Sundown Specials

Specials fall short against Upton but redeem themselves in post match party

The preparations for the annual tour match against Upton produced their customary difficulties. As usual we had no opening bowlers and the late withdrawal from the match by all rounder Clive' Brookside' Moore meant a last minute call up for Alex Boggia. 2003 marked the tenth anniversary of the tour to Liverpool and following the death of Joe Harounoff, a memorial trophy had been purchased from Lord's for the two teams to compete for.

The team gathered on Sunday lunchtime for a late breakfast at Mum and Dad McGowan on Sunday and some constructive analysis of England's failings against South Africa. Mick McGowan was particularly annoying switching over to catch the Everton goals despite seeing them the night before.

Preparations were however further hindered when a message was received from Alex Boggia that his car had broken down and he would be late. The time of the message was 1.50 pm and he was in Cardiff. The 10 tourists took to the field.

After 3 wins on the trot against strong opposition, this would be another test for the Specials against the strongest batting side we face. In the absence of Pilgrim, Cattell and Tailor, a new ball attack of Graham McGowan, myself and Paul Ferdenzi stepped up to the plate in this 40 over encounter.

The fixture followed its usual pattern. I won the toss, inserted the Scousers and two and a half hours later Upton were 234 all out, which was a very testing score on a slower than usual Wirral pitch. McGowan and Ferdenzi were the pick of the bowlers, the former taking 5 wickets against his Saturday team mates and the latter wondering why he gave the game up for 12 years, this has been an impressive season for PF.

Obviously upset at being dropped from the first team, and not bowling or batting for Upton 2s the day before, the youngest brother of the McGowan cricketing family was all smiles as he left the field at tea time. The total should have been a lot less if a clear stumping by Mick McGowan against Chris Camden who top scored had not been missed by Upton skipper John Winder who was not watching at the time and a 50 partnership for the last wicket.

Nevertheless we bowled and fielded well and there were excellent catches by Ferdenzi and the two McGowans. Cosgrove and M Naisbitt were responsible for some misfields blaming the lush outfield!

In response we fell short. Most batsmen got in and got themselves out trying to find the short boundary. Mark 'Bill' Billing got a duck and also when fielding palmed the ball over the boundary for 6. His game seemed to deteriorate after I mentioned to him the recent Cilla Black burglary in Buckinghamshire.

At 153 for 9 with a tentative Graham McGowan back in the hutch the game was up as Alex who had arrived from Wales at 5.15 was too tired to bat.. Upton had bagged the Joe Harounoff trophy (a piece of the sacred turf from Lords in a glass container plus certificate from the MCC) which I presented to Johnny Winder in the club house.

There followed an excellent BBQand disco/karaoke. Highlights being Steve Golding's Mack the Knife, Andy V's Green Green Grass of home and a live performance of All my Loving in an ironic style by Ivan Naisbitt who arrived at the end of the game and just happened to have brought his guitar with him. Unfortunately a strange duet with Golds of Storm in a Teacup didn't quite hit the target and did not impress the elder Naisbitt who was still upset by the stumping not given.

Once again the lads had drunk back the fixture. A very emotional Andy Vernon paid tribute to the guy who taught him cricket and presumably responsible for the very poor off drive which caused his dismissal earlier in the day. Upton's 11th man finally showed up around 10pm (he had been clubbing until 7.30 am) and was soon back on the pop and on the karaoke.

With the traditional Bank Holiday Beatles festival in front of them, the sight of the younger scallies whipping of their shirts and dancing as if they were in Manchester drew a close to the night. Another tour game over and long may the contest continue.

A big shout to the McGowan household and Upton CC for their hospitality and young Rachel for scoring (it costs us a tenner-she was knocked down from £15). Should keep her in alcopops for a while.

Remember in the 21st Century it is the survival of the slickest not the fittest. Let your life speak.