Sundown Specials

Specials fall short in massive run chase on tour
Shortly before 11pm on Sunday 28th August, the Specials conceded defeat in their annual tour match on the Wirral against Upton. The late concession was similar to Al Gore's decision in the 2000 presidential elections against George Bush.

Upton's teenage scorer Charlotte was finding the pressure too much, with the constant distraction of local scallies but we settled on a gallant 11 run defeat in the traditional 40 over match.

For once there was no pre-match selection drama, with the usual touring stalwarts + guest scallies. Barry Cosgrove and I started the tour by watching the Terriers of Huddersfield beat the monkey hangers of Hartlepool 2-1 before sampling the nightlife of Harrogate with former Sundowner (two appearances in 1988) Jez Haw. Cosgrove and I both secured membership to the prestigious Parliament Gentleman's Club in Harrogate.

After a pleasant drive across the moors, we linked up with our team-mates who were keeping a close eye on proceedings at Trent Bridge. Upton won the toss and decided to bat. As usual our bowling resources were slim with Clive Moore and myself opening the bowling. Clive made an early breakthrough. The match followed its usual format with Ian Sharrock getting his 50.

Change bowlers Graham McGowan and Tony Medlock kept it tight, particularly McGowan playing his first game of the season after a bad injury. He got the dangerous Sharrock out for 54 well caught by Mark Naisbitt whilst Tony removed skipper Dave Potter. Mark Naisbitt came on and took a tremendous return catch to get rid off Kelly whilst Ferdenzi trapped Shenton lbw.

At 114-5 we were in the game but our usual tormentor Darren 'Warbo' Warburton and a very powerful Dave Clark put on 100+ before Mark 'Bill' Billing took a good catch on the boundary to remove Clark off the bowling of Herlihy for 71.

Warbo was not out on 63 and Upton finished on 245 (later reduced to 240 for 6) off their 40 overs. Herlihy had the misfortune to see three dropped catches - two of them on the boundary which were then pushed for 6 by Bill and PF respectively. The last eight overs took the game away from us.

After a pleasant tea Vernon and Herlihy took to the field against the background of dramatic events at Trent Bridge. We took the score to 32 before V missed a good one from Kamal. With Graham McGowan we took the score to 68 before I was bowled by Nick Rivett for 29.

This sparked an impromptu break from our match to watch Hoggy and Gilo in the last 20 minutes beating the Aussies. England's win went to Clive Moore's head as he holed out to Warbo for 0 - McGowan soon followed.

Cosgrove and Billing took us to 105 before Barry went for 18. The ultra slow bowling of Potter was introduced with Warbo at the other end, Bill and Mick McGowan started to move the score along and put on an excellent 100 before Mick was caught for 68. We needed over 10 an over for the last 15 and despite Bill's 37, Tony and PF had to hit out and get out whilst there was time for Alex Boggia to hit a few nice shots. We fell short at 229-9 - a creditable effort.

The real action of course followed in the bbq/karaoke session in the evening.

I presented the Joe Haranoff trophy to Nick Rivetts and in the raffle won a DVD. The karaoke produced some fine performances from a couple of Upton women. The specials flag was flown by V with a very emotional version of the Green Green Grass of Home which moved quite a few of the women in the house including his wife Rachel.

I decided to keep it upbeat and re-wind the crowd this year with a version of Club Tropicana dedicated to all the 'chavs' in the house. Team-mates thought that it was an inclusive version but suffered technically due to my voice being strained following volleys of abuse at the fieldsmen who dropped the catches off my bowling earlier in the day.

Cosgrove finally made it back to the hotel at 3am but, as is traditional, found it difficult to locate the toilet in his hotel room much to the annoyance of room mate Ferdenzi. Fortunately the night porter was on hand to redirect the said Yorkshire man back from the hotel foyer to the facility in room 209.

All in all the lads left the Wirrall with their heads held high and friendships with our tremendous hosts maintained.