Evening Escapades: North Hampshire Evening League

The geography of club cricket. In some respects, similar to the geography of club golf in that both pastimes take one to places and locales that one wouldn’t necessarily visit in everyday life. Such is the communications network from the south coast that journeys due north almost always head up the M3 towards London or...

Anomaly Part Four

Thirty-odd miles to the south-west of Basingstoke (see Anomaly Part Three) and equivalents to the Guy Jewell Cup have similarly been taking place for many a summer. Once again there are loose geographical criteria but the historical connections are as much part of the tapestry as any location driven conditions. Leagues and competitions are, more...

Anomaly Part Three

For the Border League and the MCC Young Cricketers (see https://yahooovercowcorner.wordpress.com/2018/06/07/anomaly/ and https://yahooovercowcorner.wordpress.com/2018/07/05/anomaly-part-two/) one could also add the Guy Jewell Cup. Leagues and competitions are, more often than not, formed on geographical bases, particularly the further towards the hackneyed grass roots that one travels. Some possess historical resonance that, in the modern climate of more...

Enjoy the Silence

Few people would disagree with the assertion that the past year and a bit has produced very little positivity. One doesn’t need to delve into the details, everyone has been affected in some way, no matter how large or small. One development has proved particularly positive and beneficial though. Almost through accident, society has re-discovered...

More Musings on Spectating

Spectating can be a simple business. People attend sporting contests to see the best players; they enjoy watching the stars. Such a concept is understandable; in some respects spectating is an extension of ourselves, our desires and wishes to see great exploits, performances and achievements that we cannot produce ourselves. On many occasions spectating is...

Eventide

The first signs of twilight begin to envelope the golden, sun drenched landscape. A temperate zephyr tousles and caresses the tips of the surrounding trees. Fifteen figures sashay around a neatly cut patch of sward. Time is very much of the essence. Natural luminosity continues its slow march towards its conclusion. No time for meandering...

In the Shadows Part Three

Remember Trevor Chappell? For those of a certain age or of a certain cricket badgeriness the name will always resonate regarding a certain underarm bowling incident at the denouement of a one-day international against New Zealand. Without such an incident the youngest of the three Chappell siblings would likely be little more than a footnote...

Vista Reprised

The power and influence of the internet can be felt and seen in a variety of different ways. The constant churn of information and updates dictate that people and places can be launched into the mainstream in manners and ways that were simply not possible for previous generations. As that famous advert for a Canon...

Vista

Stood on the macadam of the Tilford Road one can enjoy the view. It is a view that has adorned at least two books, countless photographs, various advertisements, a television program, a German documentary, many an internet article, a recent cover of The Cricketer magazine and has even featured in a film. The view is instantly recognisable....

In the Shadows Part Two

Mention the name Stansted and almost every person that one is conversing with will assume that said mention is referring to the airport situated near the eponymous village some forty odd miles northeast of central London. For a few the name conjures much different connotations though. Add the word ‘Park’ onto Stansted and the reference...