After a humiliating defeat to the Hare and Hounds last week, Glossop Vets had the chance to right the wrongs of a poor performance as they faced up again against the Hare. The vibe felt different in the changing room, every man felt on it and knew they had to improve on their own performances from last week. Glossop welcomed Charley Ingham and Lewis Allen for their Vets debuts, and both brought youthful banter and energy to the team – Lewis in particular who was digging out his dad, Jay, from minute 1. Glossop won their 5th consecutive toss and again elected to field.

Glossop opened the bowling with Mark Littlewood and Charley Ingham. Littlewood kept it tight, but it was Ingham who made the big break through with a speedy good length delivery that took out the middle stump of danger man Chris Coll. Coll made the vets pay last week, so this was a big wicket and the team new it. 

Ted Michell and Lewis Allen combined to bowl the next 4. Allen causing issues with his mercurial spin and Mitchell bowling fast, heavy deliveries. Both kept it tight, Glossop’s fielding was excellent also, Kirkham in particular who’s kneecap took a beating and will be having long barrier training this week, but the Hare had been restricted to only 3 boundaries in the opening 8 overs.

Steve Kirkham and Rick Ingham bowled the middle overs. Kirkham only giving away 9 singles and well backed up by Ingham who looked back to his best with the ball. Only 2 more boundaries were conceded from the set of 4 and Glossop realistically had a chance to restrict the Hare to 120 or less. Although the runs were being kept in check, the wickets were hard to come by but Glossop did have a chance of a run out, the Hare went for a quick single, Kirkham pounced, Wilde behind the stumps set himself, the throw came in a little to the right of the stumps, it looked like Wilde had poured himself a shot of gin and necked it before he took the catch, as he took the catch, lost balance and couldn’t quite reach the stumps with his gloves with the Hare batter well out of his crease….but the Vets were causing panic in the Hare batting order and it was surely a matter of time until the breakthrough came.

Dave Wilde and Colin Taylor bowled the penultimate set of 4. Wilde bringing control and a variation of pace and Taylor who appeared to have gotten over the bowling yips from last week and it was Taylor who made the breakthrough. A good length delivery bounced a little more and caught the top edge of Steve Marsh’s bat, the ball sent high above Andy Wildes head. Wilde had to turn, set himself and followed the flight perfectly and took an excellent catch behind the stumps. It felt like the Vets were on top.

Jay Allen and Lewis Calvert bowled the last 4 and both made an impact. Calvert first, a lovely delivery that was punched up into the sky by the younger, more talented and more athletic Marsh, and was caught by Allen at mid-on.

Allen then getting in on the act, another top edge and another excellent catch by Wilde behind the stumps, again back pedalling, turning and plucking it out of the sky. The very next ball caused further drama as the Hare went for a quick single and some excellent fielding brought about a run out, Wilde talking off the bails and Glossop Vets had restricted the Hare to 121 for 5.

Glossop’s performance in the field was excellent, a complete contrast to last week. Every man played their part, every man put in a big performance…. but the job was only half done.

History tells us there have been some excellent brotherly partnerships…. Charlton, Waugh, Chuckle…. But Glossop have the Wilde brothers, and they were sent out to open and start Glossop’s chase. Ken had turned up to see this momentous occasion and he wouldn’t be disappointed. Both started strong, with intent and powerful running between the wickets. The singles were flowing and Glossop were easily keeping up with the run rate without needing boundaries.

Dave Wilde was just starting to dominate the bowling when he got a full toss and holed out to midwicket. Andy Wilde remained, and continued to manoeuvre the ball around the field, racking up the runs. He was joined by Jay Allen who continued the good work of the younger Wilde. Glossop’s running between the stumps was excellent, the first run was always ran hard, the talking btw batsman was spot on…everything we missed last week. Andy Wilde continued to make the Hare bowlers pay and brought up his 25, just in time as on his last quick single it looked like his hamstring popped, but an excellent innings from Glossop’s opener had set the Vets on their way.

Kirkham and his aching patella joined Allen at the crease. Kirkham has found it hard with the bat this year, his new bat I might add, and it was nice to see it being used to get some runs… another tough night and it might have been firewood tomorrow, but Kirkham dug in and started finding the gaps.

Allen had raced to 14 before getting a quicker delivery that jumped on him a bit, and forced him to stop his shot mid-way, which unfortunately popped the ball up to mid-wicket and Allen was back in the shed. Lewis Calvert was next out. Lewis always performs with bat for the Vets, but he found it a little tough to get going. Just as he was finding his rhythm he got a fast straight delivery from Chris Coll and was bowled. Calvert wasn’t happy.

Charley Ingham was next in, but it didn’t last long, 4 balls later he was caught, bringing his dad, Rick Ingham to the crease. Big Ingham seeing this as a chance to outdo his son, looked composed striding out to the middle. The local Woman’s Institute had turned out in big numbers to watch their pin up boy but they left bitterly disappointed as Ingham got a first baller and was bowled through the gate. Something tells me there will be some serious practise in the Inghams gardens this week.

Glossop were wobbling a bit but were still insight of the run rate. Colin Taylor came to the crease and started well, running hard with his fellow Glossopdale Harrier member, Kirkham, pushing for 2s and 3s. Taylor hit some boundaries and got to 26 not out in quick time off just 13 balls and Glossop were insight of victory.



Lewis Allen came to the crease and kept up the intensity, unfortunately for him Kirkham was blowing a bit after all his running and turned down a quick second and Allen was run out. Allen didn’t seem happy and had some words with Kirkham, but Kirkham kept his head, played the anchor role and kept things moving. Mark Littlewood walked out to try finish things off. Him and Kirkham got it down to the final over. Glossop needing 3 of the last 6 balls. 

The first ball Littlewood left outside off stump which caused some concerning looks on the terrace, but the next ball Littlewood punched though midwicket and the duo scampered for 3 runs and brought Glossop vets the victory they deserved. 

Every player played their part in this victory and standards were where they should be. Fielding was excellent, bowling was on point and batting was aggressive but measured. Running between the wickets was the best it’s been for the Vets team and they will hope to keep these standards up the rest of the season… and at the same time had a great laugh doing it.

Man of the Match – Andy Wilde

Glossop’s wicketkeeper let a few byes past him which I know he will want to work on, but he took 2 excellent catches, got a run out and batted superbly at the top of the order finishing on 25 not out. A great night’s work.