Wet, Wet, Wet

Wet, wet, wet, wet, wet, wet and very cold.

A dry morning brought the chance of a match been played against local rivals Church Fenton, but with half an our to go the rain started again. The already saturated Swan Croft couldn't take much more.

Just past the 1.30pm start time it faired up so it was decided to wait till 2.35pm and play a reduced 35 over per side game.

There was not much enthusiasm on either side to venture out but the toss was made and for the second week running Milford skipper Jonathan Mills won and this time decided to bat. Perhaps the prospect of standing fielding in 6 deg C temperatures wasn't appealing.

It was always going to be difficult for both batsmen and bowlers but when Milford opener Stuart Morley edged to first slip 5th ball it looked like starting the game had been a really bad decision.

That is Stuart's second duck in a row. The rumours of potential personal sponsorship from the China Palace, as Stuart is a man who obviously appreciates a duck, is currently untrue. Daughter Abigail's comment 'Dad that was cr*p' when he trudged back to the pavilion sum's it up.

Stuart was not to be alone as his replacement Dan White was soon back in the shed after also collecting a duck. Greg Handley at the other end must have been wondering what was going on.

Adam Kinghorn was next in and he and Greg finally got the Milford score moving, but the rain returned. Half way through the 6th over it was becoming very heavy and the umpires met to discuss the conditions. For some reason they decided to see the over out, whether this led to Adam loosing concentration I don't know but he was bowled next ball and the umpires decided to come in.

We then all waited and waited for things to improve but the wicket had all the water it could take and was doing a good impression of a pond. So Jonathan Mills excellent tea was unpacked and everybody tucked in.

After tea it was decided to call it a day.

Today was remarkable for been the first time both cricket and football had been played at the Swan Croft at the same time. South Milford FC playing a match on the new pitch. Second team batter Alistair Last was in goals for Milford, but while I was watching let in 2 goals. Time to take up cricket again Alistair.....

Typically as I cycled home the cloud lifted and as I folded up my waterproof at home the sun was peaking out....