Specials recover self esteem on 2002 tour

Steve Golding's response to his critics about his personal life was emphatic on the opening game of the 2002 tour against Horncastle in Lincolnshire on Friday 23rd August.

Golds hit 73 as Sundowners cruised to 164 for three with six overs to spare after being set 163 to win in 35 overs by the home team skippered by Pete Medlock (Our own Medlock's brother).

The preparations for the game were not ideal. Mark Naisbitt pulled out of the game a matter of hours before the start citing a knee injury.

He stayed most of the afternoon in his hotel room watching the test match, but no doubt fondly reminiscing of all the divorcees he entertained at the club's summer disco. Fortunately Paul Cook guested for us and made a significant contribution.

In the absence of Cattell/Pilgrim, Tailor and Herlihy took the new ball for the first time together in 20 years and made a good tight start with only 26 runs conceded in the first eight overs - Herlihy grabbing a wicket with his first ball.

Cook turned the game with two wickets and four catches, but it was the introduction of Barry Cosgrove on his first appearance of the season that caught the eye.

This loveable, albeit grumpy, old Yorkshire goat delivered a mixture of offies and drifters that stifled their middle order and he deserved more than one wicket. Only some heavy hitting from Devereux (70 no) and Burn (25no) helped Horncastle set a decent score.

Sundowners were on top thanks to an opening stand of 93 by Vernon (36) and the impressive hard hitting Golds (73) and victory was achieved losing only three wickets - including Alex Boggia for a duck. Cook and Medlock seeing us home and picking up the challenge trophy. This was our first victory in seven games.

A job well done, the team watched India's onslaught on Caddyshack and Tudor on the Friday evening before decamping to the Crown, where Horncastle laid on a tremendous curry spread for us.

The rest of the evening was spent watching Chelsea/United, slightly aggravated by our two Evertonians blinkered comments, some competitive pool where Barry Cosgrove's star is clearly on the wane and plenty of beer being drunk in proper pubs. No café lattes in this part of the world !

The tour moved on to Liverpool with four of the team helping Upton III's win their league match. The standard night in Liverpool followed. Some mature structured drinking in Mchales - where the resident DJ brought the house down by playing Black Lace's' We're having a Gang Bang' and the team were the youngest there.

It was then on to the Cabin nightclub where a good time was had by all, ogling the Liverpool totty interspersed with some social networking with the locals. Unfortunately after chucking out time the majority wanted to have a late night curry and we witnessed Graham McGowan swapping numerous text messages with what we assumed was a female companion.

Really Graham's energies should be directed at his very fit looking boss at the Royal Sun Alliance, who came to the Cabin, and where he could really secure his future in more ways than one.

After a hearty breakfast at Mum and Dad McGowan's on Sunday the annual fixture against a stronger than normal Upton team followed its usual pattern. They got over 220 and Barry got hammered for 28 in one over.

Some comical drops by Medlock and M McGowan didn't help matters. Former Brookside actor Clive Moore was the pick of our bowlers.

Sundowners went out to bat with five scousers in the team and within minutes Vernon was back in the hutch for a duck. After a promising stand between Golding and Herlihy, wickets fell regularly but we managed to hold out for a draw at 157 for 8 thanks to Graham McGowan and Dave Reed. Golds top scored again.

Upton laid on an excellent barbecue and disco, which went on into the early hours - the fixture for next year secured by healthy bar profits.

The Sundowners entourage was boosted by the arrival of the partners of several team members and it was good to see Joe Hauronoff and Ivan Naisbitt entering the spirit of the evening. Young Jack Reed also did well playing all afternoon with an assortment of scallies and lasting well into the night. His consumption of five breakfasts the next day was a bit over the top though.

There was a poignant moment on the Monday morning as Barry and I set off for home - with Barry very under the weather. As we were about to pull off from the hotel car park, Mark made a last minute case to Barry that 12 hours drinking in Liverpool with brother Ivan and other beerheads listening to Beatles tribute bands was a much more constructive use of the day.

Barry decamped from the motor and it was game on for the little fella.

Marvellous isn't it.

It's back to the bread and butter next week with Black Rose and Andre's big hitting.

© Mike Herlihy 2002