The Shooting Stick
In June 1998 the Casuals were playing Wealdstone Corinthians on the Sunday of their Yorkshire tour at Shepley. Rupert, having played against them the previous day, came along to stand as umpire. As was his want, he perched at square leg on his shooting stick, panama hat on his head and pipe going nicely, a man clearly content with his lot and at ease with the world – but not for long!
Burgess is called upon to bowl – a slow long hop is seized upon by the batsman who smacks it violently to the leg side, the ball is like an exocet missile travelling at the speed of sound 2 feet off the ground, unerringly it takes out Rupe’s shooting stick and for a split second he is suspended in space before crashing to the ground. The players fall on the grass convulsed with laughter and it takes 10 minutes before order is restored and the game can continue.
Hyltons advice
Playing at Thongsbridge against the Penguins – Hylton runs in and bowls, the batsman gets there a little early and his intended straight drive becomes a ‘skier’ of immense proportions, standing at mid-on and directly under the ball is Jim Harris, looking nervous. As the ball reaches it’s zenith 60 feet in the air Hylton shouts probably the most useless piece of advice ever heard on a cricket ground – “take your time Jim”!
The West Indian All-rounder
It was during the tea interval of our tour game against Duncombe Park in the year 2000 when our skipper, Rod Kelly, was approached by his opposite number with an unusual request. “Collis King has turned up and wondered if he could have a bat for a couple of overs at the start of our innings, we won’t count his runs and we’ll forfeit the overs, are you ok with that? How could we refuse – to play against a legend – the stuff dreams are made of. In his short stay he hit xx sixes with such ease that it didn’t seem fair, particularly to Rupert and xxxxxx who were bowling at him.
Treacherous at Hilton
Hilton CC are a super club just outside Derby, sadly whenever we play there it always seems to be overcast and often wet. Typical of good hosts though, they are happy to play through a spot of drizzle without complaint and it was in such conditions that the following occurred. The average age of the Hilton team was about 18 but with one exception, a mature gentleman who was the first team umpire and who still enjoyed the occasional run out with the Sunday side. When he came out to bat at number 9, his tie holding up his well worn flannels and his plimsoles newly whitened, the pitch was already quite damp. His young partner stroked the ball away confidently and called for the run shouting “look for two” as they passed, the gentleman did as he was bid but in attempting a quick turn his feet slipped from under him and he fell with a resounding crash to the floor and winded himself. Casuals fielders rushed to his aid concerned for his well being, slowly he raised himself to all fours and taking a deep breath looked towards his partner and said “just the one then”.
Almondbury Casuals Cricket Club 