Weather is an unusually common topic of conversation in England. I assume that it is normally a miserable theme. Intriguingly even in uncommonly fine weather the tendency is still to bemoan the climate. One gentleman who owns ‘The Royal Swimmers’ which is a trout farm was complaining that sunny climes means the water is too clear and the trout can see the fishermen. Go figure. Another of the landed gentry feels that he can’t find his range when trying to shoot pheasants on his estate unless the sky is murky grey. Oh really.
Another super day met us as we took on the oldest of cricket schools. Toss won we threw a few of the young guns up top and we were quickly 3 for 20. James and Peter steadied. Peter’s recovery from the sniper’s attack was impressive. James mixed attack with some luck. Just as he was hitting his straps James fell at cover. Harry hit a 6 and then was brilliantly caught at slip. Zac and Peter staged a mini revival but Peter’s demise meant we were in trouble. Enter Lachie. These two put on 155 and both trout and pheasant farmers were suitably chuffed. Lunch was pasta and for coaches it was complemented with Merlot. Mmm.
Lachie and Zac pummelled the Etonians after lunch both bringing up their first half centuries at Eton after several near misses and Will finished it off in style. Defending 257 gave us confidence. Too much confidence. H was a little short and Jono a little full and Eton were ahead of the rate and gaining momentum. Nick and Tom combined to stop the rot. James and Harry took a wicket each and at tea the game was even. The Eton boys batted well after tea. Great running the feature. Will bowled well but The Trebujet had lost his range finder. A wicket to Will helped us steady.
The game reached a pivotal point when Harry took a deep breath and introduced Zac and Jono. Jono was terrific but no wickets came his way. Zac is having a golden English summer and took 2 crucial wickets. The runs kept coming but we kept taking wickets. Great catches were taken by O lane and Fraser and with run outs to Willis and Nichols we were in sight of victory. Harry and Tom combined to finish it off. As coach I was very proud as it was my first win against Eton after many years of trying. They even gave me an honorary cap. On closer inspection there was some money in the lining and an offer of work at the timeless college. Food for thought I guess. Speaking of food we had a BBQ after the match and they made us drink Fosters Lager. Oh well.
NB; We have some lovely English names for towns in Tasmania. Campbell Town Georgetown Evandale etc… Did you know that the closest town to Eton is a place called Asparagus. Incongruous I thought.
D. Green – Coach of The Hutchins XI (for now anyway)