report by DRB

An early start at OCC (enough time needed for Jake to do his hair) and spirits were again high for the annual trek across the pennines to face the best that Blackpool could offer. The 17 that had paid deposits was by 10am down to 13 as numerous reasons were discovered for last minute withdrawls including Coco missing out on his 24 Jesters tour because of a dicky back !  Spirits were improved when it was discovered that Barnsley stalwart Dave Clayton had got his days mixed up & already arrived in Blackpool by train a day early & had spent a night "warming up".

New boy Bernard "carling darling" Hall was only here for the beer & 80s veteran Dave Walker had pulled fetlock in his sleep so the only fit 11 men had to take on the might of St Annes who this year included 8 of the current first XI including current pro Toby Bulcock, the minor counties player, who is a fine cricketer but it seems may have forgotten to take his "medication" that morning !!!

With such a strong opposition it was decided that the home team would have a bat first & on the small ground & road of a pitch it proved to be carnage. The umpires arms must have been aching at the end of the innings after signalling all the boundries. When an early wicket was required ageing slipper Bell dropped a regulation slip catch from the unfortunate Andy Rhodes (who had his own dropsies later in the innings) & these lads don't need a second invitation to make runs.

Egged on by the home teams pro the Jesters made a spirited reply without ever threatening victory with Bell rounding off his game by hitting a six into his own car !  Better performances were expected for the rest of the week , on & off the pitch !

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