After a week off, Glossop Vets were about to engage in their toughest week of the season, with 3 away games in the space of 7 days, starting with Hadfield away, the old enemy. Unlike modern day footballers, the vets didn’t moan but turned up full of confidence and full of attacking belief and in hope that Teds hamstrings would at least last the first game.

The air was slightly smoky and the pitch bone dry, but after winning the 6th successive toss, Glossop again choose to field first knowing that Hadfield would possibly post a big score, but the vets confident they had enough in the tank to chase down anything.

Unfortunately due to the bad handwriting by Hadfield’s scorer and the fact I had a Stella 2 hours prior to the start, the bowling memories are a little hazy, but Glossop opened up with Mark Littlewood and Tim Halpin. Littlewood struck with his 3rd ball, a rank full toss that was caught by Calvert, removing Hadfield’s captain. Halpin was steady at the football pitch end but anything off the bat was racing to the boundary.

Ted Mitchell and Phil Hagerty were next up, both bowling with pace and precision. Mitchell was the pick of the bowlers going for only 7 runs and the scorebook states Hagerty got a wicket but I cant remember it...was it a run out? Either way its in the book so will count towards his average.

Jon and Sam Alder – Back from his 3 week babysitting stint, were next up and it was Alder who was causing issues and struck with a full length delivery and removed the bails.  Hadfield were looking good for about 150 but on this wicket...would that be enough?

The Steves, Page and Kirkham were next. Hadfield were still on the attack and were hitting out. The book states Page got a wicket...I think it was caught on the boundary by Halpin?  But also Kirkham took one, with his last ball, he fired it down leg side, the batsman swivelled and knowing that he had to face Calvert in the last 4 overs, just hit his own stumps and was on his way back to the pavilion.

Lewis Calvert and Colin Taylor bowled the last 4 and were the most economical pair, no wickets but only 16 runs off them. Hadfield were slowed a bit towards the end and finished on 130 for 6.

The Stella must have worn off by this stage as Glossop’s batting innings is easier to remember.  After his first stint on TV, Glossop’s watersport enthusiast, Phil Hagerty, opened the batting with Lewis Calvert.  Hagerty's wife states he only has one mode, hard and fast, and that’s exactly how he started in the middle.  Hagerty smashed a massive six and 3 4s, to race to 25 not out and retired.  Backed up superbly by Calvert who scored 20. Glossop had flown out the box and were in a strong position after only 4 overs.

Mitchell and Alder were soon at the crease.  Mitchell with some excellent shot making but not getting his just deserves after finding the fielders on the boundary but still finished with 10 before getting caught out.  Alder went straight on the attack, The Vets Way, but unfortunately got caught first ball...the late nights making catching up with him, but he’ll come again.

Taylor was in at 5 and started strong with a pair of 4s before a massive six to the College boundary. Halpin joined him at the crease but was out for 2. Page came in at 7 and continued the fast scoring.  Taylor retired on 26, Page started hitting the boundaries with 4 4s and continued the flow of runs.  Page also retired on 26, making it 4 of Glossop’s batsmen to get the retired mark this season, a good sign for the upcoming week.

Littlewood had a quick cameo before nicking one to the keeper. This left Andy Wilde and Steve Kirkham at the crease to win the game, a position they’ve been in before, and never failed. And they didn’t fail this time, Kirkham nudging a few singles but Wilde, smashing 2 4s to clinch the game with 2 overs to spare.

In the end this seemed like a comfortable win, but the strong attacking intent early on really set Glossop off to the right start and there was really only 1 outcome.

Man of the Match – Phil Hagerty.  Good bowling on his return but explosive with the bat at the top of the order set Glossop on the path to victory.

A Great win, now time to rest before a double header on Tuesday and Wednesday. Get the yoga done and enjoy the weekend.

UP THE VETS 🏏🍺