Hale Barns Devon Tour 2005

This was an eventful tour, with more unexpected events than normal. It included far less cricket than normal, because John Petch brought his usual holiday weather with him. Devon wasn't sunny at all until the last day of the tour, and the two and a half matches that did take place were played under grey, damp skies. It then poured down to wash out the rest of the week. But we still managed to enjoy ourselves.

The first unexpected event happened as soon as we got to Kingsbridge CC and discovered that we were the only ones there. Not our fault, but Throbbin will never rely on written correspondence again. Mobile phones saved the day, as Kingsbridge got a team together for a 25 over game later in the day, as well as the usual superb tea. However, the cream of Hale Barns batting spent the afternoon in the Ring o' Bells, and in an alcohol affected match, after eight overs we were five wickets down for 24. Peter Thorpe missed the last round and scored 42 (hitting every seventh ball for 6) so we scrambled to 99. Molloy and Saddington opened the bowling, they were unable to decide which of the three wickets they could see to aim at, and the Kingsbride score mounted rapidly. The introduction of third team bowlers into the attack stopped the rot, but by then it was too late, and tour started with a resounding six wicket defeat in 15 overs. No one seemed particularly worried, and the fines were massive.

The Monday visit to Cornwood was one of the best touring days ever. We put 208 on the board, and then bowled out a Cornwood team made up largely of Colts and their Pakistani professional for 152, winning by 56 runs. Most of our batsmen scored runs, and Pav was in mesmerising form with the ball. But the best part was the evening session, with Brian Alves in fine voice, and Tony Barter and Dave Molloy leading increasingly well-oiled, crude and noisy exchanges of Cornish and Mancunian drinking songs.

Chagford provided the real highlight in terms of the unexpected. We claimed a victory in an abandoned match on the Duckworth Lewis formula, after Simon Johnson had led us to 245 with a superb 94 and Chagford reached 78 in 17 overs before the drizzle changed to rain. However, it was the sight of Scott and Houghy naked on the top of Chagford Hill, and their appearance on the ground just wearing precariously protective socks thirty minutes later that was the high point of the tour. But Chagford were not amused, especially when Ollie asked the entire club hierarchy whether they'd ever seen a copy of 'Nuts' in this part of Devon. Poor Throbbin got it in the neck from the home management, he grovelled well, all was smoothed over, but we're not going back to what's been a pretty mercenary and not really sociable club over the years.

So much for the cricket. The heavens opened on the Wednesday and we all went off to enjoy losing money at Newton Abbot races. Seamus O'Donnell's bar benefited from our early return, and the new Throbbin and Pav Entertainments Enterprises Inc provided entertainment in the early hours. Next day saw us pitching and putting on and occasionally off the Torre Abbey course, and Seamus O'Donnell's profits holding up well as Elmo's stag night began at about 2.00 pm.

We'll be back in Devon next year for our 29th tour, all club members welcome, decent cricketers especially. If you're thinking of joining us as a new tourist, do let Throbin know as early as possible - we confirm tour numbers with payments on April 1.