BARBADOS OVER 50s

INTERNATIONAL SENIORS FESTIVAL 2003

(2) The next game was against the tournament favourites Barbados who were made up of a full contingent of ex-first class cricketers and two test cricketers. In their previous game Barbados had scored just under 300 in 35 overs and England West were expecting the worst. However, the England West bowlers including Matten and Howard soon put the brakes on the star studded Barbados side and after ten overs they only had 25 runs on the board and 72 runs after 20 overs. However, Lawrence Mapp and Brian Clark decided that the best way to score runs on a very slow outfield was to hit the ball out of the ground and this they did on a regular basis. Mapp was eventually out for 78 having hit numerous sixes and fours to all parts of the ground. All his sixes were hit twenty to thirty yards past the boundary and Barbados eventually financed on 181 for 5 which was an outstanding achievement considering the conditions. Phil Matten was the pick of the bowling with 7 overs, 2 wickets, 25 runs, with Brent Howard bowling 7 overs, 0 wickets, 23 runs. In reply Theedom opened the batting and scored a fine 22 with Richard Coe joining him who eventually scored 27. After ten overs of batting Theedom was clearly knackered and he simply could not lift his bat and was castled by a straight one from Lewis. Nothing further was heard from Theedom for at least half an hour while he disappeared under a cold shower. After being 51 for 1 off 15 overs unfortunately the England West batsmen simply couldn't cope with the heat and humidity and eventually collapsed to 103 all out but Barbados had been given an early fright.

After the game the usual awards and exchanges of memorabilia were carried out and many friends made in the clubhouses. Not only that but Banks bitter was drunk in abundance. It was pleasing to see Sir Everton Weeks appearing at all our games to watch lengthy parts of cricket and the whole tournament was very well supported by the Barbados Cricket Association.

The third game played was during the second week when Trinidad and Tobago were our opponents. They too had got a full island representative team and had not lost in the tournament so far. Having now become somewhat acclimatised the England West side fancied their chances of an upset. However, England West once again lost the toss and had to field in extreme conditions and after 10 overs Trinidad & Tobago were 63 for 0 wicket. However, with the introduction of Stanton into the attack wickets then regularly fell and Trinidad & Tobago finished on 162 for 8 with Stanton 7 overs, 3 wickets, 24 runs.

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