As Barby continue a memorable 50th Anniversary year, Sunday 12th June was a celebration game involving players from all ages including a number of people who played the inaugural game some 50 years ago.
President Nev Weston, himself part of that game and Chairman Rob Field who despite his youthful looks was a year old in 1972. Teams were selected from a squad of over 40 past and current players.
Both men picked 2 sides to be involved in 2 T20 games with the combined team scoring the most runs declared the winner. The day got off to a flying start as Field himself opened the batting and set about the pace of club professional Siviwe Gidana in exhilarating style. Whilst at the other end, his opening partner, head coach and ex England star Mal Loye initially looked uncomfortable against the guile of former schoolmate Phil Beagley he was starting to find some rhythm when he fell to a brilliant boundary catch by Gidana of the bowling of Joe Hardbattle.
Whether it was the beautiful weather, the scenic views or the fact that there were so many friends past and present in attendance, the author did not find much to report on through the rest of the innings. The Chairman’s 11 closed on 120 and their veterans then took the Field.
Barby is proud to maintain records of every player who has ever pulled on the royal blue cap and it was a pleasure to see club record run scorer Chris Fortnum opening the batting facing up to Weston himself. A number of other club legends took part in the game with many others regretting not having donned the whites on the sidelines. Highlights involved a batting masterclass from Stuart Gleghorn and some athletic fielding by Graham Lamb. Youngster Will Shay took the field with his dad Adam for the first time and put the old man to shame.
Mid innings, the tea makers of Barby demonstrated the reason why the club is famous across the land with a spread that could have fed an army and rendered them helpless! The armh on this occasion was the Chairman X1 as the Presidents x1 took the field chasing 188 for victory.
As festivities continued and old friends reacquainted themselves over numerous beers, the cricket started to become interesting. Jack Bennett who is sorely missed at the club stroked an effortless half century, accompanied by in form club vice chairman Rich Tarrant.
After the loss of Bennett and a brief interlude when Joe Hardbattle was given a lesson by his sister, Northants u18 seamer Amy, the game came down to the wire and Tarrant neared a maiden century. After a chanceless 99, in front of an expectant crowd, with the entire fielding side deep down hoping Tarrant would reach the milestone, he somehow didn’t!
And with the dismissal went the chance of victory, leaving Chairman Rob Field to pick up the trophy for what will now be an annual event.
This was one of a number of celebratory events at Barby CC this year with each surpassing its predecessor. After 50 years in existence, 2022 is the first of the next 50. Barby is really keen to welcome boys, girls, men and women to the club.
Everyone is welcome and please all feel free to join us in the bar on Friday evenings.
