Continuing the nostalgia theme of my previous blog from July 1996, when I toured the West Midlands and Monmouthshire on what might be called a vintage cricketing journey, we re-start proceedings on day five. The first half of the day was spent at the Bulls Head ground, home of Coventry and North Warwickshire, where Warwickshire seconds were playing Kent seconds. This was day two of a three day match and we had missed a hat-trick by Darren Alltree for Warwickshire on the first day. He was a left arm quick bowler who played regular second team cricket but never quite made it as a first team player. Kent, coached by Alan Ealham, recovered from early set backs to win the game with help from another left armer Tim Wren who took five wickets.
Later in the day we moved on to Old Hill, just in Staffordshire, where the home side were playing Buckinghamshire in a Minor Counties game. This was a low scoring encounter which Bucks eventually won by five wickets. Old Hill has produced several county cricketers of note, none more famous than Warwickshire and England leg spinner Eric Hollies.
Day six was a Nat West Trophy game at New Road between Worcestershire and Hampshire and the hero here was Robin Smith with a wonderful innings of 158, taking the visitors well past 300 in their sixty overs. Worcester never threatened and were bowled out for 203 thanks to Cardigan Connor and Kevin James.
Day seven was a much more light hearted occasion, at yet another new ground, The Bottoms at Pershore, which staged a benefit match for Stephen Rhodes, the Worcestershire wicketkeeper. Back to New Road the following day for another one day Bain Hogg Trophy game with Worcester seconds comfortably beating Glamorgan seconds. Further entertainment was provided on the ground next door where Kings School, Worcester were taking on their old boys' side.
Saturday then provided us with the chance of visiting four league grounds which were all new to me.
Firstly Stourbridge, which used to host county championship games, and also produced many Worcestershire players over the years. Then onto Barnt Green, a very pleasant spot which became a regular second eleven venue. Then Ombersley, just outside Worcester, who ran up a huge score on a ground which also hosted a few Worcester seconds' games. Finally back into Herefordshire to visit the Full Pitcher (name of the pub adjoining the ground) where Ledbury were taking on Knighton in another close encounter..
For me the highlight of the whole trip came the next day with my first ever visit to Brockhampton, a tiny village between Hereford and Ross on Wye, where Herefordshire were playing Wiltshire in the Minor Counties. What a delightful spot, which remains one of my all time favourite grounds and really sold me on the benefits of watching Minor Counties cricket. Only time to watch the first day, but pleased to learn Herefordshire eventually won by just one wicket at the end of the game.
Just one more game to add as we headed for home on the Monday, calling in at Seth Somers Park, Halesowen for yet another second eleven game this time between Worcester and Hampshire. This turned out to be a very high scoring three day game with Hampshire winning by just 38 runs. Liam Botham, son of Ian, made two fifties for Hampshire but star of the show for Worcester was Vikram Solanki with 156. Nice to visit again a ground where I once had the pleasure of playing against the great Eric Hollies, well after he retired from county cricket.
A wonderful holiday visiting some picturesque grounds in the middle of the beautiful countyside of Worcestershire and Herefordshire. Such happy memories which go some way to forgetting the parlous state in which cricket finds itself today.
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