Don’t upset the landlord

Bedouins v Enville O40s – 21st July 2021

Bedouins won

Bedouins have always been very lucky to be hosted by Enville Cricket Club. There are not many places in this land that boast such beautiful surroundings. Enville are celebrating their 200 year anniversary this year. The Wednesday night Bedouins vs Enville Over 40’s would be a game set at the mid-point in their week of celebrations. All of the Bedouins were honoured to be a part of the week and wished our landlord all the best wishes for the future.

Bedouins arrived to a lovely summer evening with new chairs and a crowd at the front of the Pavilion. The atmosphere was already hotting up and it was clear that Enville had taken the fixture seriously fielding what seemed a strong side.

Skip lost the Toss……again! Enville elected to bat and the game was underway. Babyface George and Boom Boom opened up the bowling and almost immediately we knew a tough night was ahead. Tonks and Smith both retiring on 30 and really gave our opening partnership a tough time. All despite some accurate and unusually pacey bowling on a hard wicket. Neither picked up a wicket which was unlucky on this occasion. Sometimes you just meet good opposition players.

At this point a thank you to our umpires who stood around in the heat making sure we all stayed in check. R Farmer a particular delight saying how well I was bowling despite getting dispatched to the boundary every three balls. What a nice chap!

Bate had been sitting on his sofa watching Central News when he finally realised he should be playing cricket. Eventually turning up some 6 overs in he was worth the wait. 4 steady overs for just 18 complimented Mr Stanier at the other end who went for 22 and all of a sudden, we were back in the game.

Additional to the tight bowling was our Jonno. The youth policy of the Bedouins Team was like a ferret up a drainpipe this evening. He had more slides than a 35mm camera club (one for the oldies) and ultimately kept the score from going out of our reach. I counted at least 25 runs saved. I don’t know where he gets his energy from.

Robertson and Gregory wrapped up our overs with Mahmood retiring on 30 for Enville and Hamilton, Tranter and Goodman bolstering the target. 139 was set and the Beds had lots to do.

Bedouins were off to a flier in their Innings. Branch was back on form. No less than seven boundaries, beautiful drives and the odd heave ho and retired on 32. Lippitt was also in the groove. Another six boundaries and the dab was working just fine. 33 and Retired.

The Enville attack had been steady without the required wickets. Moran, May, Tranter, Davis all bowling through without joy.

Hill joined in at the middle and solidified his Man of the Match performance with a sensible batting innings. Defend the straight and punish the wide…..and punish he did. 31 and Retired.

N Smith quickly departed after being caught by Tranter, and then Stanier and Boom Boom joined the party. 15 Overs had gone and 39 was the score required.

Bedouins have struggled to get across the line a few times this season, you could say it’s been the theme of our season. However, today the Bedouins had a twinkle in their eyes and what seemed a 2×4 in their hand.

Stanier tickled over the singles to get Boom Boom on strike and that was that. 3 overs later and a 30 + partnership led to the final ball of the 17th Over. A crunching 6 down the ground from Skip and Beds had pulled it off.

I don’t think Enville knew what happened, I don’t think Bedouins did either!

The most important thing about this game was the social get together afterwards. We have waited for a game like this for a couple of years now. A beer, a bite to eat around friends.

And what friends we have at Enville…….

Eddie’s Night

Oldswinford v Bedouins – 14th July 2021

Bedouins lost by 19 runs

Great rivalries on most occasions bring tight nail biting, tactical chess matches that mean that one slight move can make the difference. These games do also occasionally bring a hero from absolutely nowhere. A once in a lifetime champagne moment that lives in folk law and gets etched in the memory…..think Origi vs Everton (Sorry Neil) or A Hill vs SSP…. remember that folks! Anyway……more about that later….

So, Bedouins popped down the road to meet our good friends at Oldswinford on a warm July night. All were in great spirits as usual. Skip and Stanier made sure they had the ‘Right’ cap on and a few of the Oldswinford lads returned to their home kit.

Skip lost the toss, again. Beds were out to bowl and the game underway. Opening the bowling was the usual gruesome twosome Mike ‘Babyface’ George and Skip, Boom Boom Bywater. Usually, the tale goes that Mike’s arm falls off, the umpire gets a lateral shoulder muscle workout and then Skip comes on the steady things up. Not tonight. Mike fired through four steady overs against tough opening partnership Spooner and O’Meara who quickly raced away to a 50 partnership, Spooner 30 retired and O’Meara 20. Meanwhile at the other end Skip had just begun his ‘off night’. Nobody is really sure what happened, not since the great ‘Sunday Hangover’ had Bywater looked so out of sorts. Cows’ backside and Banjo come to mind and Lippitt got brave in the field, calling for someone to help him to tell the Skipper to remove himself from the attack. Skip knew his time had come and called for Austin to rescue him and with 4 overs, 2 wickets for 17 he certainly did.

Following Mike at the end of his stint was the returning Spratters. He had been circling the outfield of Enville for weeks looking like a lost puppy and all he needed was Master to call him home…..and home he came. I have to say it was genuinely great seeing Spratters back in the fold. Playing with a smile on his face and with a spring in his step. Long may it continue. The Whites are not ready for the loft yet. 4 Overs 2 wickets for 12. Great return!

After the fiery opening partnership, the middle order continued to push the total. Taylor, Milner and Brigdale launching some marvellous shots to post a competitive 119.

Bedouin’s innings didn’t quite ignite. Branch gone for a ‘duck’ and Lippitt and Hill pinned down by straight bowling on a good length. Martin Watts going for just 10 off his 4 overs and Matt Watts going for just 9. 119 looked a long way away but credit where it’s due, Lippitt and Hill pushed on to give the Bedouins a chance. Hill retiring on 34 and Lippitt taken out lbw on 27 by Brigdale.

The game was all set up for Skip ‘Boom Boom’ Bywater to come and steal the show. Potter was bowling and his first ball was exactly where Skip wanted it. Boom……….OUT! It really was one of those moments you had to be there. Skip fired the ball straight back over Potters head, not quite out of the middle of the bat but it was only dropping 10-15 yards short of the boundary. They say in this game to ‘pick your fielders’, but this time Skip got it wrong. Trusty Eddie Hewitt was stood on the boundary and his eyes lit as soon as the ball launched away. I still don’t know how he caught it. Somebody said something about a forward one-handed scoop dive. I just had the ‘claw’ from Toy Story 3 running through my mind. Skip trudged back to the club house thoroughly dejected yet amazed at the same time…

Our new friend Goring also went for 0, a shame as it is clear that he is a proper cricketer. Seems he is mobile and can field so actually puts most of us to shame already. McConnell flashed his blade for 10 but got caught. Highlight of the Oldswinford bowling attack was Mickey Robbo taking 2 wickets for 23 runs.

‘Mr Oldswinford’ himself, Jon Stanier then came to hopefully rescue us but it was not to be. Eddie Hewitt Struck again a colossal blow, this time with his bowling arm taking out the stumps after a deflection or two. Howells and Gregory came to the middle but had too much to do and not enough time.

Bedouins finished on 100 – 19 runs short.

Another fun action-packed game that will live in memory for the Eddie Hewitt show and the matching smile! Mind you who can blame him!

 

Cold Beds feel the heat

Pedmore v Bedouins – 23rd June 2021
Bedouins lost by 8 wickets

Bedouins fielded a debutante for this away fixture with Pedmore in the shape of Kev Taylor who proved to be a good signing. His unbeaten 30 whilst opening with Smith N, proved to be the highlight of a pretty unremarkable Bedouins innings.

Taylor was well supported by MacConnell who again showed good form with the bat on his way to 20 before being caught. Smith N and Bywater failed to get a start and both went cheaply. Stanier looked to be getting back to his best with an innings of 19 including a six over long on and Howells rode his luck somewhat, being dropped three times in his innings of 8 not out.

Thankfully Pedmore clocked up 25 extras to help contribute to Bedouins final total of 112 for 3.

Beds never really had Pedmore under any sort of pressure during their innings. Bywater was accurate as usual and was unlucky not to take a wicket with Susman dropping (another) catch at mid-off. There can’t be any excuses he didn’t see the ball, it was fluorescent pink.

At the other end Paul Moran, who had made a couple of cameo appearances for the beds before, bowled an over before pulling up lame with a tweaked achilles. Bate took over and bowled one of the Pedmore openers and Stanier took a wicket in his spell, but on the whole Bedouins appear to have lost their mojo with Pedmore reaching their target in the 19th over.

Beds were treated to a curry after the game which sure spiced things up a bit. It was interesting to see the squad sweating more over their tea than they did on the pitch. Next up, the Sunday fixture away at Birlingham against the Fossils.

Beds snatch defeat from the jaws of victory

Bedouins v Kinlet – Sunday 20th June 2021

Bedouins lost by 5 wickets

The second of Bedouins three fixtures with Kinlet this season ended in a disappointing defeat when it looked like Bedouins had bowled well enough to secure a victory.

This fixture was played on a very dismal Sunday at Enville with weather you could best describe as overcast. Beds batted first with an opening partnership of Branch and Lippitt. The first 10 overs had a run rate akin to a test match innings. Branch batted diligently at one end, while Lippet and Hill J both departed cheaply and at the end of the first 10 overs of this 35-over-a-side game, Beds had amassed 23 runs for those two wickets.

Branch was joined by Thomas and the two put on a good partnership before Branch retired on 53, smashing a six off his last ball. Hill A. joined Thomas but by this time Bedouins were looking to up the tempo for the last five overs of the innings. Thomas was bowled on 43 trying to find the boundary and Hill A. was caught having made 13.

Stanier struggled to get going and was stumped on three whilst dancing down the wicket. Bywater weighed in with 11 runs at the end and was not out. Bedouins had finally scrambled their way to 144 for 5. It didn’t look enough.

In reply Bedouins had Kinlet pinned down at the start of their innings with some tidy bowling from Bywater and Bate. At the end of their allotted seven overs, Bywater had finished with 1 for 14 and Bate 1 for 6, with his spell including four maidens. When Kinlet had finished their 20th over and had only scored 43, Bedouins looked to be in complete control.

Susman took over from Bywater and after a couple of overs found some sort of form to finish with 3 for 27 with one of those wickets being a blinding one-handed catch from Branch. Stanier at the other end finished with 0 for 32 from his seven overs. Kinlet’s hard-hitting number three, Bishop, retired on 53 and with Kinlet reaching the 28th over and still needing 62 from the last seven overs, Bedouins still looked favourite.

Then it all fell apart. Kinlet with Engleheart and Millington at the crease set about the bowling change with some vigour. Runs started flowing with Bedouins stiff legs and dodgy hamstrings failing to protect the boundary. Surely they couldn’t? But they did. Kinlet reached the target with an over to spare and were quite rightly cock-a-hoop.

Beacon beat Bedouins black and blue

Bedouins v Beacon – Wednesday June 16th

Beacon won by 30 runs

We tend to forget what a dangerous sport cricket can be. Over the years Bedouins have had their fair share of facial injuries from top edges. Who can forget Vernon Currie’s black eye, or Bill O’Neill’s split lip. I seem to remember a certain B. Susman’s nose also having an altercation with a ball on one occasion. Whether that was a Bedouin’s game I can’t quite remember. It didn’t spoil his good looks anyway.

The game with Beacon on Wednesday night was pretty unremarkable. It was quite a high scoring affair, but mostly it will stay in the memory for the injury that befell Mick Robertson. It was nasty as the picture shows, but it could have been so much worse. More on that later.

Beacon brought a strong side to Enville. Batting first, they quickly got runs on the board, although two quick wickets may have tipped the balance in favour of the Beds for an over or two. Skipper Bywater opened the bowling despite an injured hand (another cricket injury) and was rewarded with a wicket in his first over. At the other end George struggled with a dodgy shoulder and came off after two overs to be replaced by Gregory, who also claimed a wicket in his first over.

Beacon then got a grip on the game. One of their openers retired on 32 and three batsmen further down the order got to the 30 mark, or close to it, with some hard hitting. Ask Mick Robertson. He was on the receiving end whilst bowling. The batsman in full flow, hit the ball straight back to Robertson who instinctively tried to catch with his favoured left hand. With the ball hit so hard, all he managed to do was deflect the ball onto his shoulder. He was lucky, very lucky that it was his shoulder it hit. The picture shows Mick a couple of days later with the huge lump still clearly visible. Beacon continued to pile on the runs and ended with 152 for 3.

Bedouins start to the run chase didn’t go according to plan. Branch and Gregory were both quickly back in the pavilion but after that bad start Bedouins fought back with Hill J (30) displaying a fine mix of straight bat and bit hitting, well supported by MacConnell (30) who was back in the Bedouins line-up for the first time in a few years, and looked in good form. Earlier he had also held a catch. There haven’t been many of those from Bedouins this season.

Stanier regularly found the boundary before he was run out on 27 but by this point the required run rate was rocketing and the rest of the Beds batting order failed to reach double figures although the team did finish with a respectable 122 for 6. Now onto another Sunday fixture with the boys from Kinlet. Get well soon Robbo.

Bedouins not in awe of Celebs

Bedouins v Celebs – Sunday 6th June 2021

Bedouins won by 8 wickets

When I was asked to play for the Celebs against the Bedouins little did I realise what trauma lie in wait. For those of you who don’t know the history of The Celebs, they were a team of personalities from various parts of the insurance industry, put together by the editor of Brokers’ Monthly magazine, Brian Susman. You will of course recognise that name if you are a Bedouin. He is, of course, our previous chairman.

The Celebs gained a reputation for playing on some of the finest grounds in the country; the Oval, Trent Bridge, Chatsworth House, and New Road, Worcester to name but a few, usually playing against some of the larger insurance companies. On Sunday 6th June, the Celebs came to Enville for a 30-over-a-side match.

Early Sunday, it looked the game would never happen. It rained. A lot. But of course, the sun always shines on the righteous, and The Celebs, with few supporters in tow, descended on Enville from all over the country to find reasonable weather conditions.

Before the game, Celebs skipper Dave Haynes presented Brian Susman with a trophy (as pictured) donated by the Celebs, to be used by the Bedouins in whatever way they see fit. A lovely gesture and a great way to mark the occasion.

The Celebs batted first and seemed to be in little trouble with openers Oakley and Fowles retiring on 30, they made it look pretty easy, as did Tom Evans in at three, who is obviously a class act. He didn’t hang around long before he got to the retirement point of 30. George, Bywater and Bate all toiled hard in the warm conditions but without much success. Aston pulled up abruptly whilst chasing the ball to the boundary. He was soon to depart for home. That made it 10-a-side.

So there I was enjoying myself, when all of a sudden I have to go and bat. I was ready for the ‘bants’ as I got to the wicket. “Look, they’ve sent the tail in!”. What I wasn’t ready for was the sound of ball hitting stumps with my first delivery. Stanier looked sheepish at the bowler’s end. Oh well, I thought, perhaps I could redeem myself with a brilliant bowling performance.

Celebs survived a mini collapse after this. Hames and Parkinson also departed and it was left to Doyle and Wilshire to grab some valuable runs at the end. Celebs finished on 145 for 3. Stanier was the pick of the bowlers with 2 for 10 from his four overs. A mention too for Rhys Thomas who had disappeared into the wilderness for a few season, but returned like he’d never been away, with 1 for 29 from 6 overs.

So the Bedouins opened their innings with Branch and Lippitt at the crease. I was asked to open the bowling (poor judgement from the skipper). Here’s my chance, I thought. Make a name for yourself and take a few wickets. No such luck. Andy Parkinson at the other end was economical and beat the bat a few times. Just as well, because at the other end I was getting pummelled by both batsmen. If Parky hadn’t been so tight, the game could have been over after 20 overs.

In a comical mix up, Branch was told to retire although it was discovered afterwards he had only made it to 22. Lippitt retired on the full 30. Then the Celebs brought on some proper bowlers. Neil Hames is an over 70s county player and Tom Evans is as good with the ball is he is with the bat. With that, bedouins lost two quick wickets with Thomas and Hill A. going cheaply.

A much younger Hill, the J version, came to the wicket as did Stanier, and the two set about chasing down the total with vigour. Hames finished with 2 for 21 and Evans 0 for 15 both from a six over stint. At that point it looked like the game had swung the Celebs way.

Then I came back on to finish my spell… It ended with Hill J hitting my last ball over square leg for a well-timed 6. A great shot. I disappeared the boundary with my tail between my legs thinking it couldn’t get much worse. I was wrong. An over or two later, I ‘sprinted’ to save more runs, only to feel that twang as my hamstring waved the little white flag.

Skipper Haynes and Ben Parkinson finished the bowling but by this time most of the damage was done. Hill J and Stanier had both retired and it was left to Bywater and Howells to get Bedouins across the line in the last over, finishing on 148 for 2 and completing their first victory of the season.

Game over, I hobbled from the far end of the ground towards the pavilion contemplating a personally dreadful performance. What was the point? Is it time to give up? Why do we do it? I’ll tell you why, the performance is relatively unimportant, the fact is, despite the low points, it’s enjoyable. If you were there, hopefully you enjoyed it too.

Thank you to Mike George for the photos.

Could do better!

Bedouins v Kinlet – Wednesday June 3rd

Bedouins lost by 33 runs

Turning up at the Enville ground to be greeted with fairly heavy rain and dark skies, it looked for a while as if the game with Kinlet might be another to fall victim to the weather. Thankfully, just as Jon Stanier predicted with his trusty weather app, the rain abated and play finally got underway around 6.30pm. Boy was it dark though!

It was good to get reacquainted with our good friends from Kinlet. Always fun to play against but competitive too, and this game was no different.

On paper Bedouins were fielding a strong side, however this season so far the team has generally flattered to deceive. Their school report would say ‘could do better’. Kinlet batted first with Bedouins traditional pair of opening bowlers, Bywater and George, trying to get to grips with a wet ball. George’s first ball after many months of inactivity pitched a yard in front of his toes, but he soon got back in the swing. Skipper Bywater was economical finishing with 1 for 4 from his four overs.

Susman dropped what should have been a straightforward catch off the skipper’s bowling and was condemned to some fierce ribbing for the rest of the Kinlet innings. Meanwhile Branch standing close in at first slip took a catch that required the reactions of a cat. No mean feat in the gloomy conditions and with a wet ball.

Gregory bowled superbly from the pavilion end to halt any momentum Kinlet were building with their innings, taking three quick wickets in his spell of 3 for 10 from four overs, which included a double wicket maiden in his last over. Smith M also weighed in with a couple of wickets in his two overs. Kinlet reached what looked like a gettable total of 93.

Never underestimate Kinlet though. Their bowling was tight from the start and Bedouins, opening with Branch and Lippitt, struggled to get the ball away. And that theme continued right through the Bedouins innings.

Lippett looked the most dangerous of the Beds batsmen as he made his way to 20 before being caught behind and a partnership between Susman and Stanier promised much but delivered little. With the required run rate climbing steeply Susman took a wild heave ho at a straight ball and was bowled and although Stanier stayed at the crease Bedouins never looked like getting anywhere near the target of 94. In the end they finished well short on 60 for 5.

Let’s hope Bedouins can up their game for the Sunday fixture with The Celebs.

“Hello, hello, it’s good to be back, it’s good to be back”

Belbroughton v Bedouins – at Belbroughton – 26/5/21

Bedouins lost by 8 wickets

After missing a whole season of cricket in 2020 and possibly more importantly, having no indoor nets to help get back in the swing of things, Bedouins played their first game of 2021 away at Belbroughton.

Our first two fixtures fell victim to the inclement weather so it was a relief to finally get a game on. A few Bedouins had already played a little with their club sides. Thank goodness. Those that hadn’t looked a little stiff and rusty.

Beds batted first on a wicket that could best be described as a ‘pudding’. Very slow and with little bounce it proved hard for both sides to get the ball off the square. Branch and Howells opened with the former departing quickly, losing his stumps when on one. However, the evergreen Howells showed his quality and even ran four twos in one over on his way to 20 before being bowled.

The wicket wasn’t conducive to Jono Hill’s big hitting although he did manage a six in his total of eight before being bowled. Stanier took a while to find his rhythm but once he did he found the boundary several times in his 26 before being stumped going for another big hit.

Wickets tumbled quickly towards the end of the Beds innings as they tried to add to a low total and in the end they scraped together a total of 87 for the loss of nine wickets.

Things looked promising for the Bedouins at the start of the Belbroughton innings. Bywater and Robertson opened the bowling and both made it very hard for the batsmen to get any momentum. In fact they had only amassed 14 from the first seven overs. Robertson’s spell proved to be the pick of the bunch, returning figures of 2 for 12 from his four overs.

Two new batsmen settled in for Belbroughton and after a while they started to show their dominance, regularly finding the boundary. The result then only ever looked like going one way and they reached their target of 88 at the end of the 19th over and for the loss of just the two wickets.

Towards the end of a dull evening the sun broker through and it all ended with a very enjoyable curry supplied by the host club. As the photo above shows, we ate outside and watched the sun disappear over the trees. It’s great to be back.

Bedouins Virtual AGM 2020

BEDOUINS AGM 2020
Held 3rd November 2020 20:00hrs

Chaired by Lee Bywater
In attendance: A Susman, A Hill, J Branch, L Bywater, A Hancock, M George, A Gregory, N Smith and J Stanier
LB opened the meeting thanking everyone for attending.

APOLOGIES
Apologies received from B Susman, J Hill J and Howells.

FIXTURES
LB went through the 2020 fixture list gathering a general consensus as to whether the fixtures would be renewed in 2021.

LB in full agreement with those in attendance suggested the following fixtures for 2020:
Wednesday Fixtures
Kinlet (H TBC)
Oldswinford (H/A)
Beacon (H/A)
Enville
A Gregory XI
Belbroughton H/A
*Blakedown H/A
*New Fixture
Sunday Fixtures
Fossils (H/A)
Ashby Albion
Sunday home games subject to availability.

TREASURER’S REPORT
A copy of the Treasurers report was distributed to those present. Club funds are currently healthy but there was a loss for the year of £364.74 as a result of COVID 19. Total balance at present is £1407.72

SUBSCRIPTIONS
AH suggested that despite the loss this season, subscriptions should be retained at the current rate of £45 per year. Memberships were not collected during the 2020 season as there was no cricket played by the Bedouins due to COVID 19.

OFFICERS
Prior to the meeting Brian Susman had circulated his intention to stand down as Chairman after over 35 years.

Brian’s Message is below:

I hope you enjoy the first ever remote AGM of the Bedouins and I offer my sincere apologies for not being able to attend in person.



As you may know, it had been my intention all along to stand down as chairman at this AGM. My fading eyesight had made it necessary. But now, the need to resign is more acute, as ill health has taken over lately. That is why I was shipped off to PRH Telford a few weeks ago, where I spent a jolly week incarcerated – no visitors, and nothing to read, as I couldn’t see it. With time hanging heavy, it was a sheer delight to have phone calls from some Beds. To those who took the trouble to make contact, my sincere thanks. It was very kind of some of you to take the trouble, and I want you to know that it was very much appreciated.



Standing down this year, while Covid is still ruling our lives, is not ideal for my successor. But we do have one volunteer, prepared to take on the chairmanship, so I will leave that for the proper electoral process to take place before saying any more.



Being the Bedouins chairman for the last 35 years or more has been a rare privilege and a real pleasure. We have had some wonderful times together, and many happy memories to look back on. It has given me real pleasure to see that, as some members have come and gone, we have always been able to stick to Bedouins principles of playing the great game “seriously for fun”. Long may that continue, and I am sure that, under the newly elected chairman, it will be the case.



Have a good meeting. And I look forward to seeing you all in the 2021 season.



Regards

Your ever loving Chairman

LB wished to have it recorded in the minutes the fact that Brian has done an amazing job for which every Bedouin was grateful.

LB also indicated he was aware of a Bedouin interested in becoming the new Bedouins Chairman and proposed Mike George.

A Susman Seconded. None opposed.
Mike George welcomed as new Bedouins Chairman.
Captain LB proposed by M George, seconded A Susman
Secretary LB proposed by M George, seconded A Susman
Treasurer TH proposed by A Hill, seconded M George
Head of Comms AS proposed by A Hill, seconded by M George

DUCK SUPPER
LB confirmed that the annual Duck Supper for 2020 was cancelled due to COVID 19.
LB indicated that work commitments were impacting on his ability to arrange the DS and requested the assistance of another Bedouin to take up the arrangements for next year.
AH offered to take over this task for 2021 and moving forward.
JB indicated that last years caterers would not be available moving forward.
AH suggested the return to the Cat at Enville due to the facilities and ease of arrangements.
General consensus at the meeting was that this was a good idea.

NETS
NS to investigate local Nets availability and report back to the Chairman.

NEXT AGM
The next Bedouins AGM will be held on Tuesday 2nd November 2021.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Cricket Teas
MG/AS to contact Sam to check her availability to provide Wednesday night teas.
AH and AS confirmed Jo and Nicky happy to continue to assist with Sunday teas.
LB also confirmed Claire happy to assist when required for Sunday Fixtures.

Golf Day
LB confirmed that he would approach J Davidson about arranging the Bedouins Golf day 2021.
Sapey was unanimously voted the preference for this year’s event.
LB indicated that COVID may still impact on the event.
No other business raised; BS closed the meeting at 2115hrs.

Cricket Balls
LB will arrange for cricket balls for the new season through previous supplier.
*Note – JB has since been in contact with LB and a dozen balls have been ordered through Enville.

Match Reports
MG asked if there was a volunteer for match reports. AS indicated that he would be willing to take on this task.

Meeting closed 2110hrs
Minutes L Bywater

Duck Supper 2019

This year, Bedouins CC broke with tradition, taking the Duck Supper away from its long-term venue, The Cat in Enville, and ensconced themselves in Enville’s club house. Spratters volunteered a contact of his to do the catering, so everyone waited with bated breath to see whether the food would be up to the high standards expected by a group of gentlemen who are used to fine-dining in the highest circles, like Kentucky Fried Chicken and McDonald’s. They also waited with bated breath to see if Spratters would actually turn up. He did so, fashionably late.

The signs were good. The tables were well presented and in a change from previous years at The Cat, we all had some elbow room. Spratters breathed an audible sigh of relief as the starters were met with approval, followed by excellent main courses, and sumptuous puds. So much so, the cheese course was all but written off.

Lippo receives the Warner trophy

Some things are set in stone. We had the usual quiz which, as always, was hard fought, but eventually won by Paul Lippitt and Trevor Spears (Enville’s chairman and welcome guest for the night). We also had the Warner trophy for Bedouin of the Year which was won by Paul Lippitt (there’s a pattern emerging here). But we also had a new trophy, the Barry Cottle trophy, which from now on will be awarded to recognise the champagne moment of the year. This year it went to… no not Lippo, but our esteemed chairman. What was the moment that won him this treasured accolade? It was that moment when, sat eating tea in the last game of the season, away at Kinlet, a dog darted between his legs to half-inch his eggy sandwich. Full story here.

Mr Chairman receives the Barry Cottle trophy

Probably more importantly though, the Barry Cottle trophy is a means by which we can all remember the Bedouins founding member and ex-chairman. The man responsible for the ethos by which we still proudly play today – “Playing seriously for fun”.

The averages for the 2019 season were revealed, with many presuming that Lippo would claim himself another win in the batting category after his epic 92 retired lame. However it was good to see Andy Hill back at the top of the charts with an average of over 60, in his first full season back after a long injury lay off. The bowling plaudits went to Adrian Susman. Full details of the 2019 averages are available here.

The new skipper tells it like it was.

We also enjoyed the new skipper’s inaugural speech, which was spot on. Short, witty and entertaining. Lets face it though, who would dare tell him if it wasn’t? Finally, we had some emotional words from our Chairman as he divulged his plan to stand down at the next AGM. That will leave some big boots to fill. Quite literally. Who will step up to the mark?

Mr Chairman delivers his overview of the season

So, as usual, a good night was had by all. Long may it continue.