Wield vs Rioteers, Sunday 15th September
Weather - Noah would have felt at home!!
Match summary – Only Wield would have played for so long!!
The day dawned wet. Not raining, but one of those mid-September days that are just wet, damp, dank and a signal for the coming of Autumn. Ever the optimists Wield gathered and the Rioteers arrived. With ten men on the field Wield opened the bowling. It was cold too, and the famous Upper Wield mistral began to blow. Rupert joined the team at 2.30, replete from lunch. The rain started at 3.
The ground was damp but no need for covers as the mistral blew the rain horizontally across the ground. At one end behind the wicket Tony soon realised his back was soaked. At the other end he could not see the ball as the rain was blowing straight into his eyes. The umpires shook their wet hats and we homeward plodded our weary way. The ground was left to the rain and the glimmering landscape faded on the sight while the Wield bell did not toll the parting of the day. We waited to hear the beetle’s droning flight, but were left with the soft drop of rain from the trees around. The air a solemn stillness held as we waited, and waited.
Opposite from those rugged elms, the yew tree beckoned. “Pub?” Yorkie suggested and not a team to disregard the captain’s call we left the ground. The rain continued on and at four we agreed there was no longer a game to be had. Far from the madding crowd’s ignoble strife, Wield’s cricket wishes never learned to stray. Along the wet sequestered vale of Wield we kept the noiseless tenor of our way, and left.
Rupert Cazalet
[With many apologies to Thomas Gray]
