Views From the Scorebox
MCCA Trophy match at Wargrave CC in May.
In the below image on the left, Carl Kneale, Berkshire CCC First XI Scorer and on the right, Chris Cox, Oxfordshire First XI Scorer. In the background is Bob Woodmansee, an ECB ACO umpire and Wargrave CC committee member, who was scoreboard operator on the day.
The award for the most unusual view from a scorebox to date goes to the ice-cream truck / scorebox at Salle Church Cricket Ground in Norfolk.
Have you seen a more unusual scorebox? Let us know on the usual address.
A Poem About Umpiring
Oh! To be an umpire as each season bowls around The jaunty smile, the sparkling eyes The stroll into the ground A boundary check, a look up at the sky‘ Everyone here? Let’ s go then. Local rules apply’
The coin is tossed, the captains decide Then out to the middle at a steady pace New ball taken, signal to start Fielders all in place An early appeal‘ Sorry to trouble you, but was that out, LBW?’
A shake of the head, no finger raised And just a hint of a smile
‘ Playing a stroke, pitched outside leg, and missing the stumps by a country mile!’
Later, a cry for caught behind‘ Not out and that is time for lunch, gentlemen.’
Into the pavilion for fresh egg rolls
And the village butcher’ s ham which is followed by quenching hot cups of tea
And a piece of Victoria sandwich.
Play resumes, catches are taken The wickets are broken down Spectators applaud and chat away As the teams change hopefully round
End of the day, wickets removed Scores checked and certified right Handshakes and grumbles, compliments too Then off to the pub for the night
A last lingering look at the cricket field As the sun goes slowly down Oh! The joys of being an umpire As each game comes around.
Richard Powell
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