London Cup

[paul]

Well 100/0 against a very good Glamorgan attack!  Was a bit afraid they were going to score 300 plus and so restricting them to 264 and all of our bowlers had very respectable/good figures was encouraging and obviously gave us a good chance. But to always be on top and always look like winning was more than expected. Great performance, good start to the competition. Really hope to make it to Bristol on Sunday. 

[rcotswold]

Well you missed a decent game. A good win in the end, although it looked like it would be close until Higgins blasted away. Excellent performances from Hankin, Roderick, Higgins and on the bowling side Worrall and Smith.
On the down side the pathetic hand dryers in the gents loos still in place [for heavens sake get some decent ones] and the portaloos on the flats side of the ground were not accessible! Some thinking please management!

[paul]

I got to the game, very pleased about that. Don't forget Liddle's outstanding figures for the 2nd game in a row. A few off the fields things though. Yes Lawrence was a bit naughty not declaring a boundary, he obviously A) Believed he had saved it, or B) Cheated The crowd thought he had cheated and he got a hard time. What wasn't needed though was the reception committee of "cheat cheat" as he walked off the pitch. It was OTT. The 2 runs in question no longer mattered (thankfully) and we had won the game, no need to verbally attack the Essex player. It wasn't 1 or 2 either. While we on the subject of the ground then. As a new member that has moved back to the area, I was astonished to find there is no segregated members area at the Brightside. There were a few lads having a few beers in front of the Pavilion, to be honest it didn't bother me, but it did bother some of the members sat on the benches and they eventually got them moved. But it's not what they did, it's the fact if the area was members only it wouldn't have happened. Its bound to have an effect on the take up of memberships what is the point of them when you don't get the benefit of a few of the better seats, (which is always subject to personal preference anyway) The T20 format across the country is getting a bad reputation for being an excuse for a piss up and not family orientated. I just feel its not a surprise when the Brightside ground is a right mish mash and the gates are opened and its a free for all. They need a family area FAST and a members area. Its what most grounds do, why isn't it in place in Bristol? You don't want to take your kids sit down in a nice seat and then suddenly a load of lads having a day out on the pop sit next to you and start swearing every 2 seconds. Isn't this all obvious stuff? This is not a rant, its the blinking truth and its right as well. Glos have got this wrong, simple as that. If the pavilion area was members only then Lawrence would not have had to walk though the quite nasty reception he got walking off the pitch. Luckily no-one reacted.

Great performance again by Glos, check the other games 4 out of the 6 the teams batting first scored over 300. Just Essex and Yorkshire scored less. Thats two games now we have restricted the batting side to a reasonable total 264 and yesterday 287. And twice when we have batted we have been on the run rate, and got the runs with 10 or so balls left. Getting off to a good start with Dent and Hankin (very impressive George) and everyone through the innings not rushing, playing daft shots, but very controlled, keeping the scoring going with lots of singles, and stepping it up towards the end. Higgins and Roderick did that when required. But we were always up with the run rate. Great stuff.

[steve]

On paper this Glos one day side looked very decent - and now they are doing it in all areas of the pitch.

For the first time this season it looks like we have a team selected where all eleven deserve their place.

The signing of Ryan Higgins has been a masterstroke. We have needed a genuine all rounder for a few seasons now and he has given the balance we so badly needed.

The arrival of another all rounder twenty years ago gave us the momentum to develop into the countries leading one day side!

[procswrongfoot]

What an excellent start to our RLC campaign.

Glamorgan: Following the action from home, there was a really worrying period when Ingram and Shaun Marsh were scoring freely and starting to threaten a big total. The defining moment of the match was Dent bringing back Worral for his third spell to remove both of these dangerous batsmen. Worral seems to have an excellent "effort ball", with extra surprise zip. Liddle received deserved plaudits for quickly mopping up the Glamorgan tail, but Worral took the key wickets.

Really surprised that Hankins opened (yes I know he has been opening recently for the Seconds). However, superb opening partnership with plenty of positive strokes, set us up for a well controlled run chase.

Essex: Magnificent team effort to beat a strong Essex side, once again in glorious batting conditions. Hankins again set the tone in chasing down their total, followed by a measured effort from Roderick. Pessimistic me rather thought we had left ourselves rather too much to do over the last 10 overs or so. However, in strides Ryan Higgins for a match winning blast. This is no one dimensional across the line slogger......some of his straight hitting is absolutely magnificent.

So, away to Surrey on Wednesday (who have lost both of their opening fixtures). From what I have read elsewhere, it is very unlikely that Morne Morkel will be fit enough to make his Surrey debut. (Not entirely sure regarding Roy and Tom Curran....are they still away at the IPL?). Would really love to see Jack score a typically pugnacious 60 or 70 to boost his confidence.

Hope that George Hankins continues his run of form. If so, he is bound to force himself into our next CC line up. A great and necessary bonus.

C'mon the Glos.

[paul]

Morkel playing for 2nds today so guess decision on him later unless he is already counted out. Curran with KKR and they qualified so won't be playing .But Roy with DD who did not qualify so guess he might make squad when it is announced. He hasn't done a great deal for last 2 months.

[procswrongfoot]

Paul

Many thanks for your update on the Surrey trio.

Surrey have just announced their 14 man squad for tomorrow.....Jason Roy included but no Morkel. Rather thankful that we won't be facing Morkel, as when he gets his length right he can be an absolute handful bowling from that height. Did see a comment yesterday on the Surrey forum......someone suggesting that for their last 3 matches in the RLC competition, they would have Kohli, Roy, Morkel and Tom Curran all available to play. If so, I am somewhat glad that we are playing them early on in the comp

Rather hope that we will not have the misfortune of Rob Bailey umpiring tomorrow. Still have not forgiven him for the Dernbach hat trick LBW decision given against David Payne in the RLC final at Lord's in 2015. An absolute shocker of a decision....struggling to hit even a second set of stumps down the leg side. Think Bailey must have been desperate for a late lunch or perhaps the toilet was calling. Whatever the reason it was complete incompetence and a hang your head in shame moment.

[paul]

Yes was just about to post Roy is in, and you are right later will be worse. But still Surrey having lost their 1st two so obviously going 3 down would knock their plans right out the window. This is huge now for them. 

[procswrongfoot]

The injury to Worral is a major blow. I have seen it suggested that he has a suspected stress fracture of the foot. As he is only signed until early July, I do rather fear that sadly we might not be seeing him in action again. Without Worrall, Norwell or Payne our bowling resources are starting to look rather threadbare.

As to the Surrey match. At 131 for 5 (off 28 overs), there was never a decent platform for Jack and Ryan Higgins to follow their natural very aggressive instincts. Instead it was rather an innings retrieval mission and overall I thought that a total of 282 for 6 was a decent effort in the circumstances.

Very interesting that Surrey elected to bowl a total of 23 overs of spin. Probably gives a clear indication of what they thought of the Oval wicket. Not a policy that we could follow when it was our turn to bowl.

The excitement of removing Roy in the first over was rather a false dawn. Really got to hand it to 19 year old Will Jacks, absolutely fearless cricket. Apart from an economical spell from Benny, it was impossible to create any real pressure.

Friday sees Hants (3 wins out of 3) at home. Based on the laws of averages, they are due a defeat

[paul]

Yep agree with all of that procswrongfoot.

[paul]

Saw the thunderstorm on the radar, it was strange because rather being a normal sort of round shape showing on the screen it was long and thin and it was travelling diagonally right over Bristol,so anything in path was going to get very wet indeed, but 5 miles down the road no rain at all. But Bristol got the whole lot, so unlucky is an understatement. 5 miles difference left or right! they would be playing now.In a good position in the league but not good losing too good home fixtures in two days.

[graham]

May 21, 2018 4:16:41 GMT paul said:

I got to the game, very pleased about that. Don't forget Liddle's outstanding figures for the 2nd game in a row. A few off the fields things though. Yes Lawrence was a bit naughty not declaring a boundary, he obviously A) Believed he had saved it, or B) Cheated The crowd thought he had cheated and he got a hard time. What wasn't needed though was the reception committee of "cheat cheat" as he walked off the pitch. It was OTT. The 2 runs in question no longer mattered (thankfully) and we had won the game, no need to verbally attack the Essex player. It wasn't 1 or 2 either. While we on the subject of the ground then. As a new member that has moved back to the area, I was astonished to find there is no segregated members area at the Brightside. There were a few lads having a few beers in front of the Pavilion, to be honest it didn't bother me, but it did bother some of the members sat on the benches and they eventually got them moved. But it's not what they did, it's the fact if the area was members only it wouldn't have happened. Its bound to have an effect on the take up of memberships what is the point of them when you don't get the benefit of a few of the better seats, (which is always subject to personal preference anyway) The T20 format across the country is getting a bad reputation for being an excuse for a piss up and not family orientated. I just feel its not a surprise when the Brightside ground is a right mish mash and the gates are opened and its a free for all. They need a family area FAST and a members area. Its what most grounds do, why isn't it in place in Bristol? You don't want to take your kids sit down in a nice seat and then suddenly a load of lads having a day out on the pop sit next to you and start swearing every 2 seconds. Isn't this all obvious stuff? This is not a rant, its the blinking truth and its right as well. Glos have got this wrong, simple as that. If the pavilion area was members only then Lawrence would not have had to walk though the quite nasty reception he got walking off the pitch. Luckily no-one reacted.

Great performance again by Glos, check the other games 4 out of the 6 the teams batting first scored over 300. Just Essex and Yorkshire scored less. Thats two games now we have restricted the batting side to a reasonable total 264 and yesterday 287. And twice when we have batted we have been on the run rate, and got the runs with 10 or so balls left. Getting off to a good start with Dent and Hankin (very impressive George) and everyone through the innings not rushing, playing daft shots, but very controlled, keeping the scoring going with lots of singles, and stepping it up towards the end. Higgins and Roderick did that when required. But we were always up with the run rate. Great stuff.

As far as I know the only segregated area for members for one day games is the Hammond Roof. The 'family stand' for non drinkers is in front of the apartments on the left when looking across from the Pavilion.

The members only area is only really policed these days at county championship games. From a commercial point of view this is probably sensible as the members tend not to got to the shorter form games.

[paul]

Appreciate your reply Graham. I think the family stand info might be out of date as I don't think that is policed either. But I think you summed it up about the commercial aspect as regards beer sales you are spot on. But that's the point of this post it's not good enough. The ground is a nightmare for members. All Members should have own area and own bar. Chicken or egg if anyone says there is not enough members. And £600 plus for elite members should be scrapped, look after all members properly first. Just my view. Up to the club if they are happy with it.

[procswrongfoot]

Frankly, this bad luck with the weather is becoming absolutely cruel. So according to today's news, May was the sunniest and warmest on record. Yet we still ended up with our last two home matches abandoned (with 8 games in the RLC played around the country last Sunday, we end up with the only no result). Taunton yesterday merely took us into despair territory....only 4 overs away from a well deserved D/L victory. In the South Group, 4 matches have ended up as no results......we have featured in 3 of those !!!

As for the match yesterday, how quickly can fortunes in cricket change. With Somerset charging along at an alarming rate a huge total seemed likely. However, the double wicket maiden from Benny totally changed the course of the innings. A wonderful comeback by the bowlers, backed up by some excellent fielding.

Browsing through the Somerset (Grockles) forum (over 60 plus posts the last time I looked), could not see even one word of faint praise for the efforts and spirit of Glos. No real change there I suppose, our noisy neighbours have never really been renowned for anything more than attempting to put us down. However, page 2 of their relevant match thread is well worth a look....scroll down to see some excellent quality photographs. The one of their Number 11 looking back at his middle stump flying through the air, after being castled by Craig Miles is absolutely brilliant. Anyway, amongst their legions of supporters there must be a magnanimous Somerset fan out there somewhere....... so on their behalf let's just say "WELL PLAYED GLOS"

Time for our luck to change, me thinks.

[procswrongfoot]

Fair to say that a total of 322 off 50 overs would always be deemed to be a really decent total. Accordingly, I probably will sound rather churlish to suggest that I somehow think that we missed out on achieving an even bigger total against Kent. Dent and Hankins had given us a really excellent platform, and at 153 for 1 at the half way stage we really should have been looking at around 360. (Even more so when considering that Kent had plundered 384 against the Surrey attack on the same ground two days earlier).

With Hankins anchoring the innings, there was an ideal opportunity for changing the batting order by putting in a real agressive hitter (eg Higgins) rather than Roderick batting at 4. Potentially could well have put their bowlers and fielders under greater pressure. Although Cockbain and Jack put on 99 runs together, it was all around a fairly controlled 8 runs per over. Really needed 3 or 4 mega overs where we regularly peppered or cleared the boundary. The last few overs turned into rather a mess and we failed to finish strongly when in such a good position.

Obviously, even 360 might not have been enough. However, the Kent early batsmen might have needed to take one or two more chances if chasing a higher total.

Whilst we obviously now need to beat Middlesex in the final match, it is a great shame that we will still need to rely on the results of other matches. Very much an outside chance now. Whatever happens the performances of Hankins have been a huge bonus.

PS On another topic, I was reading the musings of John Light this morning. He was wondering if our present trialist might make an appearance for us in our next County Championship game. Apparently, he is around 6 foot 9 inches tall. Can't say I have seen any previous mention of this, so can anyone enlighten me with a name or any other details?