SCC Tour 2009
The first Storrington Cricket Club tour for 25 years took place from 23rd to 25th July. Just a two nighter to re-introduce the club to touring with two matches scheduled (although this became one due to bad weather).
The destination
The tour base was Taunton, specifically the Crown and Sceptre Inn, just a stones throw from the County Ground.
2009 Tour Party
Phil "Ned" Pickard - Chairman
Bill "Aching head" Aitkenhead - Acting tour treasurer
Martin "Gilly" McKilligin - Driver, umpire and player
Mike "Perry" Groves
Graham "Gus" Humphreys
Matt "Tuffers" Talbot
Simon "FW" Furlonger
Rob "Beacon" Norris
Dan "Snugs" Le Roux
Dan "Ned's youngest" Pickard
Steve "Teenage Dirtbag" Wheatley
Matt "Ned's eldest" Pickard
Simon "Snert" Haggart
Mark "Ed" Haggart
Iain "Son of Ed" Haggart
Chris "Rinky" Winter
Tour review
The Swans first tour for almost a quarter of a century passed off with a mixture of revelry, ladish banter, a few drinks and just a little bit of cricket. One of the two scheduled matches had already fallen victim to the weather before the tour had even pulled out of The Recreation Ground car park at 8am on Thursday morning. So with 12 of the tour party and most of their kit and luggage squeezed into the mini bus and Chris Winter and The Family Haggart following in their cars it was first stop Chichester and a drop in to Game Set and Match to pick up some sundry items for the tour. Groves, Furlonger and Norris took the opportunity of an early bacon roll from a greasy burger van, manned by a rather grubby looking individual (this didn't put them off). A short while later the bus was back on the road and arrived in a timely manner without any delays, with the exception of a brief hold up behind a caravan, the owner of which was on the receiving end of 12 obscene gestures when finally there was a straight stretch of road long enough for Gilly to floor it and overtake.
Upon arrival, the group made their way straight to the bar in the Crown and Sceptre - where they were also staying - and ordered up some much needed refreshment. Several pints were consumed followed by a trip across the road to the local fish and chip restaurant. All ideal preparation for the indoor net session and 6-a-side matches that had been hastily arranged at Somerset's County Ground in place of the cancelled match. The Swans 2nd VI won their match before the 1st VI were beaten by a team clearly very experienced in indoor cricket. The players were soon back in the bar before some broke off for a curry whilst others ate on the go, keen to explore what Somerset had to offer of an evening. The Black Horse turned out to be a Manchester United supporters den with pictures of Alex Fergusons blotchy red face all over the walls. Needless to say, three Liverpool supporters and a Leeds man didn't stay in there very long.
The group reconvened in the Perkin and Warbeck which appeared to be the hub of night life in Taunton on a Thursday night. Young Iain Haggart was smuggled past the doormen in the middle of a group of 10 - although he looked older than most of the teenagers in the place anyway - and the Swans made a temporary drinking nest at the back of the bar. The drinks flowed but it was largely kept under control with the players aware that they had a big match in the Quantocks the next day. Talbot pushed the boat out a little further than most and lost his and room-mate Dan Le Roux's key. Snert found the key and although he hung onto it for a while to prolong Matt's search he was perhaps slightly undeserving of the tirade of abuse that he subsequently received when he reunited the key with it's relieved owner. At least half of the tour party made their way to Morrissons for breakfast the following morning and several partook of a stroll around Taunton before meeting for the journey to what had become the only match of their tour. A spot of lunch in the local pub when down very nicely - Debs home-made burgers were excellent - but Furlonger was not so impressed with his king prawns with sweet chilly sauce, which he seemed surprised to find came with sweet chilly sauce. A 12-a-side match was agreed to involve as many people as possible and the Swans batted first on a damp track after the morning downpour. It was a family affair as Iain Haggart opened the batting with Uncle Nerty. A slow start left the Swans playing catch up having gone at little over 2 an over for the first 20. In form Matt Talbot added some momentum with a brisk 70 with support from Graham Humphries. A total of 185 represented a respectable recovery but it was never likely to be enough if a couple of the Over Stowey batsmen got in. Matt Pickard gave the travelling Swans hope with a great opening burst to leave the hosts 20 for 3 but a couple of half centuries in the middle order including one from Simon "Chuckle", "Brother of Ned" Pickard saw the home side home.
Cans of lager and food from the barbeque were guzzled before a trip to the local social club and several jugs of lager. Bill then navigated the mini bus back through the country lanes to the Crown and Sceptre to prepare for the final big night out of the tour. The big night out never really happened. Talbot who had agitated heavily for a big session went AWOL and was found fully clothed, fast asleep in his bed. The majority of the party saw it through to closing time in the Crown and Sceptre before all heading to the neighbouring Domino's pizza. Mike Groves was seen carrying several pizzas back to the Crown and Sceptre with the rest of the Swans behind him like rats following the Pied Piper. Norris and Furlonger were the last men standing but the Perkin and Warbeck was clearly a Thursday night venue as it was pretty dead on the Friday. The final two Swans made their way back to the nest with kebabs in their beaks and the bus hit the road on time the following morning for the return journey with everybody present and a surprising lack of hangovers.
In summary, it was a highly enjoyable couple of days away and a great way for the club to dip it's toe back into the waters of cricket tours. There will be an appetite for a repeat next year. The Isle of Wight has been touted as a possible venue although the ever adventurous Chris Winter is keen on the Swans spreading their wings and hitting the continent.
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