Ian Webb
Ley Hill's answer to Twenty-20 cricket, the Six-a-Side competition, took place for the second time this August Bank Holiday. 8 teams, mostly reappearing from last year's event, entered into the running to be crowned champions. By 11am, as proceedings were getting underway, the patio area was already crowded with people, furniture and collections of empty beer, and the colts were quickly spreading onto the golf course across the road.
The
eight teams fought it out in two groups, with a round-robin stage which
guaranteed every team played at least 3 matches. Each match was 5 overs a side,
a different bowler for each over, and only six on the field at any one time as
Paul Green (pictured left) removed the loophole in the rules after the Crown
Ladies managed to get everyone to field for them in one of their games last
year. In the first group were Terry Rothwell's Strides (Runners-Up the previous year), Tim Kaye's Hathaway, Kings Langley SC A, and the Hen & Chickens. A close contest this one, with Tim's team pulling off the shock of the group. After losing their first two matches, they eased past last year's runners-up, Terry himself suffered the worst punishment as his over disappeared for 28 runs. The only thing that separated Strides and Kings Langley at the top of the group was the fact that Strides had lost one fewer wicket in the competition, and had beaten their top-of-table rivals.
The second group saw last year's Champions the Promising Colts joined by Kings Langley SC B, The Crown and Dad's Army, led by the unflappable Denis McCarthy. Some big hitting in this group saw Andy Rennard (pictured below right) reach a 50 with a huge six, county player Robbie Jones also hit a half-century for the Promising Colts, whilst the top score of the tournament went to Rob "The
Fridge" Thompson, of Dad's Army, who bludgeoned 64 runs in his teams total of
92. This group also came down to the wire, with Dad's Army and the Promising
Colts meeting in the final group game to decide who topped the table. As Dennis
watched on, the "Colts" wrestled the initiative chasing their target and Sohail
Khan hit the winning runs with a couple of balls to spare. The wooden spoon
beckoned for the other two teams, and the game between them saw some diplomatic
umpiring decisions from our own Tom Holman as Kings Langley's Liam, a 10 year
old, fought off the mighty Crown's bowling attack and thoroughly enjoyed
himself.What about the Crown Ladies, I hear you ask. A mid-afternoon interval saw two "friendly" games take place, with the two ladies teams challenged to a game by a team of colts. Scott Peterson's team took on the Crown Ladies, while Stephen Walter's lot played the Dolly Mixtures, who also rejoined us after last year's participation. Some bending of rules and interesting overthrows by Scott's team gave the Crown Ladies a slightly higher total than could have been expected, whilst Stephen's mob were altogether more ruthless against the Dolly Mixtures. Both games ended in simple wins for the colts teams, and some amusement for the crowds of onlookers.
And the final? Well, unfortunately it was too dangerous to play as the light was fading fast even as the final group games finished. It would have been a repeat of last year's final - Strides v Promising Colts - and could still happen at a later date. We'll let you know of the result if the match is played. Both of the table-topping teams were awarded a prize for their efforts at the end of proceedings.
For the whole of Ley Hill Cricket Club, a big "Thank You" goes out to the players for the great entertainment they provided during the day, making the event the success it was. Thanks must also go out to the 'backroom staff' who all helped in some way, whether it be by umpiring, scoring, or manning the barbecue and the bar - without them the day could not have gone ahead. And of course finally we thank Paul Green, who came up with the format for the tournament, invited teams and organised proceedings on the day.
And after the tournaments of the last two years, who knows what could happen next year? You'll have to wait to find out..