‘September’.

Lo! a ripe sheaf of many golden days
Gleaned by the year in autumn’s harvest ways,
With here and there, blood-tinted as an ember,
Some crimson poppy of a late delight
Atoning in its splendor for the flight
Of summer blooms and joys­
This is September.

Lucy Maud Montgomery (1874-1942) is best-known for her classic novel for children, Anne of Green Gables, set in Montgomery’s own country of Canada (on Prince Edward Island). But Montgomery was also a poet, and in this short poem about September (quoted above in its entirety) she pays tribute to the ‘late delight’ of the month.

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After a superb repast at Bistrot Pierre, in the centre of town and next to a Steampunk festival taking place on the front, we repaired to The Oval, on Channel View Road, a well looked after arena with two seated stands and a standing covered area (all of the Meccano variety, but very suitable nonetheless) on a sunny and warm afternoon. There was confusion over the team lists, which bore no resemblance to the team board written up before the game and no-one, initially, appeared to know who the officials were. However, the stage was set for an FA Cup tie that was ….. underwhelming for the first hour, but which then produced three goals and a victory for the hosts. With Phil Evans and Giles Ashman.

Tuesday 5th September 2023

Vanarama National League North

Tamworth 2

Dempsey Arnott-John 21, Kyle Finn 32,

Chorley 1

Jack Hazlehurst 90+2

Referee: Darren Rogers.                                    Attendance: 921

Admission: OMGDS £14.00 (£18)                  Programme: £3.00

Eighteen years since my last visit and the obvious difference was the installation of a 3G pitch. Apart from that, it was the rip off prices that were charged! £14 for a concession to sit in the stand and that didn’t include £2.00 for the car park! Three pounds for the programme. A carton of curried chips was £4.50 and a cheeseburger was £6.00, not to mention the price of a pint of beer! The team sheets were free, however! As for the game, two early goals for the hosts rather settled the match but Chorley pulled one back in the 91st minute and were unlucky not to equalise a few minutes later.

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Wednesday 6th September 2023

FA Women’s National League Division 1 Midlands

Loughborough Lightning Women 3

Jessica Collyer 17, Hannah Plumb 21, Lauren Purchase 58,

Notts County Women 0

Referee: Charlotte Spalding.                                     Attendance: 126

Admission: OMGDS £2.00. (£5).                            Programme: on line

On a very warm and humid evening, a drinks break was taken in each half as relegated Lightning continued their fine start to the season with a convincing victory over Notts County Women, who have yet to record a victory. With John Main.

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Saturday 9th September 2023

Toolstation Western League Premier Division

Nailsea & Tickenham 0

Manager dismissed 38 mins (foul & abusive language)

Barnstaple Town 2

Billy Tucker (c) 38, Harry Foster 45+6,

Referee: Rebecca Halford.                                Attendance: 118

Admission: OMGDS £5.00 (£7).                    Programme: On Line.

Just south of Bristol across the Avonmouth bridge and into the North Somerset villages of Tickenham (pop 900) and Nailsea (pop 15,500), although Tickenham has the more impressive parish church of SS Quiricus and Julietta and right on the edge of Nailsea is the football ground, formed as recently as 2015. Most of the facilities (changing rooms, bar, toilets, refreshment areas) are housed in portakabins and the only stand (and covered area) is a scaffolded structure with maybe fifty seats. The club has done well to reach these dizzy heights in just eight years, but they were undone today by a club who recently graced The Southern League. Two first half goals and the dismissal of the home manager for foul and abusive language was enough to clinch the victory for the visitors in desperately hot and humid conditions which necessitated two drinks stoppages in each half! With John Main.

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Monday 11th September 2023

Pitching-in Southern League Premier Division Central

Hitchin Town 3

Stan Georgia 48, Finley Wilkinson 58 (pen), Daniel Idiakhoa 80,

Nuneaton Borough 0

Referee: S Kyle. Attendance: 435

Admission: OMGDS £9.00 (£13). Programme: £2.50

It’s Monday, so it must be Hitchin and around 35 other hoppers joined me for this step three clash at their iconic Top Field stadium. The first half was fairly evenly matched and Borough maybe even shaded it, but they ran out of steam after the break and conceded three times to a rampant Canaries.

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Tuesday 12th September 2023

Servio Hampshire Senior Cup 2nd Round

Alton 3

Nasim Regragui 10, Luke Perkins 19, 33,

Aldershot Town 2

H. McKenna 58, Tommy Willard 61,

Referee: Ant Cross.                              Attendance: 562

Admission: OMGDS £4.00 (£7).      Programme: £2.00

15.08 train from Corby to St Pancras (16.22)and then Waterloo (17.25) to Alton terminus at (18.31). The ground is a short (ten minute) walk from the station.

Not a fan of plastic surfaces and this one looked a tad worn. It played well, however, and a large crowd were treated to a well fought local derby in which the underdogs ran their visitors ragged in the first period and took a three goal advantage into the interval. After what must have been a tough half-time altercation, a far more determined Aldershot side came out for the second half, laid siege to the hosts goal, pulled two goals back, but, in the end, couldn’t manage to draw level. Excellent game, big crowd!

The reverse journey was a tad more complicated. 21.44 from Alton to Woking (22.21) and was there, supposed to transfer to a non-stop faster train to Waterloo. When I got to the platform, I found that it was eight minutes late! Hence I got into Waterloo five minutes later than if I had stayed on the original train! A fifteen minute wait on the platform at 23.15 for a Piccadilly line tube to St Pancras, but I got there in time for the 23.54 to Corby from which only two passengers alighted (including myself) when it arrived at 01.40.

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Wednesday 13th September 2023

Nottinghamshire Senior League Division 1

FCV Grace Dieu 2

Emiriu Hafeez 19, Danield Brooks 45,

Hucknall Town Reserves 2

Bradley Evans, 28, Kieran Orange 43

Referee: Dave Southern.                                   Attendance: 59

Admission: F.O.C.                                             Programme: NONE

Named after a local 12th century Augustinian monastery close by (but sadly, now, no more than a ruin), this was the host’s first league match at their new home, in their first season in The NSL. By the end of a feisty opening session, all the goals had been scored and the second half was a bit of a let down. There was a goodly smattering of hoppers in attendance, John Main, Martin Hayden, Peter Abbott, Greg, the pencil man, and Kizz Everard! Quite why FCV chose to play in the NSL when they are a Leicestershire side, isn’t known, except that they may have been offered a higher status in The NSL than they might have achieved in The Leicestershire Senior League. The ground is very basic. Two good sized “dug-outs” on the far side and a metal barrier with mesh surrounding the pitch, with viewing down (mainly) one side, but plenty of scope for development for someone with deep pockets.

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Friday 15th September 2023

Premier League 2 League Cup Group G

Leicester City U21 3

Wanya Marcal 31, Amani Richards 56, Silko Thomas 90+4

BurnleyU 21 4

Joe Wesley 45, 80, Basilio Sokoliche 61, Lewis Richardson 64

Referee: Dale Baines.                                               Attendance: 253

Admission: OMGDS £3.00 (£5).                           Free team sheet

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Saturday 16th September 2023

Velocity Wessex League Premier Division

Bournemouth FC 5

Joe Freak 12, 30,James Stocker 22, Cam McMonagle 85, Jayden Medcraff 88, 

Lymington Town 1

Mati Grybowski 90

Referee: Catalin Tanage.                                            Attendance: 104 (official attendance – 83)

Admission: OMGDS £4.00 (£7).                             Programme: £1.50

Victoria Park, the quaint home of The Poppies, Bournemouth’s “other” team, is situated in a quiet residential area and is relatively open on three sides, with the fourth side housing a stand to seat around 200 souls, a bar and clubhouse with minimal food options and changing rooms. Today, they were playing bottom of the table Lymington Town, recently of the Southern League. 3-0 at half-time and 5-0 until the ninetieth minute when, belatedly, the visitors pulled one goal back. With John Main.

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Tuesday 19th September 2023

Northants Senior (Hillier) Cup 1st Round

Desborough Town 2

Archie Elmore 74, Rico Duggan 81,

Bugbrooke St Michael’s 2

Johnny Carey 13, Eddie Panter 49,

Desborough Town won 5-3 on penalties.

Referee: Ben Bright.                                                  Attendance : 76

Admission: OMGDS £4.00 (£7).                            Programme: £1.00

Lovely evening with a cooling breeze at The Waterworks Field as Desborough Town who had taken the visitors apart on their own ground by 5-1, just three weeks ago, found themselves 0-2 down with but half an hour left! They clawed their way back into the match scoring two late goals and then despatched all five of their penalties, whilst the visitors missed their fourth! Good to see Stuart Long at the game. Won a box of chocolates in the raffle, but came out to a flat tyre on my car and had to summon the assistance of the RAC. Didn’t get home until 12.30am!

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The impressive old style floodlight pylons at The Waterworks Field

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Desborough Town Programme – priced at £1.00

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CRICKET:-

Sunday 3rd September 2023

ESCA (English Schools Cricket Association)

U-15 Schools T20 Finals Day at Arundel Castle

1st Semi-final:

Sedburgh School 115 for 8 (20 overs)

lost to

Trent College 116 for 0 (13.1 overs) by 10 wkts.

2nd Semi-final:

Whitgift School 164 for 4 (20 overs)

lost to

Kings College Taunton 168 for 2 (18 overs) by 8 wkts

FINAL:

Kings College Taunton 178 for 4 (20 overs)

defeated

Trent College 142 for 8 (20 overs) by 36 runs

An excellent day’s cricket at an iconic venue!

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picture courtesy of the Arundel CC Twitter page

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picture courtesy of the Arundel CC Twitter page

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picture courtesy of the Arundel CC Twitter page

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The score box, where a lot of recording of the day’s events took place

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Sunday 10th September 2023

East Midlands Women’s Cricket League

Division 2 South (at Nassington CC)

Nassington Women (won toss) 184 for 8 (35 overs)

lost to

Market Overton Women 185 for 3 (24.0 overs)

by 7 wickets

In a match affected by heavy rain, and thunder and lightning, at Nassington’s tight little ground on the banks of The River Nene and not too far from Peterborough, the visitors eventually cruised to victory against the plucky hosts, for whom Sophie Lawrence posted a not out score of 112 off 96 balls which included 16 fours.

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The Lake Isle of Innisfree

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I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree,

And a small cabin build there, of clay and wattles made.

Nine bean rows will I have there and a hive for the honey-bee,

And live all alone in the bee loud glade

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And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow

Dropping from the veils of the morning to where the cricket sings,

There midnight’s all a glimmer, and moon a purple glow,

And evening full of linnet’s wings.

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I will arise and go now, for always night and day

I hear lake water lapping with low sounds by the shore,

While I stand on the roadway, or on the pavements grey,

I heat it in the deep heart’s core.

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William Butler Yeats (1865 – 1939)

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Friday 11th August 2023

Premier League 2

Aston Villa U21 0

West Bromwich Albion U21 3

Rayhan Tulloch23, Jamie Andrews 69, 83,

Referee: Andrew Humphries.                                    Attendance: 298

Admission: £5.00.                                                        Free Teamsheet

The opening game of a strangely structured Premier League 2, with twenty six teams seemingly in one division. Villa were swept away by a powerful Albion side, but were not helped by a two yellow card dismissal just after the hour mark. With John Main.

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John Main at Bodymoor Heath

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Monday 14th August 2023

Premier League 2

Leicester City U-21   2

Amani Richards 34, Zach Booth 45+7,

Derby County U-21  1
Owen Oseni 82,

Referee: David Richardson                 Attendance: 201

Admission: OMGDS £3.00 (£5)       Free Team Sheet

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Tuesday 15th August 2023

Hertfordshire Senior County League Premier Division

Cuffley 0

Hinton 2

Cameron Hough 32, Fabian Brown 87,

Referee:- Les Moody. Attendance:- 56

Admission: F.O.C. Programme: NONE

These two teams are barely five miles apart, the hosts near Potters Bar and the visitors from Enfield. The rivalry is intense, but there was only one winner and with a goal in each half, the visitors, comfortably, took the victory and the spoils!

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Wednesday 16th August 2023

Noerthern Premier League Division 1 Midlands

Corby Town 0

Shepshed Dynamo 1

Reece Morris 89,

Referee: Harley Hetherington. Attendance: 570

Admission: OMGDS £6.00 (£10). Programme: £2.00

A large gathering watched the hosts striving mightily to make an impression on this game and they kept the visitors penned in their own half for long periods without ever looking likely to score. Smash and grab in the 89th minutes and the visitors went away considerably the happier!

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Saturday 19th August 2023

Emirates FA Cup Preliminary Round

Stockton Town 2

Adam Nicholson 73, Kevn Hayes 90+6,

Ashington 1

Jordan Summerly 53,

Referee: Sam Ross. Attendance: 321

Admission: OMGDS £7.00 (£9). Programme: £2.00

A modest 3G caged arena that nonetheless boasts two seated stands down one side and a hospitality suite as well as a small covered area behind one goal. Two cans of beer/lager/cider for a fiver was a bonus! Today, the hosts were a tad fortunate. They fell behind to a 53rd minute strike which looked likely to win the game, huffed and puffed to equalise with ten minutes remaining, and scored the winning goal in the 97th minute after their opponents had been reduced to ten men.

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Thursday 24th August 2023

Anglian Combination Premier Division

Aylsham 0

Yelverton 2

Jack Watson 13, Dan King 81,

Referee: Leon Howard.                                              Attendance: 94

Admission: F.O.C.                                                      Programme: NONE

Aylsham first played at their new home – Youngs Park – in the 2016/17 season and already plans are afoot for a £1.25 million 3G stadium to be constructed adjacent to the present site. After tonight’s performance and a pointless three game opening to the season, they may have been relegated from the premier division when they take possession of their new arena! Paul Proctor, Martin Hollands and mxhornet were also in attendance for this league match, unusually played on a Thursday.

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Saturday 26th August 2023

Isuzu FA Vase 1st Qualifying Round

Sutton Athletic 1

Jack Kirby 27,

Pagham 1

Dan Simmonds 57,

Sutton Athletic won 4-3 on penalties

Referee: Bruno Marques. Attendance: 59

Admission: OMGDS £5.00 (£10). Programme: £2.00

Unusual to find such a rustic arena so close to the capital and just over the Thames crossing at Dartford. There was a small scaffolded covered area down the near side and seating (also scaffolded) for around 100 souls on the far side. A small club house, (with changing rooms)and bar completed the amenities. Not a great advert for teams from The SCEL and The SCL, this was a dour contest of few opportunities and the penalty lottery shoot-out was won by the hosts!

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Monday 28th August 2023

Hellenic League Division 1

Tytherington Rocks 1

Kyle Head 43,

FC Bristol 2

Rick Davis 14, Kristian Miller 77,

Referee: Simon Turner. Attendance: 88

Admission: OMGDS £4.00 (£6). Programme: On line

Tytherington, a small village in south Gloucestershire of less than a thousand souls, does very well to support a step six club. The ground, visible from the M5, is situated at the end of a very narrow single track road, with a moderate stand of maybe 50 seats and a small club house with changing rooms and a bar behind the far goal. Today’s visitors, FC Bristol, we’re formerly known as Lebeq and play at the Glos FA HQ in Almondsbury. Today, they had the measure of the hosts and won more easily than the score suggests. The referee added on a total of 25 minutes added time!

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John Main at the entrance to The Harwicke Playing Field

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Tuesday 29th August 2023

Peterborough & District League Premier Division

Stanground Sports 5

Louie Venni 14, 38, 48, 75, James Stainsby 72,

Ramsey Town 0

Referee: Neil Smith.                                                    Attendance: 52

Admission: F.O.C.                                                       Programme: NONE

A railed pitch with substantial dug-outs and a minimum of cover from the persistent precipitation. The hosts were in total command throughout with three second half strikes to add to their 2-0 half time lead. With John Main.

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Wednesday 30th August 2023

United Counties League Premier Division South

Rugby Borough 1

Sam Lockley 58, Max Proudlock (c) s/o 38

GNG Oadby Town 5

Camen Bhanda 33, Mussa Bham 62, 75, 80, Lamar Parkes 73.

Referee: Daniel Miller.                                           Attendance: 88

Admission: OMGDS £3.00 (£7).                          Programme: £2.00

On their 3G pitch on the night of the super moon, the hosts were given a footballing lesson from a very composed GNG side. The 38th minute sending off, for a second yellow card, of the home captain contributed to the heavy defeat, but in truth, the visitors were always the better side. With John Main.

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CRICKET

Tuesday 1st August 2023

District Pathway Cricket at Wellingborough Old Grammarians CC

Kettering & Corby U-11 211 for 7 (35 overs)

defeated

East Northants U-11 (won toss) 61 all out (17.4 overs) by 150 runs

Umpires: Colin Samuels & Eddie McGeown

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Wednesday 2nd August 2023

District Pathway Cricket at Rushden & Higham Town CC

East Northants U13 (won toss) 77 for 6 (20 overs)

lost to

Kettering & Corby U-13 78 for 4 (16.1 overs) by 6 wickets

Umpires: Keith Timpson & Eddie McGeown

In a rain affected match reduced fro the original 35 overs per side, East Northants U=13 were worst affected as the had already completed 10.1 overs when persistent rain showers reduced the match overs.

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Wednesday 2nd August 2023

Northants Women’s Midweek Cricket League

Geddington Women  125 for 2 (Caitlin Connelly 50 no) (20 overs)

Brixworth Women (won toss) DNB – match abandoned, RAIN.

Umpire: Eddie McGeown

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Friday 4th August 2023

County U-15 Match at Oundle School

Buckinghamshire U15 101 all out (35.1 overs)

lost to

Northamptonshire U15 (won toss) 104 for 4 (23.4 overs) by 6 wickets

Umpires: Martyn Dobbs & Eddie McGeown

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Sunday 6th August 2023 (at Burton Latimer)

East Midlands Women’s Cricket League Premier Division

Burton Latimer Women 174 for 7 (45 overs)

defeated

Welbeck Women (won toss) 90 all out (32.1 overs) by 84 runs

Umpires: Martyn Dobbs & Eddie McGeown

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Monday 7th August 2023

County Development Match (at S&L Corby)

Kettering & Corby U-11 (won toss) 100 all out (28.2 overs)

defeated

Northampton & South U-11 50 all out (14.1 overs) by 50 runs

Umpires Martyn Dobbs & Eddie McGeown

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Wednesday 9th August 2023

County Pathway matches at Oundle School

1. T20

Nottinghamshire U-13  Girls (won toss) 95 for 5 (20 overs)

defeated

Northamptonshire U-13 Girls 92 for 5 (twenty overs) by three runs.

2. The Hundred

Nottinghamshire U-13 Girls (won toss) 82 for 5 (100 balls)

defeated

Northamptonshire U-13 Girls 78 for 7  (100 balls) by seven runs

Umpires: Alan Pearce & Eddie McGeown

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Saturday 12th August 2023

Northants Cricket League Division 8

at Great Bowden

S&L Corby II (won toss)  240 for 8 (45 overs)

defeated

Great Bowden 157 all out (34.5 overs) by 83 runs

Umpire: Eddie McGeown

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Sunday 13th August 2023

East Midlands Women’s Cricket League

at Nassington

Houghton & Thurnby Women 160 for 6 (35 overs)

defeated

Nassington Women (won toss) 106 for 9 (35 overs) by 54 runs

Umpires: Colin Megennis & Eddie McGeown

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Monday 14th August 2023

District Development Match

at Rushden & Higham Town CC

Northampton & South U13 239 for 8 (35 overs)

defeated

East NorthantsU13  (won toss) 90 all out (24 overs) by 149 runs

Umpires: Keith Timpson & Eddie McGeown

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Thursday 17th August 2023

District Development T20 Matches

at Wellingborough Old Grammarians CC

Kettering & Corby U-11 119 for 9 (20 overs)

defeated

Northampton & South U-11 104 for 5 (20 overs) by 15 runs

Umpires: Keith Timpson & Eddie McGeown

East Northants U-11 76 for 5 (20 overs)

lost to

Northampton & South U-11 77 for 5 (16.4 overs) by 5 wkts

Umpires Simon Clark & Eddie McGeown

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Sunday 20th August 2023

East Midlands Women’s Cricket League 

at Thrapston CC

Ockbrook & Borrowash Women  92 for 9 (40 overs)

lost to

Thrapston Women   93 for 0 (17.4 overs) by ten wkts

Umpires: Bob Inchley & Eddie McGeown

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Monday 21st August 2023

U-15 T20 Festival 

at Burton Latimer CC

Kettering & Corby U-15 133 all out (18 overs)

lost to

East Northants U-15 137 for 4 (18.4 overs) by six wkts

Umpires: Keith Timpson & Eddie McGeown

Northampton & South U-15 94 all out (19.2 overs)

defeated

East Northants U-15 78 all out (16.5 overs) by 16 runs

Umpires:- Simon Clark & Eddie McGeown

Northampton & South U-15 139 for 2 (20 overs)

defeated

Kettering & Corby U-15 131 all out (19.2 overs) by 8 runs

Umpires: Keith Timpson & Eddie McGeown

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Tuesday 22nd August 2023

County U-14 Match

at Saffron Walden CC

Essex U-14 (won toss) 227 for 9 (45 overs)

defeated

Northants U-14 145 all out (36.4 overs) by 79 runs

Umpires: Martyn Dobbs & Eddie McGeown

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Wednesday 23rd August 2023

U-10 County Match

at Rushden & Higham Town

Warwickshire U-10 117 all out (29.2 overs)

lost to

Northamptonshire U-10 118 for 8 (33 overs) by 2 wkts

Umpires: Steve Dickinson & Eddie McGeown

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Wednesday 23rd August 2023

Northants Midweek Women’s Cricket League Plate FINAL

at Kettering Town CC (6.00pm)

Geddington Women (won toss) 116 all out (18 overs)

lost to

Brixworth Women 117 for 2 (17.1 overs) by 5 wkts

Umpires: Nick Beesely & Eddie McGeown

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Barby is on the Northants and Warwickshire border, and their main team play in The Warwickshire League Division 2. They do, however, amongst their many other teams, have a side in Division 13 of the Northamptonshire League. It is a lovely ground with two full sized pitches separated by a line of trees, a club house with changing rooms and a bar and a substantial score box. Today’s matches were played by enthusiastic sides from Herts and Northants and it was fitting that each team had a victory. Better than that, it was good to see so many talented and enthusiastic young cricketers!

My heart aches and a drowsy numbness pains

My sense, as though of hemlock I had drunk,

Or emptied some dull opiate to the drains

One minute past and Lethe – wards had sunk.

Tis not through envy of thy happy lot,

But being too happy in thy happiness,

That thou, light winged Dryad of the trees,

In some melodious plot

Of beechen green, and shadows numberless,

Singest of summer with full throated ease.

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from “Ode to a Nightingale” by john Keats (1795 – 1821)

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Tuesday 11th July 2023

Pre-Season Friendly

Lutterworth Town 5

Nuno Gomes 21, 32, 48, 65, Bruno Capella 79,

Nuneaton Griff 0

Referee: Sam Anderson.                                             Attendance:- 64

Admission: F.O.C.                                                        Programme:- NONE

Lutterworth gave away free admission to this match, calculating that the bar receipts would cover expenses. Down one side of the pitch, the covered standing area had its roof removed and new hard standing installed in preparation for an extension. On the field, the step five side predictably dismantled the step six team with four goals from Nino Gomes, but it was a very entertaining tussle with the interjection of a half-time monsoon!

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You can just see the outlines of the covered area that is being re-developed

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Thursday 20th July 2023

Pre-Season Friendly

Thurlow FC 1

Aidan Leach 73,

Thaxted Rangers 0

Referee: Stuart Watson                                                            Attendance: 26

Admission: F.O.C.                                                                     Programme: NONE

Thurlow’s Wratting Road ground in Great Thurlow, is actually just inside Suffolk, but they play in The Cambs County League. Last season, they were undefeated in the fourth tier and won promotion as champions to the third tier, whilst tonight’s rivals play in the second tier of the same league. Despite the paucity of goals, this was a good game and the hosts fully merited their narrow victory.

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Saturday 22nd July 2023

Pre-Season Friendly

AFC Stoneham 1

Jake Thompson 57, 

Camberley Town 1

Charlie Oakley 79,

Referee: Derek Pratt.                                                                       Attendance: 54

Admission: £5.00.                                                                           Programme: NONE

Heavy rain fell on the 3G surface all the way through this public practice game at The home of Hampshire FA. In an evenly contested match between Wessex League Premier and Combined Counties League Premier, the spoils were shared.

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Tuesday 25th July 2023

Pre-Season Friendly

Desborough Town 1

Adam Randall 86,

Kettering Town 0

Referee: Kevin Seckington.                                               Attendance: 250

Admission: £4.00                                                               Programme: NONE

Back to one of my very favourite grounds for the first time in two years. A truly traditional and magic ground. However, gone is the graceful old stand and, in its place a 100 seater Meccano replacement. Tonight’s match was to mark the official opening of the new stand (it has actually been in situ for a season!). To be fair the new stand is perfectly functional and the old one was riven with asbestos. Pretty good match, despite the paucity of goals and the hosts were good value for their win against a side two divisions higher in the pyramid, the only goal arriving in the 87th minute.

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Thursday 26th July 2023

Pre-Season Friendly

Whitchurch United 3

Ash Neal 15, Harry Long 60, Louis Wilson 73,

Newbury 1

Jamie Goddard 86

Referee: Neil Hussey                                                         Attendance: 64

Admission: F.O.C.                                                             Programme: NONE

Longmeadow Sports Centre contains this small ground with character. A hundred seater wooden bench stand and a mini covered area in front of the bar (but none of the bar proceeds benefit the club). A slight slope from right to left and lots of additional pitches beyond the ground on the far side. It was an easy victory for the hosts, one step higher than their visitors in the pyramid. Good game!

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Saturday 29th July 2023

Southern Counties East League Premier Division

Snodland Town 2

Ben Davisson (pen) 12, and an own goal on 29,

Stansfield 0

Referee: Simon Cutler.                                                       Attendance: 239

Admission: OMGDS£6.00 (£8).                                     Programme: £2.00

A first ever match for Snodland Town at step 5, after entering The SCEL in 2015, at their neat little Potyns Field ground. We were welcomed like royalty by some very friendly officials and, early though we were, we decided to enjoy the tea bar offering rather than repair to a local hostelry. There is a hundred+ seater stand and an extensive bar, hard standing on three sides and (sadly) plans to install 3G. They won today’s match at a canter without really extending themselves! With Paul Proctor and John Main.

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CRICKET

Saturday 1st July 2023

T20 Competition at Peterborough Town

Peterborough Town 161 for 8 (20 overs)

defeated

Burton Latimer 144 for 8 (20 overs)

by 17 runs

Umpires: Chris Dunn & Eddie McGeown

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Stony Stratford (won toss) 165 for 5 (20 overs)

defeated

Burton Latimer 130 all out (19.5 overs)

by 35 runs

Umpires:: Simon Clark & Eddie McGeown

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Stony Stratford 177 for 6 (20 overs)

defeated

Peterborough Town 46 all out (11.4 overs)

by 131 runs

Umpires: Simon Clark & Chris Dunn

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Saturday 8th July 2023

T20 Competition at Horton House

Horton House 97 for 3 (13 overs)

lost to

Kettering 98 for 2 (11.1 overs) by 8 wkts

Umpires: Trevor Finch and Eddie McGeown

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Weekley & Warkton 120 for 3 (15 overs)

lost to

Kettering 121 for 2 (13.3 overs) by 8 wkts

Umpires: Jeff Beal and Eddie McGeown

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Weekley & Warkton 85 for 9 dec. (18.5 overs)

defeated

Horton House 69 all out (17.5 overs) by 16 runs

Umpires: Jeff Beal and Trevor Finch

A day of unpredictable weather and rumbling thunder at Horton House’s beautifully appointed arena, just outside Northampton, saw rain affected matches, but also, some powerful batting and determined bowling.

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Sunday 9th July 2023

Development Pathway County Match

at Wellingborough Old Grammarians CC

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Surrey U-12 Girls 105 for 0 (16 overs0

defeated
Northants U-13 Girls 78 for 5 (16 overs)

by 27 runs

Umpires: Simon Clark & Eddie McGeown

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Surrey U-12 Girls 111 for 2 (16 overs)

defeated

Northants U-13 Girls 84 for 7 (16 overs)

by27 runs

Umpires: Simon Clark & Eddie McGeown

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Adlestrop

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Yes, I remember Adlestrop –

The name because one afternoon

Of heat the express train drew up there

Unwontedly. It was late June.

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The steam hissed. Someone cleared his throat.

No one left and no one came

On the bare platform. What I saw

Was Adlestrop – only the name

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And willows, willow-herb, and grass,

And meadowsweet, and haycocks dry,

No whit less still and lonely fair

Than the high cloudlets in the sky.

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And for that minute blackbird sang

Close by, and round him mistier,

Farther and farther, all the birds

Of Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire.

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Edward Thomas (1878 – 1917)

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CRICKET:-

Thursday 1st June 2023

Player Pathway Match at Burton Latimer

Northampton & South U13      224 for 7 (40 overs)

defeated

Kettering & Corby U13      117 all out (30.4 overs)

by 107 runs

Umpires: Colin Megennis & Eddie McGeown

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Friday 2nd June

U12 County Match at S&L Corby

Essex U12      110 all out  (28.5 overs)

defeated

Northamptonshire U12      97 all out  (32.3 overs)

by 13 runs

Umpires: Alan Pearce & Eddie McGeown

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Saturday 10th June 2023

Northants Cricket league Division 1 (at Thrapston)

Thrapston (won toss) 118 all out in 34.5 overs

lost to

Haddon 123 for 4 in 23.4 overs

by six wickets.

Umpires: Chris Dunn & Eddie McGeown

Thrapston CC share their ground with Thrapston Town FC, as the floodlights bear testimony. On a pitch with a bit of softness in it, the toss was a difficult choice and, perhaps, the hosts paid the price. 74 for three after 21 overs, 102 for five after 28 overs and 118 all out ten overs later. Haddon polished of the target in 24 overs, finishing with a big six into the woods.

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Thrapston Town Football Club

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Umpires: Chris Dunn & Eddie McGeown

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Sunday 11th June 2023

Northants Player Pathway Fixture

(at Weldon – Northampton & South U11 won the toss)

Northampton & South U11 230 for 5 (35 overs)

lost to

Kettering & Corby U11 231 for 6 (32.2 overs) by 6 wickets

Umpire: Eddie McGeown

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Wednesday 14th June 2023

Northants Women’s Cricket Midweek League

(At Guilsborough CC – Haddon won toss)

Haddon Women 149 for 3 (20 overs)

lost to

Thrapston Women (Green) 150 for 2 (19.3 overs)

by 6 wickets

Umpire: Eddie McGeown

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Saturday 17th June 2023

Northants Cricket League Division 1

(at East Haddon Memorial Playing Field – Haddon won toss)

Old Northamptonians IIs  138 all out (44.4 overs)

lost to

Haddon 144 for 2 (35.2 overs)

by 8 wickets

Umpires: Martin Field & Eddie McGeown

Cricket at Stamford School

Friday 23rd June 2023

Stamford School 236 all out (47.5 overs)

defeated

Kings School (Sydney) 147 all out (42.5 overs)

by 89 runs.

Umpires: David Tress & Eddie McGeown.

Saturday 24th June 2023

Bedford School 162 all out (42.4 overs)

lost to

Stamford School 165 for 6 (37.4 overs)

by 6 wickets

Umpires: Alan Pearce & Eddie McGeown.

Couple of good games this weekend at Stamford School, the first a mini Ashes fixture, the second a tight, tense and cagey encounter between two evenly matched local rivals. The sun shone heartily on both matches!

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Sunday 25th June 2023

U13 Girls County Match

at Great Oakley (Bucks U-13 Girls won the toss)

Bucks U-13 Girls 189 for 4 (30 overs)

lost to

Northants U-13 Girls190 for 6 (26.3 overs)

by 4 wickets

Umpires: Kiran Mackwana and Eddie McGeown

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Wednesday 28th June 2023

Northants Women’s Midweek Cricket League

at Dallas Burton Cricket Ground, Brixworth (Brixworth won toss)

Brixworth Women 117 for 4 (20 overs0

defeated

Thrapston Women (Green) 101 for 6 (20 overs)

by 16 runs

Umpires: Eddie McGeown and Martin Batchelor

Tall Nettles

Tall nettles cover up, as they have done

These many springs, the rusty harrow, the plough

Long worn out, and the roller made of stone:

Only the elm butt tops the nettles now.

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This corner of the farmyard I like most:

As well as any bloom upon a flower

I like the dust on the nettles, never lost

Except to prove the sweetness of a shower.

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Edward Thomas 1878 – 1917

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Thursday 4th May 2023

Coventry Alliance Premier Division

Whitnash Town 4

Tommy Clarke 42, 47, Aaron Whitmore 43, Ryan Butler 89,

Coundon Court OB 1

Connor Haynes 83,

Referee: Michael Kalisz.                                    Attendance:- 42

Admission: F.O.C.                                              Programme: NONE

Nothing happening at The Heathcote in Whitnash, when I met up with John Main. Eventually, we discovered that the match had been switched to Ajax Park, home of Central Ajax of Midland League Division 3, some five miles away in Warwick. We got there with minutes to spare. Top of the table Whitnash swatted away second placed Coundon, as if despatching a troublesome bluebottle and took the points and the League title.

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Wednesday 10th May 2023

Nottinghamshire Senior League Division 3

Trent Vineyard 1

Rory Lewis 90+5,

The Rossoneri 3

Tizi Maninga 78, Adam Ahmed 86, Michel Locko 90+7,

Referee: Chris Jackson.                                 Attendance: 12

Admission: F.O.C.                                          Programme: NONE

Down by The river Trent in Beeston, Nottingham, even the changing rooms,adjacent to the pitch are on stilts in case the river floods right by the weir. Indeed, for much of this match, watching the river would have been far more exciting than following the football. Despite a myriad of opportunities, it took the visitors 78 minute to open the scoring. A second arrived after 86 minutes followed by a goal to each side, deep into added time at the end. With John Main and Dave Wooding.

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Thursday 18th May 2023

Coventry Alliance Division 1

Fillongley 0

Bedworth Liberal 4

Adam Woods 16, 21, 77, Ryan Jones 59,

Referee: Dave Gibbons.                      Attendance: 15

Admission: F.O.C.                               Programme: NONE

These two clubs are maybe five miles apart in North Warwickshire and almost within spitting distance of the M6 motorway. Nigel Winterburn, the Arsenal and England defender, started his football career here and his mother, Mavis, takes care of the club’s kit and has done so for the last seventy-three years! Paul Cashmore, club Secretary, is part of a small, hardworking committee who ensure that football continues in this tiny village, but none of the players are actually from here. Tonight, with nothing at stake, the visitors dominated with two goals in each half and scored a resounding victory.

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The church of St Mary peeps through the trees and overlooks the children play area adjacent to the pitch

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Saturday 20th May 2023

Herts Senior County League Division 3

Croxley Green 4

Harry West 22, Alex Hilton 27, Alex Morgan 54, Henry Hindley 71,

Sun Sports 1

Stephen Such 79

Referee: Les Moody.                                                      Attendance: 39

Admission: F.O.C.                                                         Programme: NONE

Fine repast with Phil Evans at The Harvester close by The Croxley Danes School, where the match was supposed to be played, but, of course, it wasn’t and it was Phil, a native of the metropolis, who tracked it down via knowledgeable grandson to St Joan of Arc School in Rickmansworth. It was a pretty new 3G pitch inside a cage! The hosts had an eight point advantage at the top of the table, the visitors were in second place and comprehensively dismantled by the rampant champions elect.

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Tuesday 23rd May 2023

Herts Senior County League Premier Division

Belstone 3

Joel Bell 12, Louis Lobjoit 88, Ryan Hope 90 (pen),

Cuffley Seniors 1

Dan Jones 43,

Referee:- Robert Poole.                                   Attendance: 60

Admission: F.O.C.                                           Programme: Not today! However, there usually is a programme on match day, and previous match programmes were available, free of charge.

Medburn Sports Ground, just outside Radlett, is pretty impressive with hard standing on three sides, a small covered stand and a pitch you could play bowls on! The hosts lie third in the league, started impressively, scored and then, just before the interval, gave away a howler of a goal. The second half looked particularly frustrating for the hosts, but two goals in the 88th and 90th minutes gave them the victory and the points. A goodly gathering of hoppers included Andy English, Andy Smith, Martin Hayden, Alan Pople, Russell Cox and John Main amongst others.

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John Main outside the small stand at Belstone, prior to the match

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My train to Radlett at Corby Station!

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Wednesday 24th May 2023

Herts Senior County League Premier Division

Ware Sports 0

Michael Appiah s/o 26,

Bush Hill Rangers 5

Rocheim Stewart 26 (pen), 60, Michael Akin 39, Jordan mcKenzie 43, Hamza Abdulle 67.

Referee: Andy O’Brien.                                               Attendance:- 65

Admission: F.O.C.                                                       Programme: NONE

We had hoped that this evening might have brought the third of Wodson Sport Centre’s pitches into action, but it was not to be and instead, it was a revisit to the ground where Wodson Park used to play. With this victory, Bush Hill took the Herts Senior County League Premier Division championship. It sounds a thumping victory – and it was – but it all started with a penalty after 26 minutes and a home player dismissed. 0-3 at half-time and the hosts suffered a further loss when their goalkeeper went off injured and there were no substitutes left. The Rangers Ultras kept up a vibrant support for their team, and they were not disappointed. With Martin Hayden and a host of hoppers!

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26th minute penalty scored by Rocheim Stewart.

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One of the many aeroplanes coming into land at Luton airport.

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Wednesday 31st May 2023

Herts Senior County league Division 3

Allenburys Sports 4

Chris Wells 45, Jordan Gill 50 (pen), 89 (pen), George Lacey 90+5,

Harpenden Colts 1

Charlie Ashard-Weldon 26,

Referee: Phil Gardner.                                         Attendance: 15

Admission: F.O.C.                                                Programme: NONE

On a chilly evening at Allenburys Sports & Social Club in Ware, these two teams played out the last fixture in this season’s Herts Senior County League. It was cold and miserable in the shadow of the thunderous A10, but the hosts could conceivably gain promotion if they won by five clear goals. The final score flattered them. 1-1 at the interval and 2-1 going into the final minute, the hosts grabbed two extra time goals, but it wasn’t enough to complete a successful promotion challenge! With Brian Buck and Chris Collins.

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Other Matches:

Tuesday 9th May 2023

Leicestershire & Rutland FA Saturday Trophy FINAL at Holmes Park

Community FA 1 Rogue Elite 1 (Rogue Elite won 4-2 on penalties) Attendance: 202

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Cricket

Sunday 7th May 2023

Rutland League Division 1 (at Barnack 12.30pm start)

Peterborough Town 66 all out (22 overs)

lost to:

Barnack (won toss) 69 for 3 (14.5 overs)

by seven wickets

Umpires: Andy Watson and Eddie McGeown

It was a pity that the weather was so lovely this afternoon, this match deserved to go the distance, but it was not to be, a combination of penetrating bowling and some curious batting lapses led to an early Peterborough demise and the hosts cleaned up in less than fifteen overs!

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Saturday 13th May 2023

Northamptonshire Cricket League Division 1

at Loddington Playing Fields 11.00am start

Thrapston 200 all out in 45.3 overs

defeated

Loddington & Mawsley 151 all out in 49.3 overs

by 49 runs.

Umpires: Pankaj Gurruani & Eddie McGeown

The wicket was damp and soft, especially down my end, but it played quite well with no uneven bounce and not an awful lot in the way of spin or turn. The hosts rather threw the game away, Thrapston’s modest total should have been overhauled, but by the time they were 64 for 5 and then 87 for 7, they decided to try and shut up shop and played for the draw, but even that they couldn’t achieve.

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Sunday 14th May 2023

Rutland & District League Division 1

(at Burghley Park 12.30pm start)

Burghley Park 214 for 8 (45 overs)

lost to

Barnack (won toss) 215 for 9 (43.4 overs)

Umpires: Simon Clark & Eddie McGeown

A titanic struggle in the grounds of Burghley House, home of the famous Burghley Horse Trials, and a cracking game of cricket in Stamford. It was a shame that there had to be a loser!

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Burghley House in the background built by William Cecil, Lord Burghley in the 1570s

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Wednesday 17th May 2023

National U15 Girls T20 Competition

at Stamford School 1.30pm start

Abbotsholme School (won toss) 179 for 0 (20 overs)

defeated

Stamford School 111 all out (18 overs)

by 68 runs

Umpires: Martyn Dobbs & Eddie McGeown

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Wednesday 17th May 2023

Northants Women’s Midweek League

at Geddington 6.00pm start

Geddington 104 for 1 (18 overs)

lost to

Kettering (won toss) 105 for 4 (16.1 overs)

by six wickets

Umpires: Eddie McGeown & Simon Clark

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Sunday 21st May 2023

East Midlands Women’s Cricket League Division 1

at Thrapston 1.00pm start

Kettering Women 163 all out in 36.2 overs

defeated

Thrapston Women 136 all out in 33.0 overs

by 27 runs

Umpires: Kate Marshall & Eddie McGeown

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Thursday 25th May 2023

Down the right hand arm of “The Dusty”, crossing Corby Road, and the field opposite, to enter the gloom of The Plantation, emerging into an avenue of hawthorn, flanked by brackish pools of water before espying a birdwatch (or maybe a deer watch) shelter ……. and, there, in the distance, a small muntjac unawares, about to beetle off into the undergrowth. More brackish pools and a “pepperpot”, a tower taking air into the railway tunnel 150 feet below. Up on the escarpment, a wonderful view across the valley to Caldecott and then, emerging halfway down Rockingham hill, a castle entrance, whilst next door, the church of St Leonard points it’s tower heavenwards, with the battlements of Rockingham Castle behind it. Onwards, briefly skirting Great Easton, to the church of St John the Evangelist in Caldecott (always open) and then back across the verdant fields, rich with sheep and buttercups, towards Gretton Weir, running quite low and then, the climb back up into Gretton, passing the parish church of St James. Eight stiles and 10.33 miles.

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Caldecott

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St John the Evangelist, Caldecott

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Pippa’s Song

The year’s at the spring,

And day’s at the morn,

Morning’s at seven,

The hillside’s dew-pearl’d,

The lark’s on the wing,

The snail’s on the thorn,

God’s in His heaven  –

All’s right with the world.

Robert Browning (1812-1889)

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Monday 3rd April 2023

Spartan South Midlands League Division 2

AFC Caddington 1

Callum Moore 6,

Sarratt 2

Dan Ormsby 31, Richard Vercesi 77 (pen)

Referee:- Connor MacKay.                                 Attendance:- 59

Admission : F.O.C.                                              Programme: NONE

On a chilly evening, just outside Luton in the Bedfordshire village of Caddington, with aeroplanes, low flying overhead, coming in to land at Luton airport, and a goodly gathering of hoppers, these two sides from the lower echelons of the division, played out a fairly feisty encounter on a cow field of a football pitch. The hosts, newly arrived back in The SSML this season, scored first, but were pegged back before the interval and then undone by a 77th minute penalty.

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Tuesday 4th April 2023

Uhlsport Hellenic League Division 2 South

Letcombe 3

Josh Fowler 18, 78, Jordan Davies 52,

Farringdon Town 0

Referee: Michael Cofie.                                Attendance: 41

Admission: F.O.C.                                        Programme: NONE

Letcombe Regis in darkest, deepest Oxfordshire (population: 578), hosts a quite scenic recreation arena with cricket and tennis and far out at the back, a football ground with a fifty seater stand, hard standing and access to the rustic club house with a couple of excellent real ales available. Tonight, top of the table Letcombe, were taking on local rivals, Faringdon Town, who were themselves occupying third place with a game in hand, but it was no contest. Farringdon never really looked like scoring, whilst the hosts bagged a couple of second half strikes to add to their eighteenth minute opener. It was pretty dark at the end!

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Thursday 6th April 2023

Spartan South Midlands League Division 2

Sarratt 4

Connor Wagner 66, 76, 81, Richard Vercesi 80 (pen),

Buckingham United 3

Ashley Urquhart 39, 56, Matt Cruse 70,

Referee:- Mark Bowring.                                   Attendance: 23

Admission: F.O.C.                                              Programme: NONE

The King George V playing Field (Sarratt) was drenched by heavy rain prior to this encounter, but the pitch, whilst greasy remained bumpy and uneven. The hosts, becalmed in mid-table were lacklustre for much of this match. They went into the interval a goal down and wih ten minutes remaining, were 1-3 down and third from bottom Buckingham had hopes of a rare victory. Three goals in a rousing final five minutes retrieved the situation and consigned the visitors to yet another defeat.

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Germany April 2023

Another foreign visit and the second to Germany this year! Son Mike and grandson Freddie were joined by Mike’s brother-in-law, Alan Eathorne and his son, Albie, and  Gary Miller, perennial and brilliant organiser of these German trips. Me? I just tag along for the ride and enjoy getting to as many grounds as possible!. Our flight left Stansted at 07.25 and we were in Cologne for 9.30am (CET). The first day was split up. We were all staying at The Mercure Hotel in Dusseldorf, but the rest of them were going to see Bayer Leverkusen. As I had already been there, I chose to go, instead, to Duisburg, despite the fact that the match in Liga 3 was against Borussia Dortmund seconds! So, when they got off the train at Dusseldorf to go to the hotel, they took my bag with them, but I stayed on the train to Duisburg.

Saturday 8th April 2023

Deutsche Bundesliga 3

MSV Duisburg 0

Borussia Dortmund II 5

Antonio Papadopoulos 25, Nijnmah 57, Michael Eberwein 67, Marvin Senger (og) 70,Franz Pfanne 75, 

Referee:- Jonas Brombacher.                                 Attendance:- 11,073

Admission:- €27.00.                                                Programme:- NONE

Quite an impressive stadium, though barely a third full and only a small gathering of away fans, maybe a little over a hundred. Lots of BVB fans at Duisburg station going to their home match with Union Berlin! Neither of these two teams are proving successful, this season, though the hosts are higher in the table. However it was the visitors who stole the show, started slowly, a single goal to the good at the break, but a stunning second half saw them strike four more times and, at the end, they ran to their fans in the away end, ecstatic and pretty well pleased with themselves. Many of the home fans did stay, but many also left before the end!

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The away contingent at MSV Duisburg

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Sunday 9th April 2023

Deutsche Bundesliga

Borussia Monchengladbach 2

Nathan Ngoumou 34, Marcus Thuram 63,

VfL Wolfsburg 0

Referee:- T Gerach.                             Attendance:- 51,127

Admission:- €31.90 (re-sale).           Programme:- NONE

The usual German efficiency, free bus service to and from the Hauptbanhof to the stadium. However, after the match, whilst I enquired which bus went back to Hauptbanhof, the rest just jumped onto the first available bus and it WAS NOT GOING to Hauptbanhof! They had a merry ride before being dropped off somewhere nearer the station, whilst I was already back in Dusseldorf! Magnificent arena, plenty of legroom in this ground, less than 20 years old and a victory for” Die Fohlen” – the foals, named after the very successful young team of the seventies.

I was sat next to Joachim Gnatzky, who was from Monchengladbach. He to was a football hopper, though perhaps not on the grand scale, but he was knowledgeable and he mentioned an U-19 tournament taking place in Dusseldorf over Easter, and suggested that I might go and see one of the matches.

Today’s game was cat and mouse. The visitors had by far the better possession, but went in a goal adrift at the interval. The hosts, who rarely squandered more than three players in attack, stole another breakaway goal midway through the second half and strode away with an unlikely victory!

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From the left: Albie, Freddie, Gary, Mike and Alan

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