Tour 1999

Everyone decided to travel separately to our new destination of Doniford Bay. Simon Parsons and Kevin Davey in one car, Shaun Janman and Baz Crouch in another. Mick Nicholas travelled down with Brian Still and this pairing took a detour to find the new grounds.

The pub at Sampford Arundel made a good stop for refreshment and a chat with the landlady ensured that we were expected the following day for a meal after the match.

By the time we had found the Fitzhead ground and pub it was creeping up to check-in time. The mobile phone rang and Kevin informed us that most of our party had indeed arrived at Haven's park.

It took around another 45 minutes before the intrepid pair reached the road into Haven. We heard the lads in the bar so we booked in collected our keys before making our way to the chalets.

A quick look around and we returned to the bar where we met up with Gerald, Simon, Shaun, Motty, Ray, Kevin, Barry C, Barry W and Tom. This group was in the middle of a pop quiz, playing with three other families. This was our introduction to life at Haven! The quiz was then marked and we came third I believe.

David Croydon and his girlfriend Lisa were still to arrive as were the Platts, Jim, Amanda and Jonathon. Jim arrived followed by David and joined us in the bar. Mick and I had decided that the two noisiest chalets should be in the middle of our group of four and with this in mind keys were distributed. We then proceeded to our chalets and emptied the cars of suitcases, bags and various other bits and pieces.

Shaun, Gez, Simon, Tom and Kev immediately thought of food and a quick trip to the shop enabled them to have a quick, but large fry-up! It was at this point that the smoke alarm in their chalet began emitting an awful racket! The ghost of " Hadders" was with us or so it seemed. The memory of the '98 tour remained with us!

Beach cricket was mentioned and it was agreed to meet on the sand after the lads had eaten their food. Ray thought that was going to be difficult as the sand was in fact rocks. Brian and Mick walked to the beach but as Ray had said the beach was very rocky and the lads nowhere to be seen.

Returning to the chalet proved fruitless in the search for the beach cricketers and a walk around the site eventually tracked down a familiar voice or two coming from the artificial sports area. The game of beach cricket had moved inland.

The match was in full swing and it was seen that we had a new member of the party. Left hand over the wicket 12 year-old Ash had our batsmen in all sorts of trouble (they will dispute this of course). This match drew an audience at one stage and the two or three member crowd enjoyed the game, although somewhat mystified by the play.

It was here that the first real laughter was heard, as Gez lifted his bat high and proceeded to hit the back of his head with it! Barry C's fielding was unfortunately not a highlight but Ray managed to score his first runs of the season here. Kevin Davey proved that counting was difficult and someone that called Slim " her" survived. It was also noted that as Shaun went to bat, someone called out that it would take his usual 4 days to play himself in.

Mick and Barry W decided to drive to Minehead and enjoy the usual meal at the Carvery. Most stayed behind and eventually made their way to the Harlequin club where we found ourselves at the bar. We were very much the only group visible in the club and the security guys made themselves known.

The park was a very family orientated site and children were there until the club closed at 12 o'clock. We were quite subdued in this environment but before we left, a rendition of a couple of songs was made. It was remarked that the " Stilly shuffle" might have been seen again. We all returned quietly to our chalets and while some of us retired, others continued their evening in one of the chalets.

Tuesday morning came and it was not long before Tom's name was mentioned. Apparently he woke up and then in his sleeping bag bounced out of bed straight into the wall with a resounding noise. He then asked to go outside and was helped to the door, which was closed behind him. Of course at this point he wanted to come back inside and so, once more, the door was opened.

The morning fry-up was under way in the SJ chalet, as it was next door where Richard, Barry, Ray and Motty were also busy cooking. Soon the " Ghost of Hadders" was heard again, not once but twice, as both chalets produced the same noise.

Gez was seen sitting at the table playing Patience whilst others were cooking his breakfast. Meanwhile Brian was making tea or rather he was not, because he forgot to switch the kettle on! Silly Stilly! Gez asked for a paper so that he could solve a crossword but someone suggested the " Beano" instead. Poor old Gez!

After breakfast Ray returned from the shop with a Frisbee and soon most of us had joined in to throw the said item. Someone managed to " place" the Frisbee neatly on the roof of a chalet. Tom was summoned to retrieve it and standing on Gez and Motty managed to do so with the aid of a broom.

Oh Dear! Tom Benham with the help of Gez Brown and " Motty" retrieve the Frisbee from a neighbours roof.

Retreiving the Frisbee from a neighbours roof!

A spot of catching practice was also carried out with the aid of the beach cricket gear. After a while throwing himself about on the ground catching the ball Gez suddenly realised that he was wearing his best gear and decided to change. Of course the lads returned to the chalets as soon as he was changed and ready for more catching. Poor old Gez!

Another game

Now where is that ball?

We met in plenty of time for the journey to Sampford Arundel and with Brian at the head, we moved off to meet Roger who was staying at Butlins with his family. Of course, best laid plans and all that, Roger was not there at the meeting place! After waiting for some time the convoy left Kevin behind in case Roger turned up. At Willington there was still no sign of the errant Roger, and so the convoy once again waited while Brian returned to Haven, only to find that Kevin has disappeared! Almost immediately Kevin returned saying that he had popped back into Haven in case we missed Roger there. It was decided that the convoy should continue to Sampford Arundel whilst Kevin did a quick round trip to the West after which he would catch us up.

Returning to Willington, Brian picked up Mick, who had been dropped off in case Roger turned up there and rejoined the convoy once again. Moving off, a quick glance in the mirror and who should bring up the rear? Yes, Roger had turned up at last.

Kevin then rings and is told that all is well and to catch us up. We met David and Lisa on the road and Brian decided to wait so that we are all together. Sitwell saw David join at the back and decided to move off again - with a bus in between him and the rest of the cars! A bit later on Kevin appears and Stilly did it again, this time two cars between him and the rest.

Upon arrival at the ground we inspected the wicket and changed for the game. Sampford Arundel batted first and started well scoring 23 for the opening wicket. A stand of 65 saw the score reach 88 before their third wicket fell, but then wickets fell regularly until the last at 118. Ray Slaughter bowled well for his 4 wickets for 18 (a tour best) and Shaun collected 3 victims.

Andy Mott, skipper for the day, had been told to open as part of his duties and with Kevin, the Ansty innings began. Andy unfortunately is bowled for 4 early on but Mick joined Kevin and together they knock off the runs required without further loss. Mick finished on 54 n.o. and Kevin 42 n.o.

The Blue Ball Inn was the venue for our meal and the touring party enjoyed good food and drink. Barry Crouch, ever helpful and such a " nice bloke" decided that he would help the chef and distribute the salt and pepper pots. This turned out to be not such a good idea as inadvertently, he jostled the chefs arm with his elbow and two plates of food were dropped to the floor - via Gez's back! Poor old Gez! Replacement food was brought in and the meal passed without any more incidents.

We arrived back at Haven and once more found our way to the club where the entertainment was in full swing! A peculiar act (probably the best way to describe it) was on stage and it was not to our taste. A few bevies were consumed before we eventually returned to our chalets. A card school was soon under way in one chalet, whilst those not participating, retired for the night.

The following day was still bright but we were not very lively, well that is everyone except Barry C who suddenly ran out of his chalet and disappeared behind it. The reason was whilst Barry was opening a window, it fell off its hinges and he was trying, successfully, to refit it!

We went to the bar where the first semi-final of the Cricket World Cup was on the big screen We watched this and played mini ten-pin bowling which took us to departure time for Fitzhead. Everyone was ready for the off except Sitwell who was in a panic! Now just where did he leave those keys? Not content in losing his car keys last year he's only managed to do it again! This year he had three sets of kit locked in the boot and he was one of only two people who knew where the ground was. Happily he found them in the bar where he had sat drinking a coffee. The troops moved off only a few minutes late to meet Roger.

This time Roger was found without any trouble and the convoy made their way through very narrow country lanes to Fitzhead. We arrived before the locals and gained access to the ground by opening the gate. As the opposition started arriving we spotted a familiar face, a player from yesterday's match! This player informed us that he was also playing against us when we meet Brompton Ralph.

Ansty batted first and totalled 184 all out, Ray Slaughter top scoring with 35. Slim and Richard contested " the big hit" which Richard won by a mile, losing a ball in a garden after only 7 overs. After an excellent tea Fitzhead knocked off the runs required for the loss of 6 wickets. That man Ray Slaughter was once again the most successful bowler having taken 2 for 21 off 8 overs.

The meal in the Fitzhead Inn was superb and Barry C was noted sitting quietly out of the way. Our return to Haven was uneventful and once more Harlequins' was the venue for the evening.

" Magic Mark" was performing and this was slightly better than the previous night's entertainment. We, by now, were well known to most at Haven and during this show, four adults were asked to go and help with a levitation act. " Magic Mark" had picked out the Ansty lads to assist him. Motty, Richard, Kev and Barry C were asked to sit on four chairs and Mark made sure they were sitting correctly. He then removed all four chairs one after the other until the four were only supported by themselves. Really rather clever. At the end of this entertainment the four were asked to go back on stage and collect their Haven certificate. The same certificate that " Magic Mark" had been handing out to the kids earlier. I wonder if our four still have them? Afterwards it was back to the chalets and the card school once more got under way.

Thursday morning came and everyone was feeling the wear and tear of touring. Cards were played after breakfast and then we set off once more to the bar where, once again, cricket was on the box. More games of mini ten-pin bowling, a drink or two and then it was off to Brompton Ralph. Kevin had already left for home

The lads entertain themselves with a game of cards.

The lads entertain themselve with a game of cards.

Roger was already there, although not playing, with Jim Pluckrose. We made our way across the ground to the pavilion. Barry C was feeling a bit under the weather and was seen carrying what Shaun described his security blanket.

Several visits to the rear of the pavilion ensued before we began our innings, batting first. Sitwell was the surprise choice for opener this time and with David they made their way to the square where our friend from the previous two days was waiting to bowl. The first ball was short and backing away Stilly guided the ball to third man for a four. Next ball was a full toss and struck Stilly on the forearm but undeterred batted on only to receive a painful blow on the inside thigh.

Soon after Stilly was on the way back to the pavilion. Richard must like this ground it didn't take him long before he was striking the ball well to score 108, supported by Slim (34) and Shaun (27). Ansty finished on 257-6 and thoughts of another victory are mentioned.

After tea we took the field but all was not well. We fielded and bowled as though we had been drinking for a couple of days! Only Barry C, now feeling much better, bowled well taking 2 for 48 off 8 overs. One bowler went for 40 runs off 3.2 overs! We won't name him (but you can look him up on the scorecard!).

Brompton Ralph raced to victory losing only 4 wickets in the process. The barbecue was served and we noted that most of the opposition had departed already. This was because on the following day, the Annual Pig Roast was to be held and work was going on to prepare for the event.

Back to the Club where the entertainment was provided by a Welsh singer/comedian. Not too bad. Farewells were given to Ash who seemed to be disappointed that we were leaving in the morning, probably the only one!

A spot of dancing

One final farewell at the club with
Andy Mott & Kevin Davey showing the way.

Brian and Mick left earlier than most to visit a hotel that provides accommodation for Cricket tours. The rest packed up and departed for home.