FIND EMBERTON   CRICKET GROUND

TOTE  WINNERS

BOARD 20 FINALS DAY   August 20th 2006  COUNTY GROUND

As local cricketers and general cricket enthusiasts and in the wake of an Ashes triumph, talk of silverware of your own to celebrate crops up from time to time during pub conversations.  

The reinvention of the midweek limited overs cup to cash in on the Twenty20 phenomenon seemed to add new vitality to the competition with the promise of a finals day at the county ground. As semi regular visitors to the home of Northamptonshire CCC,  I have always been interested in what it would feel like to walk out onto the hallowed(!) turf in front of literally 10s of old men. Although not the most modern, flash or outsized of County Grounds, it is our closest first class facility the opportunity to stand on the balcony, change in the changing rooms and stride down the steps onto the field would be welcomed. 

The route to would-be glory began slowly with a bye in the 1^st round and then a comfortable win over local rivals Wellingborough, Ralphie the star with the bat. Horton were our next opponent, guest antipodean Steve Musgrave in the side. With the game rain reduced, we looked to be slipping out after a good bowling show but a ferocious over of hitting from Pikey changed the complexion. The vital two runs were scrambled from the last ball of the innings to tie the game and complete a victory courtesy of having a higher score at the ten over stage. Rothwell came and went without even a whimper about the wicket and Wollaston are semi-finalists, our opponents confirmed as last year’s league champions Irthlingborough, Finedon and Saints to meet in the other game.

With sponsorship secured from The Crispin Arms, PBES Electrical Solutions and Print and Data Source, organising a coloured kit to play in was the next step, Perry and Jones the men charged. Skipper Bahra used his contacts to secure some trousers/tights (20% spandex) and a couple of glitches aside, the task was completed. It was agreed by consensus that we may be underdogs but we would be exceptionally dressed ones.  

The nerves began a couple of weeks in advance but we remained fairly confident that we had a winning formula and enough quality to win if we played well. The team decided to meet early in order to soak up the atmosphere, warm up and give Neil the opportunity to showcase his coaching skills on a bigger stage. We arrived at 9.30am and in the midst of talk of postponement due to some rain the previous night and the need to prepare the square for the coming Championship game. Various negotiations took place and it then emerged that we would play but with the covers on the far side of the square acting a boundary, about 30 yards away from the playing wicket!! Fortunately common sense prevailed and the covers were removed and a suitable boundary set and the first game began and we headed to breakfast.  

With Saints comfortably easing Finedon aside, the time was nigh. Marcus and Lucky were sent to the toilets accompanied by myself and a pair of scissors to adjust their trousers. This turned about to be a trickier job than was expected with the lads desperate to avoid the ‘off the ankle’ look that Pikey insists on sporting with all his trousers. As our Boro rivals had pinched the slightly bigger home dressing room, we were left to share the away facilities with Saints. Simon Driver quickly carried out his customary dressing room inspection and approved the amenities as being suitable for our needs with regards to size, cleanliness, quality of showers and kit storage. The toss was won and Wollaston start in the field, time to kit-up for the first time and we certainly looked the part, if not a touch taut round the backside in some cases.

Walking down the steps and onto the field to start the game, there was some tension but most of all anticipation and pride in wearing the Wolly blue. The crowd had swelled with the arrival of what seemed like the entire population of Irthlingborough, there was however still plenty of friendly support to count on and we received a heart-warming reception. The game began quickly with Lucky bowling first up and started perfectly with the author clutching a fierce struck chance left handed at the second attempt. The feeling was immense and the celebration spoilt only by my finger inadvertently going up Muff’s nose during the mêlée. Another wicket soon followed as the openers completed tidy spells but a burgeoning partnership featuring their hard hitting overseas threatened to take the score away from us. Some excellent fielding, including a sensational full length one handed diving stop on the boundary from Pez and a towering catch from Ralphie restricted the score the a gettable one hundred and forty. A couple of expensive overs towards the end had removed some gloss but we were certainly ready to give it a go.  

Sadly it never quite happened for us and at 6 for 3 in the second over we were up against it. Walking out to bat in front of the largish crowd was certainly nerve racking and I was slightly apprehensive but it was comforting to see our loyal and  in some cases inebriated support gathered square of the wicket. A magnificent straight driven maximum from Mercer into the first tier of the stand was the highlight of a mini revival but they bowled well and we couldn’t keep up the scoring rate as wickets fell.  

A start like that was always going to make it difficult and so it would prove. Final thoughts were that an exceptional overseas player was the main difference between the sides and with a better start who knows what might have been. Tea was followed by the presentation of a medal and then we were left to join our fans for the final and some A- grade spectator sledging.  

Looking back I think the whole club and particularly the players would say that it was immensely enjoyable. Standing on the player’s balcony looking over the ground somehow makes you feel like a real cricketer with something to offer the game; memories of a wet day at Corby seem far away. The opportunity to play where professionals earn their living, in front of a not inconsiderable crowd is not one that comes along every year and will be cherished. The outfield was superbly carpet-like, the atmosphere energizing and the wicket the straw coloured, rock-solid strip that a batsman loves to see but rarely does. The dressing rooms are large, functional and smart enough but to some extent lacking in charm but we were glad of their use after rumours proliferated that they would be out of bounds. Our enjoyment of the tea provided was interrupted only by a league official requesting that we hurry up and shower as Saints needed our kit out of the way for the final. Harmit had a few terse words in response as he consumed an egg and cress neatly cut sandwich.  

Following the competitions’ first year in which the spirit of Twenty20 enveloped by the four finals day participants and beyond, it has to be rated as a success. The bowling restrictions really mean that the strongest all-round teams progress, free hits following no balls add to the excitement and white balls to the intrigue. To develop and make the Board20 a county competition, perhaps excluding overseas and professionals as they do in other areas might level the playing field further or even allowing coloured clothes in earlier rounds for those clubs so inclined may increase attraction. Overall with our appetites whetted and the coloured kit ready for action in the wardrobe, we go into next season ready for another shot at the Cup.