the 1999 season
copland, Chorlton Green's convener,
has demonstrated an extraordinary talent for picking the only rainy day
in several weeks of sunshine, and arranging to play a cricket match on
it.
the weather won 4 matches at least, Chorlton
Green has won 2 and the opposition 3.
Miners Arms
The last two defeats were comprehensive
-- one at Kerridge Cricket Club, where we played the Miners Arms from Poynton.
The setting was idyllic -- rolling hills, a country lane, and The Lord
Clyde as the picturesque local hostelry. Spectators seemed to enjoy their
day out, presumably they were too busy drinking to notice the quality of
cricket. Our abject fielding display, a tableau of aged players wilting
in extreme temperatures, was soon matched by a rapid batting collapse.
But Steve Carr, our star batsman, who was out after only three scoring
shots, left the field smiling, knowing he "looks good in whites". The disappointment
was soon forgotten as we were overwhelmed by tablefulls of food back at
the Miners. We look forward to this being an annual fixture. Nice people
there, and wonderful hospitality.
The Potters
For the second time this season,
we played them and lost. This time, at their ground and with incredible
ease. I think we were all out for 38 (the scorebook's gone missing). They
got the runs quite quickly without loss, and so retain the Eddie Charlton
Memorial trophy. Until next season. The picture is of Richard enduring
his punishment for taking the field with a pint in his hand, and then complaining
that the rest of us under-performed.
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copland
The Players
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Harry Pardoe
1923-1999
Old Harry badgered us into using
Chorlton CC for most our games, and plagued us with football cards to earn
money for his precious club. It's only when someone dies that you appreciate
them, and find out about them.
English cricket relies on
people like Harry, selflessly working away to keep his club viable -- fund-raising,
recruiting, advertising, accounting...
Rev Malcolm Lorimer, cricket
writer etc, took the funeral service. I learned more about Harry's life.
Manchester Grammar, then many RAF missions as a bomb aimer. After the war,
played as a defender for Whalley Range FC, of which he was President when
he died, and was cricket captain at Didsbury CC, before moving to Chorlton
CC. He became President at Chorlton and was also hon. sec. of the Lancashire
and Cheshire Cricket Society and was known by league cricket people all
over the country. The day before he died, he watched Lancashire win at
Derby, where he was centre of attention as many old friends came to speak
to him.
On the day he died, he saw
Chorlton win, and was bubbling with excitement about that, as usual. One
of the last to leave the club that night, he went up the steps to turn
off the lights.
Didsbury CC
We finished the season with
an 18 over match against most illustrious, Cheshire League opponents. On
the Sunday before, 11 players declared their availability, so Sicknote
Smith was relieved that he would not be required, having spent some enjoyable
hours each week under the osteopath. In the event, only 6 turned up for
the evening thrash.
Bagsey: It rained where
I was so I volunteered for overtime instead.
Richard: I'm talking
to this bloke
Gareth: They went without
me
Steve (captain): Never
seen since
So we borrowed Nafeez from
Monton, copland rose from his deathbed and David Nelson was restored to
the captaincy. We kept them to 118 for 3, with Keith Jones keeping well
and David, Duncan and Johns Lindon and Firth all bowling well. copland
creaked through 2 expensive overs.
In reply, Nafeez and copland
opened. Nafeez scored a rapid 31, copland a slow 23. Jones and Foster provided
our traditional middle-order amphibious birds, before Duncan and John Lindon
played into the night. In the light of the Wilmslow Road streetlamps, John
crashed a decisive 35, before scrambling a bye off the last ball to clinch
victory. |