|
| British Blind Sport Primary Club National Knock-Out Final 1990 | ||
|
|
Taken from an article in "Participation" magazine Autumn 1990 Birmingham
Sports v White Rose Cricket Lovely Cricket (by Chris Lowe of the BBC) Another balmy July day. Nick Faldo was winning the Open, Somerset's Sough African opener Jimmy Cook was taking the Middlesex bowling apart at Uxbridge, Maddonna's monstrous minders were disturbing the tranquillity of Hyde Park, and in a quiet corner of Ealing, two teams of blind cricketers were battling it out in a spirit of of fierce competition and good humour. At stake was the championship - nothing less - and for me it was a thrill to watch it and a privilege to present the trophies at the end. As to the game itself, it really was one of those encounters that swung first one way and then the other. By five past two, Birmingham Sports had lost two wickets for 5 runs. Four hours later they crept home by three runs. Worthy winners… a worthy man oth the match for the partials in Alan Wetherly whose remarkable over the shoulder catch effectively clinched victory… a worthy man of the match for the totals in Mohamed Aslam who spent the final moments of the match squatting on his bat behind the scorers willing White rose on and demanding an update from the scorers virtually every ball. And a word about the losers. They fought like cats all the way and yet were able to hide their disappointment with smiles and promises to go one better next time. And a special word for two captains. Dave Sheridan, Birmingham Sports and Jonathan Prashar, White Rose. They both demonstrated the ability to lead… it is an ability not given to many both they led by example, with enthusiasm and with genuine concern for each member of his team. Occasionally, my eyes strayed across the Barclay Bank ground to a normal game of cricket in progress. Such a sight usually captivates me but not this time. The excitement, the commitment and the skill was there right in front of me. This was the game the crowd was watching. Perhaps next year the event could be promoted more in the local area - the players and everone involved deserve a bigger stage. And incidentally, how nice to see the lads from Metro. Someone was stealing their trophy… and they wanted to find out who so they could plan their campaign to recover it! And my abiding memory? It has to be the indefatigable Bernie. He was in friendly but firm control of everything… especially the number of portions of scampi required for dinner! Events like this cannot function without people like him. Forget St Andrews, forget Uxbridge, forget Hyde Park. This was real sport with real people and I would not have missed it for anything. Chris Lowe Grateful thanks must go to the following: Chris Lowe, a noted BBC Newsreader for both Radio and Television also a presenter of the Today Programme and a member of the Lord's Taverners for agreeing to present the trophies at this year's final and for the article above. It was obvious on the day and can be seen by the article that he enjoyed his day and we would be more than pleased to see him again. The players who put on such a splendid match in a most friendly and competitive spirit, a well fought game, commiserations to the losers and well done to the winners. We must not forget the Umpires, Bob Mockford and Damien Stone who did a sterling job of controlling the game particularly Damien who travelled from Oldham to return the same day, also to the scorer Peter Whitelock who with a smile and good spirit, kept all informed of the progress of the game. Johnny Dennis has been playing in Yorkshire for the last few months and was uncertain whether he would be able to attend this year. Like the trooper he is at two thirty and straight off the train he appeared. Thanks Johnny, it was much appreciated. To British Blind Sport, The Primary Club and the Lord's Taverners for their support of this event. Finally, to the Umpires and scorers who, during the season, gave so much of their spare time to allow us to fulfil our desire to play cricket. To the other members of the sub-committee for their support during the season, the wives and friends who supported, drove and generally helped us in our endeavours and to all blind cricketers and clubs with the wish for more games played in the spirit we saw during this final. Bernard
King (Chairman) The Path to the Final Preliminary Round Birmingham
Sports beat Northern Sports First Round Birmingham
Sports beat RNC Semi
Finals
|
|
|