CLEVEDON v SOM, Clevedon, 24th August 2007

Firstly, what a fantastic day yesterday (Som v Dur NWP40 Thu 23rd Aug 2007), beating the one-day champs in fine style with a marvellous second spell from our masterful Andrew Richard Caddick. There is that air in the field when things look a tad bleak from a spectators point of view that hope is not lost - a few more supps, a few more shouts of encouragement, and the thought that where there's a Thatcher's, there's a way. Magnificent.

Now to the Clevedon bit.

Ah yes, Clevedon, with its restored pier, oldest picture house, and finest views stretching across to the industries of Wales, the carbon footprints from Lulsgate, and the rolling mendips where Julie Andrews once warbled something about Addled Vice (or was that Professor Plum(mer), in the Conservative Club, with the revolver). I digress.

We knew the seconds were at North Perrott, so who was the leading wicket-taker in England going to bring with him to one of the finest stopping points for the Waverley in the Bristol Channel? Sarcastic banter was swapped between this particular Tractor Driver and Mr P.S.Jones that it was disappointing some of the first team regulars hadn't made the arduous journey north, but there was the sharp response that the team knew they were not going to play in front of the first division of supporters! Alongside Jonesy (and next to, but not at, the burger bar) were, Kieswetter, Edwards, Trego, Durston, Suppiah, Hildreth, and Caddick. It wasn't until the game started that the crowd were also priviliged to see England's no.1 opener Banger Trescothick.

It was twenty20, loud-ish music (an absolute necessity otherwise how could the crowd possibly know when a boundary had been scored or a wicket taken) and a very helpful bit of commentary, which should perhaps have been performed by Blowers remarking on planes landing and taking off every 5 minutes.

Someone won the toss and Somerset batted first in front of a capacity crowd (much bigger than that attending the international at the picturesque Ex-Sun Life ground at quaint little Bristol this evening). Kieswetter and Suppiah opened, and that's all you need to know really - sixes smashed all over the shop, Kieswetter out first for a very fine 433 off about 20 deliveries (okay I lie, it was actually 17 deliveries). Arul hung around quite a bit longer, his 654 coming off 19 deliveries. Banger went in first wicket down, and was told NOT to hit the ball too hard on the leg side from the Dial Hill Road end (named after a road in the near vicinity I believe), so was out caught on the boundary not hitting the ball hard enough. Further contributions from Trego, Durston and an interesting cameo from Jones the batter, undefeated at the end after peppering the swings area in the far corner of the ground (mis-interpreting the 'kids for a quid' offer perhaps). I understand the final tally was about 280 odd for some wickets to our Somerset heroes (couldn't support Clevedon, I didn't know any of 'em).

Somerset then took the field with 2 Clevedon fielders - how hurt was I not to be asked to field for my team? Not very. A couple of Westons' Stowford Press followed up with a few Thatcher's Traditional - I knew my role in this production. That man Caddick opened the bowling and couldn't resist showing the England selectors just what they were missing out on, and perhaps making a statement that when his Somerset days come to a close in about 10 years he might still don the Clevedon colours (yes it was coloured clothing and Clevedon seemed to be wearing cast-off Gloucester blues, an absolute disgrace). Trego opened at the Castlewood Close end (named after another road in the near vicinity I believe), and the Clevedon runrate crawled along. The chap behind the stumps did okay, but that's what you'd expect from one such as Craig. Hang on a sec, that aint Craig; of course, it's our other wicket keeper. No, not Gazzo, nor Spurs (aside, very sorry to read of his announced release from SCCC), but Neil Edwards! Apart from his standing up to the sheer pace of Suppiah and Durston (who were probably the quickest of all the bowlers), Neil's most telling contribution was from the bowling of Kieswetter - no offence to either 'keeper Edwards nor bowler Kieswetter, but don't give up the day jobs chaps! Our Craig thought he was gonna grab a wicket; the ball had been skied straight up in the air just behind the batsman. It was either Edwardo or Trego the slip to bag the baby, but which one? With snow on the ball it was heading Pete's way, sure to be taken, but at the last second Edwards poked sharply at Trego's midrift just before the gentle landing of the leather between the two of them. Kieswetter, not amused at the miss, took his anger out on the batsman with a 20 mph missile which, had it pitched, would surely have reddened the ankle of the Clevedon batter. Jones chipped in with some of his over-arm deliveries off his longer 2 yard run-up which Taunton hasn't seen before (the run-up rather than the over-arm bit). With the odd boundary here and there and a few 'sloppy misses' in the field, all too soon the final over was upon us to be bowled by none other than, yes you've guessed it, Willoughby; except that Willoughby wasn't there so you guessed wrong; it was actually our Cads with a very defensive field. Just 9 slips (okay it might have been 8 and 1 gully, or 7 and ... you get the picture). Remember, 2 of those slips (or gullies) were of the Clevedon variety, and one ball that actually found the edge found one of those slips, who incredibly spilled the chance (although I must say that earlier in the day one of the Clevedon fielders for Somerset actually caught his own chap - I wonder what the cider-buying etiquette is for such a dismissal - batter or fielder?) There you have it.

A fine evening was had by all, ALL Somerset players stopped for autographs and none of them consumed a single alcoholic beverage nor a fatty beefburger (obviously following my example). The score? Haven't a clue, although I suspect Somerset won, or maybe they didn't. This was twenty20 at its very best.

Perhaps Clevedon could resume hosting 2nd XI matches.