Sax's Blog - The Grand Opening
30 August 2013
The Gloucester’s held on for a draw in the contrived game against Kent last weekend. At the end of last Friday (day 3 of the game) we were 307 for 9 still with day 4 to play but persistent rain on the Saturday meant that no play was possible and both teams came out with a draw. Gareth Roderick made his maiden first class hundred with a fantastic knock of 152 not out, stabilising the innings. He has come on leaps and bounds since joining the staff after impressing in club cricket and the 2nd XI games he was involved in last year. Over this season he has proved how valuable a keeper-batsman is. Not just with the runs he can score, but how a player like him can balance out the make-up of the team especially when he can comfortably bat up the order at number 3.
Monday was a special day for the club with the grand opening of the new Bristol Pavilion. Watch the video of the occasion below. Players from the past, present and future gathered along with a variety of street performers who were providing the entertainment for the day. A fantastic atmosphere was created for an important YB40 game against the local rivals Somerset. The ribbon was cut and play got underway. We won the toss and elected to bowl first, Somerset posted a total of 258. Jos Buttler top scored for the visitors with a very controlled 68 not out. In reply we fell 12 runs short as the streetwise Alfonso Thomas closed out the game in the final overs. The loss meant that we would progress no further in the competition ending the campaign in 4th, joint on points with Middlesex but with a lesser run rate.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NZbUHD0-r8
Tuesday was my first day biking into work; I have decided that driving to the ground to spend 40 minutes sat on a bike in the gym is silly so I am doing my bit for the City of Bristol, the green capital of Europe 2014. After arriving at work I spent the day getting things ready for Essex arriving. The pavilion had to be tidied from the celebrations the day before in preparation for the members on Wednesday. A few signs had to be changed, menus printed and brochures strategically placed. The lads were in for light training, the game against Somerset was out of the mind. With the white ball competitions now done and dusted for us it was a perfect opportunity to focus fully on the red bit of leather.
Essex arrived at The Bristol County Ground on Wednesday. Michael Klinger won the toss and elected to bowl first, the decision being made that the wicket should offer the bowlers something early on. A good start from the Gloucester’s, Will Gidman bowling Gambir in the 5th over, was not backed up for the rest of the day, Essex closing on 333 for 7 with Greg Smith finishing day 1 on 149 not out. Unfortunately we could not provide anything consistent enough to contain the run rate with the visitors scoring at nearly 3.5 runs per over throughout the day.
Yesterday was a new day after a disappointing performance on Wednesday but unfortunately we continued to be under par. Play did not get underway until after lunch due to light drizzle in the morning but day two proved to be the visitor’s day once again. Essex were eventually bowled out for 400 claiming all 5 batting points, they then went on to reduce us to 211 for 9 by the time the day’s play eventually drew to a close at well gone 7pm. Although finishing late the lads made their way to the Premier Club bar for a quick drink before departing for home. The new pavilion is a fantastic facility that the lads are really proud of, the opposition and umpires were invited along to talk about how the day had unfolded. I had not predicted a late finish so had to climb into the saddle for a moonlit bike ride home.
Craig Miles and Graeme McCarter got us past the follow on earlier today. Craig stroking his way to his maiden first class 50 coming off just 63 balls including ten 4’s. Graeme was eventually run out ending the innings and a 10th wicket partnership of 78. There was a slight delay between innings due to the umpires being locked out of their room and not being able to retrieve the match balls. By all accounts the batteries had run out in the electronic lock sealing the door shut. Whatever happened to an old fashion key…? Essex are now batting and are over 350 runs ahead. Something miraculous will have to unfold to create a Gloucestershire win from here. It is Tom Richardson’s (the chief executive’s) farewell drinks this evening. It marks the end of 12 years behind the reigns. I think I speak for all wishing him well in his next venture. The new Bristol Pavilion will be a perfect setting for his final drink in charge of the club, after all Tom was the man who got it all passed and built. Cheers.
Sax
