Match Report
1993 Annual General Meeting
Apologies for absence were received from "132", formerly known as Graham Roberts and Glenn McMahon,- but who needs them anyway!! Spud outlined the efforts made to improve our opposition and strive towards being a wandering club. The importance of our punctuality, appearance, and conduct both during and after games was stressed, as an integral point in achieving these aims. AKA Young Chickens will again enter the Ray Willis Trophy, with competition commencing in late May. Neil produced a tremendous Balance Sheet, which showed staggering pre-tax profits of £357.Talk of a stock market flotation was put on ice. Despite a relatively healthy financial position, it was agreed that match fees should be raised to meet the increased cost incurred through away fixtures. Annual subscription remains at £20.The much maligned fines system is to be revamped, to remove the sillier aspects of the system. Spud expressed his pleasure at leading such a successful side last year and hoped that individuals would continue their personal development to the benefit of the club. A Player of the Year award will be presented at the end of th season, determined by a match by match voting system. Talk of a tour was in the air, but if it is left to the present Socialites to organise, you can be fairly sure it will remain pure speculation.
Gordon sent word of the availability of nets at the Waterfront Leisure Centre and it is hoped that this facility will be used prior to the start of the season. A Rule 19 Ballot was unanimously carried, stating that;-"The player once known as Graham Roberts to be now known only as 132 or Dyslexic Ted (D.T.)". All major Officers of the Club remained in post for the 1993 season, with the addition of The Tongue as Social Assistant and Portly Clark to the fines bench.
Sunday 25 April -v- Brasted Invicta at Valence School
Our traditional opener got underway, despite the inclement weather due entirely to the valiant efforts of the home ground staff, who rigged up a DIY cover that kept the very worst of the rain from penetrating the strip. Spud was able to call on the majority of the side that served so admirably last term, whilst welcoming the arrival of Baz 'the scythe' Gale. Old habits die-hard, as Spud continued an impressive toss-losing streak with the coin, but was pleasantly surprised at being offered first knock. In an effort to avoid the domino syndrome that blighted our middle order last year, the skip reshuffled his hand and was rewarded immediately by some positive contributions. Darkie looked like he'd hardly had a break, resuming the style and panache that profited him so well last year, but unfortunately forgetting to trouble the scorer. The two Neil’s fared little better, which left Chucks charting unfamiliar waters, finding himself still there with a third of the side back in the pavilion. Brasted with their tails up, had not reckoned with the devastation that was to be reaped from Barry's crook. In an innings of 89 he harvested runs from all sources with a rich array of agricultural hoicks. Using the mediaeval three-field farming method he single-handedly blunted the blades of Brasted's Combine Harvester. Gordon provided the perfect foil, with an innings of patient play and miss, before the departure of both, led to a brutal late assault from Slack Timms. We finally posted a target of 184 for the home team to chase, before dismantling a splendid tea. Brasted's early order demise was even more pronounced than our earlier effort, with Jim and Steve returning to the form of last year as if they had never been away. As a contest the match was all but over by 11 overs, with half the side returned and only twelve on the board. Charity got the better of Spud, as he fed some runs to the oppo in an effort to make a game of it, but even this magnanimous gesture failed to provide a spark to a poor batting side .Only Mr. Mayes, showing scant regard for a class spinner, offered brief hope of revival, but he fell, one of two victims to born-again spinner Schultz.
Victory was denied by a resolute defensive rear-guard action that even Express Train Timms could not penetrate and our hosts finished on 59-9.
After a photo call we regrouped in The Lamb for refreshment and were sated by numerous performance jugs from the oppo, not least one each from LSC and Pitch-fork Gale. Those that still had it in them returned to The Bull, after we had seen off the oppo at the Lamb.
