Association of Cricket Officials Issue 27 | Page 36

Views From the Scorebox Judy Cohen, Railway Union Scorebox Here are two photos of my scorebox in Railway Union in Dublin 4. It was an old doughnut van, which was converted by a local chippy and our resident sparks. Although it's a bit cosy and can only fit two scorers, there is a printer and laptop for D/L/S, a kettle (most important), and we have an Mike Snook, Retired Yorkshire CCC Second XI Scorer The ice-cream truck is not unique! I made my County Championship debut as the scorer for Yorkshire against Gloucestershire at the Archdeacon Meadows, the King’s School ground in 1998 in such a vehicle. Whereas the illustrated ‘scorebox’ is solid on three sides, the one provided at Gloucester was clear glass/perspex on all sides, and when the sun shone, as it did for most of the match, it was hot, and I mean hot. The wags in the crowd soon gave up singing ‘Just one Cornetto’ as they walked past. Fortunately, from the scorers’ perspective, the Championship match ended before lunch on the fourth day, but we were to return the following day for the one-day 40-over match. Two years later, I was to return to Archdeacon Meadows – and to the ice-cream truck – when Gloucestershire entertained the touring Zimbabweans, for whom I was electronic scoreboard, which is operated by the scorer from what is affectionately called the 'Judy Wagon', plus we have a light for signalling back to the umpires. All we need now is an en suite and a minibar! It's situated near the clubhouse and has Wi-Fi for live scoring, and all we have to do is use an extension cord to get power. appointed scorer in 2000. Coincidentally, that four-day match ended before lunch on the fourth day, sparing the scorers further discomfort. And there was no one-day match on the following day. The most unusual box I’ve scored a match in, other than the aforementioned ice-cream truck? Probably the open-sided agricultural show display trailer used as scorers’ accommodation at the cricket ground in Stamford Bridge (rural North Yorkshire, not urban London!). There was plenty of room for the two scorers, but the floor was a bit bouncy. If you were writing when your colleague moved, the chances were that your neat script would be bounced into an untidy scribble. One season, I hosted the three heavyweights of the county Second XI scoring fraternity. No names, no pack drill, but that was fun, anticipating their every movement. Happy 60th, Bob Woodmansee, Berkshire Bob sent us the following – a great effort! I thought you might like to publish a photo of the umpire-themed birthday cake my wife arranged for my 60th birthday last month in your next magazine - isn't it great?! I'd be very happy if you want to share the photo with the readers. It might give them some ideas for a birthday cake of their own! So, here it is! 36 email us at [email protected] contact us on 0121 446 2710