-Season Friendly
Cadbury Athletic 2
Studley 0
Referee:- Simon Lane. Attendance: 82
Admission: F.O.C. Programme:- NONE
The sumptuous, gothic, Victorian pavilion dominates the sports ground on Bournville Lane, with the elegant statue of Terpsichore, the Ancient Greek muse of Music and Dance (and, presumably, sport), greeting the visitor at the entrance. Cadbury Athletic of Midland League Division 2 were entertaining premier division opponents, Studley and the visitors made the better start and really ought to have put away a couple of very decent chances. The hosts grew into the game and, in the second half, with both sides having made numerous changes in personnel, it was they who deservedly struck twice to claim a decisive victory!
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Saturday 23rd July 2022
Pre-Season Friendly
Horbury Town 8
Ben Agu 2, 27, 38,James Cusworth, 51 (pen), 58,Saif Akbar 69, 74, Sam Kyeremeh85,
Huddersfield Amateurs 1
Nathan Hirst 73,
Referee:- Adam Gibbons. Attendance:- 26
Admission: F.O.C. Programme:- NONE
Horbury Town are gearing up for a first season in The NCEL, both on and off the pitch. Evidence of floodlights being installed, hard standing around the pitch, but the only cover is a 50 seat Meccano stand and the site is somewhat exposed! On the field, a new influx of players comfortably saw off their opponents, starting with a first half hat-trick from Ben Agu. A further five second half strikes wrapped up the victory with the visitors only response from Nathan Hirst on 73 minutes! With John Main.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Monday 25th July 2022
Pre-Season Friendly
Chatteris Town XI 0
Histon U18 6
Harley Fisher, 3, Jamie Herbert 4 (og), Ben Suckling 23, Joel McGuiness33, 44, Callum Gilben 85,
Referee:- Paul Gale. Attendance: 52
Admission: F.O.C. Programme: NONE
Quite an impressive small stadium, but the stand was out of action awaiting repair and an upgrade which will allow viewing front and rear on adjacent pitches, all courtesy of local company, Aerotron, who are undertaking the work using completely recycled materials. On the pitch, the hosts, recovering from a mass desertion to follow the previous manager, fought hard but were overcome by a strong youth squad from Histon. Chair of the hosts, Vicky Bennett has high hopes and ambitious plans to advance the club!
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Monday 25th July 2022
Good walking weather! 9.3 miles from Gretton, nine stiles, three hours and twelve minutes and ….. I should have taken a hat!
.
.
Tuesday 26th July 2022
Pre-Season Friendly
Burwell 4
Jack Carter 21, 27, Evan Baird 52, Arran Derakhshan 80,
Fordham 1
Ben Atkinson 32,
Referee:- Lee Sherwood. Attendance: 27
Admission: F.O.C. Programme: NONE
These two local rivals – a mere four miles apart – deep in the Cambridgeshire fenlands, ply their trade at about the same level in the Cambs County League. Burwell are a very recent amalgamation of Burwell Tigers and Burwell Swifts and their brand new emblem (see picture) was the result of open competition. The visitors started the better, but as the game wore on, a raft of substitutions tilted the game decisively in the hosts favour.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Friday 29th July 2022
United Counties League Premier Division South
Lutterworth Town 3
Mwanyongo Pearson 18, 37, Jordan Wilson 25 (pen),
Rothwell Corinthians 2
Marcel Rzeszutek 59, Zac Allen 89,
Referee:- David Brennan. Attendance: 320
Admission: OMGDS £3.00 (£6). Programme: £2.00
The first competitive league match of the season was also the first match of the UCL Hop. The match started late (the hop coach broke down en-route) and there was a further hold-up after a linesman collapsed, so that it was almost ten o’clock before the match finished! Lutterworth were much the better side in the opening period, but the visitors upped their work rate after the interval and actually scored four times. Sadly, two of them were disallowed and they lost narrowly, but restored some pride! With John Main.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Saturday 30th July 2022
United Counties League Division 1
Southwell City 2
Ed Munton 15, Ben Selby 40,
Kirby Muxloe 2
Benjamin White54, 71,
Referee: Robert Pealing. Attendance: 128
Admission: £3.00. Programme: included
Centenary Park, Brinkley is the new council owned home of Southwell City, but it is yet a work in progress. Concrete hard standing behind one goal and down one side, footings for four floodlight stanchions are in place and there is a small covered standing area down one side, seating has yet to arrive. There is a well appointed clubhouse serving hot and cold food. On the pitch, newcomers to the league, Southwell, shot out of the starting blocks and deservedly claimed a two goal half-time lead. However, by full time, the visitors had drawn level. With John Main.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Trent Bridge 2nd August 2022
The Royal London One Day Cup
Nottinghamshire Outlaws (won toss) 290 for 7 (50 overs)
defeated
Sussex Sharks 225 all out (44 overs) by 65 runs
Brilliant day’s cricket in The Royal London One Day Cup, where Nottinghamshire Outlaws defeated Sussex Sharks by 65 runs, with sons, Jim, Mike and Liam and grandsons, Freddie, Sonny and Kingsley, and, the icing on the cake, was a chance meeting with …. Joe Root. Great day Out.
.
.
.
Other Matches:
Thursday 2nd June
Umpire: Eddie McGeown
Northants U11 104 all-out (21.2 overs)
lost to
Derbyshire U11 105 for 1 (18.2 overs)
_____________________________________________
Sunday 26th June
East Midlands Women’s Cricket League Division 2 South
Umpire: Eddie McGeown
Market Overton Women 249 for 9 (40 overs)
defeated
Bowden Women 52 all out (17.1 overs) bu 197 runs
_____________________________________________
Thursday 30th June 2022
Fred Truman State Schools U-13 FINAL Northants
at Burton Latimer Umpire: Pratik Rachh and Eddie McGeown
Bishop Stopford School U13 118 for 3 (20 overs)
defeated
Prince William School U13 (won toss) 83 for 9 (20 overs) by 35 runs
______________________________________________
Monday 4th July 2022
Pre-Season Friendly
Raunds Town 1 Stevenage 3 attendance:- 136
_______________________________________________
Wednesday 6th July 2022
Pre-Season Friendly
YPD All Stars 0 Eynesbury United 1 attendance: 31
_____________________________________________
Saturday 9th July 2022
Bedford Khalsa Tournament Premier Division Semi-Final
GNG Leicester v4 Singh Brothers Derby 1 attendance:- 102
_______________________________________________
Saturday 9th July 2022
Bedford Khalsa Tournament Division 2 Group 1
Punjab Lions Bedford Reserves 7 GNP Sports Coventry 4 attendance: 129
_______________________________________________
Sunday 10th July 2022
East Midlands Women’s Cricket League Division 1
at Sileby (Leics) Umpires: Alan Pearce & Eddie McGeown
Thrapston (won toss) 23 all out (20.3 overs)
lost to Sileby 24 for 0 (3 overs) by ten wickets
______________________________________________
Tuesday 12th July 2022
Pre-Season Friendly
Aylestone Park 2 Corby Town 5 attendance: 159
_______________________________________________
Sunday 25th July 2022
Rutland League Division 1 (at Burghley Park)
Umpires: Dave Ford and Eddie McGeown
Burghley Park (won toss) 209 all out in 43.2 overs
lost to
Wisbech 210 for 2 in 32.2 overs by 8 wickets
_______________________________________________
Wednesday 27th July 2022
EUFA Women’s European Championships Semi-final
Germany 2 France 1 attendance: 27,445
_______________________________________________
Thursday 28th July 2022
Cricket at Kettering Town
Umpires: Alan Pearce and Eddie McGeown
Beds/Hunts U13 Girls 47 all out (14.3 overs
lost to
Northants U13 Girls 58 all out (13.3 overs)
then
Northants U13 Girls 84 for 5 (20 overs)
defeated
Beds/Hunts U13 Girls 56 all out (11.4 overs)
_________________________________________
Sunday 31st July 2022
East Midlands Women’s Cricket League Division 1
Umpires Alan Bowden and Eddie McGeown
Kibworth (won toss) 61 all out in 23.2 overs
lost to
Kettering Town 62 for 4 in 16.3 overs
_________________________________________
