England play New Zealand in the ICC World Cup Final at Lord’s. Will Roy and Bairstow put on another century opening partnership to lead them to World Cup victory?

A group of mostly over 40s, (complete with an injection of youth from the Junior Section), grace the cricket field at Park Drive. It must be Sunday, 14th July, 2019! Will their bodies still be up to the rigours of playing recreational cricket? Possibly not.

As publicised earlier, this Sunday sees an Over 40s cricket match being played at Park Drive. Messrs Baggs, Thompsons and Sayers have managed to collate a number of willing participants for Sunday’s match.

The plan is for the players to meet at about 1pm, with the match starting at 2pm. Cricket whites are optional. The teams are looking to play 30 overs per side, with bowlers limited to a maximum of five overs each. No draw, just victory, or defeat! Which team will come out as victors in what is surely to be an epic battle, played in the right spirit, between “West” and the HQ Warriors? Late Sunday afternoon, we’ll know the answer.

Our Chairman, Alan Jackson, has kindly agreed to officiate this match. If all goes well, other matches may be played too!

The West Select XI will be chosen from an ever expanding squad, including : Baggs Senior; Scott; Salvin; Curson; Chiggs; Oli; Sos; Cam; Mixie; Sid; and Ash. A “spy in the camp”, (who wishes to remain anonymous : thanks AD), informs that “West” had a very successful net session on Wednesday evening, with much talent being on show. “West” have obviously taken a leaf out of Gooch’s book : “Fail to prepare, prepare to fail!”.

The HQ Warriors are : Thompson; Coverdale; Cunliffe; Dixon; Snowball; Dickson; Sayers Senior; Sayers Junior; Minton; Ali; and Jackson. Freddie has kindly agreed to help with the scoreboard.

The Bar will be open from 12noon, so why not take in the World Cup Final at Hartlepool Cricket Club, plus the Over 40s match? It’s set to be an exciting day of cricket, with aches and pains following sometime in mid-week and perhaps beyond for probably most of the participants!

A barbecue is planned, so hopefully the Sun will shine!