Minstrel won by 26 runs

An excellent game again although a tactical error by the Section 19 skipper before the game began may have sealed their fate. Basically a discussion ensued as to whether the game should be 11-a-side or 12-a-side as both teams had 12 players. It was decided to play 12-a-side and, as shall be revealed, that was his big mistake!

Section 19 won the toss and elected to field.

Lampitt, in his first game of the season, started off at his usual snail’s pace but a rush of blood to where his hair used to be saw him LBW trying to turn Dave off his legs. Tom Fisher was out to the catch of the day shortly after when Ross dived about 20 yards to get him caught and bowled. Jonah was the Alan’s only victim and the top 3 in the order were back on the boundary. Jig steadied the ship with an ebullient 21 before being the first victim of an interesting interpretation of the LBW law. Rob was the next victim of the ‘interesting interpretation of the LBW law’ for 5 but Hawkeye was absolutely plum when he followed him back. Jake got his first ever, but I’m sure not his last, duck and this was followed by ducks for Hannon and Compo. When Bugner’s was the 10th wicket to fall at 60 it looked all over for Minstrel, but do you remember that tactical error of playing 12-a-side? Well, Fisher joined Prosser for the 11th wicket and at the end of the allotted 25 overs they were still together. Prosser was 14 not out and Fisher 16. With 22 extras (mainly byes and leg byes) they put on 52 for the eleventh wicket, a new Minstrel record and, as it was to prove, the final nail in Section 19’s coffin.

19’s innings started brightly and Alan looked very comfortable but lost his opening partner, Shaun, to Rob Doyle on 9. Paul then helped to add 53 for the 2nd wicket before he became Jake’s first victim. As the score was 62 and Minstrel had been 60 for 10, the tactical error was already telling. An 11-a-side game would have finished with Section 19 winning by 9 wickets! Anyway, Liam’s wicket was Compo’s first on 67 and Dave was his second on the same score. When Shady fell to Prosser without troubling the scorers either, the score was 72 –6. Tony hit 4 before Compo got him and Tony II (1) in the same over. Jake Doyle wrapped up the tail of Mark (2), Jake (0) and Ross (3) but not before that Prosser/Fisher combination got Alan (35) caught behind. Curiously Alan’s was the only wicket that wasn’t bowled. Michael was stranded on 1 not out and Section 19’s innings closed on 86: 26 runs adrift.

Lots of drinking then followed to add to the lots of drinking that had been done before and during the game and £150 was raised for the Air Ambulance. Thanks to Gayle etc. for that.
Gloating rights go to Minstrel for another year and we’ll probably play again next year. Well, we have to keep giving them chances, don’t we?

Saturday 16th July 2005
(Amy Memorial Day)
Minstrel beat 12 Gentlemen of Coleshill by 5 wickets.
Football - Lost 6-1
Darts - Lost 6-2
(Fuller Report on Results Page)

Saturday 2nd July 2005
Minstrel beat The Dog and Partridge by 85 Runs.
Darts - Won
Pool - Lost
Karaoke - Draw
(Full[ish] Report on Results Page)

Saturday 25th June 2005
Minstrel beat Knobs XI by 8 wickets.
Darts - Won
Pool - Drew??
Table football - Drew??
(Full[ish] Report on Results Page)

Second match played (11/06/05) and first defeat registered!

AMS CC 112 - 7
Minstrel 87 - 7
LOST by 25 runs
(Full Report on Results Page)

Goodbye to the FOX
After many rumours over many years, the FOX and GRAPES finally closed its doors on Wednesday 4th May (may the 4th be with you!)

Salvaged from the shit were the following:
Dartboard - Hannon
Gotham Shield - Jig
Gibraltar Darts and Pool Trophy (stolen by Minstrel after we lost) - Fisher
Various other bits and nicotine encrusted pieces- Various

The UGM (Ugly General Meeting) took place recently and, as usual, very little was discussed.
It was decided, however, to donate any spare money it the kitty to the Amy Memorial day which will take place in July again this year (SEE 'Fixtures').

OLD NEWS

Sully Centurions 3rd XI vs Minstrel Saturday 4th September. We lost. (More details on Tours and Results pages).

Minstrel vs Section 19
It actually happened!
A party atmosphere was the backdrop to this long awaited fixture. Minstrel just won it, but the cricket was secondary to a Saturday of drinking and fund raising. A jolly time was had by all!
(More details on Results page.)

MINSTREL MANAGE TO DO IT!
In the Amy Memorial Day at Coleshill, Minstrel lost the football, the cricket and the darts!!
For full details - see Results Page

Channel 4 came to visit on Saturday 15th May to find out if we are worse than Zimbabwe. Obviously it wasn't shown.

(FIXTURES are now on the fixtures page)

2003 WORST player of the year - BUGNER. Congratulations, Mr. Harris on retaining your title. A true Conluvien: the scum of scum.
Oh, Jones was voted best player. 2004 player will be voted for at UGM.

Those that played in 2004

Jig (Doyle, J)* - Captain
Beaky, Chimney etc, (P Hannon) - Vice Captain
Prosser (G Buchanan)
Compo (P Compton)
Blade (R Doyle)
Old Soak, Ollie (DJ Fisher)+
Ginga Sloth (JM Fisher)
Prince Harry/Freddie Fisher (TA Fisher)
Bod (JA Doyle)
Boring, Boring Graniger (S Lampitt)
Hawkeye (P Seaman or L Hawke)
Welsh Paddy (V Morgan)
Jona (N Jones)
The Frog (A Lippiat)
JezBollah (J Steadman)
Teagle (R Teagle)
Jamie (J Teagle)
COSGROVE(?????)
Rakhally (Rackhally, P)