Drovers Cricket Club - A Briefs History by 008 et al

 

The Beginning of Time

It was the summer of 2003 - Beyonce was Dangerously in Love and some newish kid called Roger Federer was about to scorch up the grass courts of SW19.  Heady days.  It was also a time when 2 stallions of sport, Craig W Short and Roy Haycock devised a grand challenge match to end all matches.  Roy, in a rather unique position of owning a cricket pitch and the image rights to a Buzzards team, invited an opposition to the hallowed turf of Bowerswaine.  And so it was, on a humid Saturday 26th July 2003, that the Craig Short President's XI first congregated, taking its stock from old boys of the fine establishments of Cheltenham College and Reading University.

The match itself was first memorable not just beacuse of the 22 fine gentlemen foregathered but also the welcome presence of some girl groupies, a binful of beer and some big beats to walk out to.  Mr Haycock kindly provided some umpiring duties.  The Buzzards' total of about 170 looked to be enough, especially when Shorty departed for 50-odd.  However a monsoon reinvigorated the Drovers' batting and somehow they got closer and closer, the champagne moment being the bat slipping out of Charlie's hand and flying over square leg.  By hook or by crook it got unbearable, and the end result was a tie.

The rest was legendary - pig roast and more booze before the first pilgrimage to the Drovers Inn.  The drinking, games and drinking games continued into dawn and the stage was set for the future.

 

Follow Up

Well it would have been rude not to.  12 months later, on perhaps 24th July 2004, much the same happened again with similar levels of carnage during and after the match.  Only this time the Buzzards won. 

 

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