From Outside the Rope: It's All Over Now Ma.

So we've ended a season which had been predicted by the harbingers of doom to see the final decline and fall of The Hills sojourn in First division cricket. Well sorry guys, The Hills 1st. XI could, but for a couple of freakishly bad displays against teams beginning with the letter P, have won the most competitive league for many years. The Hills 2nd XI retained their Division 2 status and, given the enthusiasm shown by the many players who stepped up, can give a decent showing again next year.

An odd season in many ways, it finished for me watching international athletes competing for their country in World Cup qualifiers against Ireland and showing a complete lack of commitment, fielding with their hands in their mental pockets. Back in the day if a schoolboy was to perform in this way he would get his proverbial arse kicked to next Tuesday! Well done Ireland, you punished such cricket as it should be punished.

Highs and lows littered the season, I particularly enjoyed the joyous abandon with which Stephen Archer hit his four sixes and six fours for The Hills 3rd XI on a day which he decreed was much too hot to run, I bet Rush 2nd XI wished it had been cooler! Railway Union arrived at The Vineyard when Max Sorensen was "hors de combat" and bowling was for him forbidden, not to be left out of the picture he smashed his way to 120 runs and made a few of us spend much of his innings in Joey's field. It is with true joy that I see that Max has been selected to represent his new homeland at the Hong Kong Sixes; it should be just the beginning of a sparkling career in international cricket for the big man. 

Pembroke at The Vineyard, now that was a day never to be forgotten. It should be seared into the consciousness of every Milverton man on that day's team so that wherever they may play cricket in the future they won't allow themselves to fall so far again. As for The Hills at Phoenix, well least said soonest mended!

Many of the best days were spent in The Vineyard watching the 3rd and 4th elevens plying their trade, it's wonderful to see the young, up and coming cricketers working alongside their hoarier colleagues and learning about the game and developing a love for it.

Not much more to say now, keep an eye out for Movember and winter well. See you in the Spring.

Bobby Swarbrigg