BARBADOS 2009
by DICK BATCHELOR
A party of 37 tourists enjoyed a fun filled two weeks when the Seniors participated in the Gullivers 8th International Seniors’ Cricket Festival 8-23 November on the holiday island of Barbados.
In addition to Hampshire, there were 5 other teams participating - Berkshire, Ontario, Trinidad & Tobago Masters, Trinidad & Tobago Seniors & Barbados/Brobdingnagians (see Gullivers Travels).
Leaving behind the grey & gloom of the UK, the Seniors had a day to acclimatise before facing the Isolation Cavaliers, who reached the final of the Barbados Intermediate Cup played at the Kensington Oval, in a “warm up” fixture at the KMC Oval. Packed with youth, the Isolation Cavaliers racked up 252-5 from 35 overs (Veteran bowler T Wharton 2-41 including a sharp c&b and a stumping from debut ‘keeper Roger Goodridge). In reply the Seniors could only manage 164-5 (A Yorke 44*).
In appreciation of the hospitality of our hosts B$300 was raised for the club towards the provision of covers for the wicket at Isolation.
This match set the trend for the tour where skipper Ian Britton failed to win a single toss and the Seniors were invited to field on each occasion. It became evident throughout the tour that fielding first in hot humid conditions was to have a detrimental effect on the Seniors batters & so it proved.
FESTIVAL
Match 1 vs Trinidad & Tobago Seniors at Empire – Wed 11 November.
Trinidad Seniors186-9 (P Doust 4-32)
Hampshire 182 all out (P Doust 41, G Owen 33)
Trinidad won by 4 runs
Man of the Match - Pete Doust
A thrilling encounter with two partisan sets of supporters fully involved. After an excellent fight back, the Seniors were dismissed off the penultimate ball when Stan (the Legend) Rudder was well caught on the boundary attempting to hit a six for victory.
Match 2 vs Trinidad & Tobago Masters at Hoyte Village – Fri 13 November
Trinidad Masters106-9 off 31 overs rain reduced (P Doust 5-20)
Hampshire 96-3 of 22.2 overs reduced target
Hampshire won by 7 wickets
Man of the Match – Pete Doust
A comfortable victory for the Seniors with Pete Doust again excelling with the ball & backed up by top order fielding – Andy Yorke 3 catches & Jan Bridle 3 stumpings.
Match 3 vs Barbados at North Star – Mon 16 November
Barbados 181-8
Hampshire 57 all out off 20.2 overs
Barbados won by 124 runs
Team selection had been affected to accommodate players who were deprived of a game the previous day when a proposed friendly fixture had been rained off but nevertheless this was an embarrassing pasting for the Seniors with only two batsmen creeping into double figures. A shame considering Bajan exile Stan Rudder was skipper for the day. A performance best forgotten!!
Match 4 vs Trinidad & Tobago Seniors at Briar Hall – Wed 18 November
Trinidad Seniors 149-9 (D Elliott 3-24, C Wood 3-24, A Yorke 2-11)
Hampshire 124 all out off 33.5 overs
The fixture list dictated a repeat fixture against the Trinidad Seniors with the same result.
A decent bowling performance but again the Seniors batsmen were unable to make an impact – not one scored a 50 throughout the Festival!
Festival Big Match
UK/Canada X1 vs West Indies X1 at the Kensington Oval – Fri 20 November
UK/Canada X1 145-7 off 27.1 overs (I Britton 31) – rain curtailed innings.
West Indies X1 139-9 (P Doust 6-26)
D/L adjusted target 157
UK/Canada won by 18 runs
Man of the Match – Pete Doust
This game was the highlight of the tour played at home of West Indies Test cricket. Hampshire were represented by Geoff Prouton (Manager), Geoff Owen, Ian Britton, Andy Yorke, Pete Doust, Chris Wheeler (sub), Dick Batchelor (scorer) & Tony Wharton (P/A announcer).
Hampshire batters Geoff Owen (15) & Ian Britton (31) made useful contributions as UK/Canada won the toss & elected to bat. In reply the West Indies looked to be romping to victory until Pete Doust was introduced into the attack. Once again his gentle bowling mesmerised the Caribbean batsmen & he finished with the outstanding analysis 6-0-26-6.
Andy Yorke bowled economically 7-0-22-1 & tour virgin Chris Wheeler, fielding as a substitute, took a catch in the outfield which would have graced any Test arena. Maybe the rum punch was a factor. A memorable day, especially for the Hampshire contingent!
At the post match function Pete Doust won the Festival bowling award & the best ‘keeper award went to Jan Bridle (6 victims) proving class is permanent!!
The whole party did their best to integrate into the Bajan culture, embracing the warm hospitality of their hosts, and taking full advantage of all Barbados has to offer.
The overall package provided by Gullivers Sports Travel was first class from inclusive entertainment, accommodation at the Amaryllis Beach Resort, excursions and providing the experience of playing in testing conditions at cricketing venues across the island.
Special thanks are due to tour organiser Geoff Prouton whose efforts were acknowledged at the end of tour dinner & fines master Pat Wickson who showed no mercy in imposing penalties for the slightest infringement thereby raising substantial funds for various causes.
The enjoyment of the tour was immediately brought into focus as we landed at Gatwick on Monday morning to sweeping rain, high winds & traffic jams on the M25.
We will all have many happy memories of the tour to recount & many will need no persuasion to return.
Dick Batchelor - Scorer |
