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Pro

Posted : 01/02/2008 20:00

Subject : Tours

Having read Graham Borwells account of the two tours he went on reminds me that as Tour minute Secretary for 6 years I should recall some memories of the Ashford Cricket Club Tour to Worcester.To all you young members I should like to say Try and get a tour going again,whilst I accept that these days with league commitments and the stress of trying to keep ahead of the money thing it is more difficult than it was in the 60's 70's and 80's.Al the tours bring out a team bonding like no other and if you imagine boarding school with booze and sport that is it.
One instance that springs to mind was one night on the town with Derryl Eames,Julian Glenister and others we found our way into a cocktail bar where they had a great list of cocktails.The barkeeper said nobody had ever drunk 2 of these concoctions but being Ashford on tour we had 3.Needless to say we were very drunk and we went back to the Diglis to go to bed at around 2am.
The following day was the Match at Hagley,Julian Glenister could not see when we were invited to bat.For the first 6 overs he never touched a ball but saw it through and proceeded to get a 100.Perhaps the fact his old man was umpire helped but it is one innings I will never forget.
Speaking of Hagley I was asked to open the batting one year and Hagley had a pro playing David Banks(Warwickshire).He opened the bowling and after the first 3 overs he shouted down the wicket to me I'm putting bells in the ball so you know where it is,made no difference I went on to get 50 and win Bertie Palmer the Daily Sweep.Needless to say David became a friend of Ashford and turned out for us during the week.Touring can bring some lastinf reindships and I urge you all to try and put One together