01/09/02: One win, two draws and a fixture disaster were the cricketing outcome of a successful West Country Tour.
The tour began
in exemplary fashion as the participants gathered under a baking sun at Uplyme,
where Geoff Samuels sensibly won the toss and elected to bat.
This was the cue for Tom Carter to rack up a best-ever score for the OLCC of 89 not out, featuring a beefy six into the adjacent tennis court, and with help from Mike Thomas (48) and Dominic Beer (26*) the visitors posted an impressive 205-2 declared off just 26 overs.
Uplyme & Lyme Regis looked set to challenge that total on 135-2 but some fine bowling from Geoff Samuels and Thomas opened up the lower order, with jolly juniors Daniel Malcolm (3-10) and Josh Beer (1-7) mopping up the tail to give the OLs a 45-run win.
A similarly glorious day greeted the touring party on their arrival at Sherborne on Wednesday, but unfortunately not an opposition team, leaving the OLs to play French cricket in the outfield and digest the previous night's Lyme Regis curry.
The evening saw the first ever Brain of Dorset quiz won by Tom Gillmor (with help from Melissa), but Gillmor's joy turned to despair within moments as he lost out in the run-off against the reigning Brain of Somerset (Phil Samuels) and missed out on the Undisputed Brain of Wessex prize.
Simon 'Granny' Best did his, er, best to drown Gillmor's sorrows for him, drinking his way to a night of stomach trouble his room-mate Jon Shingles is unlikely ever to forget.
It was thus a very ashen-faced Granny that turned up at Axminster the next morning where he was no doubt relieved to hear the Wessex Stags win the toss and elect to field.
David Pollard controversially refused to walk second ball and went on to make 44, while opening partner Jonny Shingles made 24 before lolloping a soft catch to cover point.
But Ed Carter was determined to match his brother's efforts at Uplyme and batted superbly - striking one magnificent six onto the pavilion roof - to make 73. Captain Phil Samuels added a rapid 52 before declaring the OLCC innings on 242 for four declared.
Julian Shackel made the perfect start by bowling Allen with his first ball, and Geoff Samuels' slower ball did for Fernley to leave the hosts in 29-2.
But a magnificent partnership of 151 between Batey and Head then swung the game decisively in the Stags' favour, and it was only when the former went lbw to an impassioned Shingles for 87 that the OLCC got back in the game.
Shingles went on to take three wickets as the Stags were gradually pegged back, and they finally came to rest on 232-8 so the OLCC maintained their unbeaten record against Dick Richards' side.
Thursday night saw a slap-up fish & chip supper on the Cobb accompanied by fireworks for all but Graham Carter - who was still having trouble ordering plaice - and a few more drinks on the stagger up the hill back to the hotel.
The OLs then transferred to North Somerset for the final fixture of the tour, and found in Ditcheat an excellent pub in the Manor House Inn and a Compton Dundon-esque field for their first ever game against the villagers.
The hosts took first use of the strip and helped themselves to 193 all out - believed to be some sort of local record - with Tom Carter leading the wicket-taking with 3-28.
In reply, Tom Gillmor made a rapid 36 before being run out by opening partner Graham Carter, who made 16. Mike Thomas led the charge with 53, before passing the baton to Jonny Shingles (25) and Tom Carter (38*).
However the tourists dropped short of victory by just one run, closing on 193-5 to ensure a respectable draw.
The tour concluded at the Manor House Inn, where our hosts kindly laid on an excellent barbecue that was thoroughly enjoyed by all.
The Tortoiseless Trophy went jointly to Graham, Edward and Thomas Carter for a fine team performance of buffoonery on the cricket field - whether it was umpiring, bowling, fielding or batting.
Junior Joker was won by tour debutant Daniel Malcolm for taking three wickets to make bowling look easy at Uplyme and always appearing to be first in the queue for food.
The Camp Follower was Melissa for the second year running, having beaten off stiff competition from Vicki and Kate to retain her crown.
The runner-up in the Tour Joker stakes was Jonny Shingles, whose constant badger explosions were a source of amusement and illness to many, as well as his inability to organise a game of cricket at Sherborne.
But the 2002 Tour Joker was something of a no-brainer as Simon 'Granny' Best scooped the gong for his inability to hold his drink and subsequent refusal to touch another drop for nearly 48 hours. His pallid appearance at Axminster won him extra points, while his bowling (nine overs for 76 runs) certainly brought back the crowds to Test cricket.
Michael Thomas closed the tour by thanking all for attending, and it was agreed by those present that he had done an excellent job.
— Exclusive West Country Tour pictures will appear on this website soon.
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