A Fond Farewell

It seems to me that sitting here once again jumper clad and at severe risk of frostbite the cricket season is drawing to a close and the inevitability of the turning of the season is upon us. It should not be left to go un-noticed however, that as the leaves begin to turn and warm summer evenings turn to chilly evenings snuggled by the fire, that we are to say goodbye to the longest serving member of our team.

The ‘players’ has been the home of Eynsham cricket for as long as I can remember and though at a mere 27 I am not as long in the tooth as many, the memories I hold will not fade as rapidly as a well manicured strip. Before becoming enveloped in the folds of ECC I remember as a child riding down to the players and playing with my friends as 22 bizarrely white clad men scuttled round after a small red ball. Cricket was unfamiliar to me then and I must admit some of it still is, but as far as I’m concerned it has become my ‘beautiful game’.

I could go on for a very long time about 100’s scored, wickets skittled, superb run outs and wonderful catches but somehow scores and results fail to tell the story. Friendships kindled, jokes shared and many idiotic conversations are what made it for me.

Whilst people make a team beautiful surroundings are a must, aged oak trees, a passing dog walker and a baying donkey! As the light fades on the final game and the crack of willow on leather fades into the distance I would like to wish a very fond farewell to ‘our field’.

May you not fade into insignificance and be kindly tended again.

Liz Hingley