Having been unable to make the first outground match of the season at Uxbridge, this would be the first of the season for the middlelegless lot and it would be one of our favourites; the wonderful old deer park in Richmond.
For E it was a half day in the office then a quick journey along the M4 to drop the car at home and meet T and N. It was then onto the train to Richmond where T and N both fell asleep for different reasons, leaving E to wake them both shortly before Richmond. The train pulled into Richmond shortly before 3, leaving us ample time to visit some licensed premises before the 5:30 start.
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| We've Arrived |
First up was the aptly named cricketers on Richmond green. This pub was a must for any cricket fan with walls adorned with cricketing memorabilia from many years ago. The middlegless lot became intrigued by an old photo of lords showing the old warner stand. A collection of old bats was also of particular interest.
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| Pub number 1 |
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| Fascinating |
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| Old magazines |
After the first pint of cider for T, pint of Estrella for E and coke for N and a natter about the evenings match and our surroundings, it was off to pub number 2, the sun inn. This pub consisted of a wonderful old wooden bar in the middle of the pub and walls adorned with rugby memorabilia. E stuck to form here and ordered a pint of Fosters with T sticking with cider and N opting for wine. A quality conversation then ensued as to who came up with the measure of a pint. T was far more interested in the golf on the TV to participate in this discussion (probably best for his sanity) Following this pub we made the short walk down the road to old deer park sending E along ahead to secure front row seats.
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| Pub number 2 |
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| Fantastic old bar |
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| What is this strange game? |
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| True to form |
N and T joined E shortly afterwards in the seats at square leg and T headed off to the bar to purchase refreshments for the match. With Kent winning the toss and electing to bowl first (something all of middlegless would have done too) discussion turned to what would be a good score. E went for 175, T for 165 and N for 230. We were all disappointed to see the kew gardens pagoda covered up (if anyone knows of any other ground with a pagoda end, we'd love to here it).
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| Covered Up |
Team: McCullum, Finn, Franklin, Helm, Higgins, Malan, Morgan, Patel, Roland-Jones, Simpson, Southee, Sowter, Stirling
The game began with the middle getting off to a good start with a knock of 88 from McCullum and 33 from Malan making a partnership of 92 of 10 overs before Malan fell. Following the wicket of McCullum a mini collapse ensued (again!) leaving the middle defend a total of 179-8 (E was closest) which all thought was a decent score on a wicket which seemed to be doing a bit.
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| Seats at Square leg |
The Kent innings then began with Bell-Drummond falling lbw to Southee and Denly falling to a catch by Stirling of the bowling of Finn leaving kent at 2-2! Only Northeast and Neesham offered any real resistance as the middle restricted kent to 163-8 of 20 overs giving Middlesex the victory by 16 runs.
E found a balloon hat which he used to celebrate the victory much to the amusement of the rest of the group.
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| Celebrating |
Following the game it was off to a local Chinese restaurant to celebrate the victory and shortly after midnight it was into a taxi and back to HQ.
The group meets again for the second london derby of the season at the oval.
E
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