I recall walking from the field of play, head bowed, bat under my arm, heading back to the pavilion, “sorry lad’s, missed a straight one”. I recall bowling a few full tosses that were ceremoniously launched over the boundary and into the next field, just missing the grazing cattle. I recall dropping a few “Dollies” in the outfield to the annoyance of my teammates. I recall keeping wicket and missing the ball that “nicked the edge” and as for the fumbling stumpings, where my gloves felt like Cymbals borrowed from the local brass band, well, they were just too many to mention.
But what I remember with a passion were the half centuries, scoring the winning runs, my three “Hat Tricks”, the leg side slip catch taken above my ankle, 26 dismissals in a season whilst keeping wicket. Sat on the grass with one of our cricket teas in hand. The fun bus to away games. The “Tours”. But above all, the people I have met, the men I have played alongside, and the lifelong friends that I have made during my near 40 years of Bath Hospitals Cricket.
On March 29th 2019 a meeting was convened at Oldfield Rugby Club in Bath. The reason for this, it became apparent that our playing strength and availability for the forth coming league season was somewhat fragile. A previous request for the players to place their availability against the league calendar, showed that from a response by 11 members, the availability for 18 games was averaged at 68%. We had to make our own “Brexit” decision on what should have been “Brexit” day for the whole country.
The “Old Guard” of B.H.C.C. were present and listened to the pros and cons of our existence as a “league” cricket side, and after much deliberation, it was decided to bring the boundary flags in for the final time.
The reasons for us reaching this decision are also shared with other such clubs in similar positions as ours, we are not unique in this situation. Since being given notice to leave our ground in 2002, as it was being developed for housing, we were fortunate that Prior Park School came to our rescue. We have enjoyed many happy seasons there, but with the demise of the North Somerset League, that then saw us return to the Wiltshire League (which we adored), we had to find 3 grounds in total to fulfil our fixtures, King Edwards and the Sulis Club being the others. We truly became Nomadic.
Modern day lifestyles, family and Individual commitments, for some, do not marry well with the demands of a day’s league cricket. It is fully understandable. Very little in life remains the same.
What happens now?
When the sawdust settles, we will have time to consider. Players may wish to continue to play in whatever format of the game and for whoever, some may take a sabbatical, some simply may hang up their boots?
A thought is to form an old players society, where we may organise the odd social event, a few friendly games of cricket, with maybe a tour. We have a summer to consider and reflect, and then decide. It may be the end as a league playing side at this present time, but as one member has written, “looking forward to the next chapter”.
This coming summer, on a certain day, will have not so many rays of sunshine as those summers’ past.

Phil Chant
Chairman
Bath Hospitals Cricket Club