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FRIDAY 22 JUNE 2001
Matthew Mott reports on highly enjoyable times for Lancashire's Australian contingent
Matthew Mott reports from Rawtensall in the heart of Lancashire:
Since I reported in last, the Aussies have arrived in town. And, for the moment, all that English optimism for this year's Ashes has seemingly disappeared.
Only weeks ago, the Poms were cock-a-hoop about their chances of running over the top of the Aussies this year. A couple of poor one-day performances and suddenly they have switched alliances and are talking up the British Lions rugby tour of Australia. It would be fair enough if they had some clue about the game. But, in this area, soccer is a religion and I'm sure most of the people around Rawtenstall wouldn't know what a rugby ball looked like let alone how to play with it!!!
I have been playing lots of golf of late and have managed to relieve a couple of my compatriots of their hard-earned pounds. I have had a couple of hits with Brad Young, Shaun Young, Matt Nicholson and Clinton Perren. The latter three and I played in a golf day recently and we were a little generous with our handicaps (in hindsight). Matthew Nicholson racked up an unheard-of 42 stableford points off a handicap of 18. Luckily, we had been booked in for dinner elsewhere and missed the presentation awards, but to say our name was mud was a gross understatement. I am sure there must have been a field of thousands that day with the amount of people who have since come up to me and called myself and Nico 'burglars'.
Last week provided a great opportunity to catch up with the Aussies as they took on England at Old Trafford in Lancashire. It was really just an Australian reunion with a game of cricket on the side. An absolutely packed house filled the ground and every Australian state and grade cricketer within a 300 mile radius was there to give their support. It was a magnificent experience to watch the Aussies take on the Old Enemy on foreign soil. Being over here brings to the fore that "good ol' Aussie pride", and people from vastly different parts of Australia who would never normally associate with each other suddenly gell together as if they have been friends for a lifetime.
No doubt most of you either saw the game live or saw the results, but at the interval the Aussies in the crowd were copping a bit of grief from some over zealous English supporters. These same (fair weather) supporters were seen sneaking out about 15 overs into the England innings. After the game we caught up with a few of the Australian boys in the hotel bar for a couple of quiet drinks. The tour for the one-dayers is a hectic one and most of the players had a quiet night ready to roll on to Durham the next day. The same can't be said for yours truly and company; we weren't about to waste an opportunity like that.
The club for which I play, Rawtenstall, is currently enjoying a strong run and we are in fourth position on the table at the moment. In front of us are Bacup (Shaun Young), East Lancs (Brad Young) and Rishton (Clinton Perren). The Lancashire League this year is a very even competition with no easy games; it will be interesting to see who comes out on top with 16 games still left to play.
I was lucky enough to watch my Victorian teammate Brad Hodge singlehandedly win the Interleague cup tie versus Middleton on Sunday. A few of us Rawtenstall boys slipped over to watch Hodgey amass 118 not out when his side chased 197 on a tough wicket. The victory was a very sweet one as they needed 50 off six overs with only two wickets in hand. Then Hodgey turned it on and Ramsbottom won with five balls to spare and won me "a fiver" in the process.
Before I sign off, Rawtenstall CC is having a Sportsmans' Dinner on either the 13th, 20th or 27th of July and we require a guest speaker. If anyone knows of someone appropriate that could help out on the night, please contact the club on 01706 225 913.
Until next time, take it easy
Matthew Mott
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More Postcards
WEDNESDAY 9 MAY 2001
An agonising end: Matthew Mott ponders the narrow divide between victory and defeat in the Pura Cup
THURSDAY 1 MARCH 2001
Hopes of a strong run home: Matthew Mott on the Bushrangers' Pura Cup mission
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