Jersey Festival Update: 9/4/09
THE HIGHLIGHT OF many Jersey trips is often the gastronomic journey the players travel as they navigate their way through multi-course menus and unfamiliar implements such as knives and forks. And this year is no exception. Many players were disappointed when their choice of starters (hors d'oevres) didn't turn out to be relatives of Red Rum.
The evening's entertainment was an energetic trip to the Jersey Bowl. There were more strikes than a French farming union and competition was high. Daniel Boyce came out on top
with a dizzying tally of 124. Whilst Reno Turner ended the night as Strike
King. With a late arrival back at H.Q., the squad were
quickly asleep.
Clear Skies
The skies cleared to welcome the onset of Thursday but with temperatures remaining fresh, Barking & Dagenham faced up to South Birmingham with determination to turn the week's disappointing form around.
Four minutes and two corners later, the lads were two down to a pair of carbon copy set-pieces.
Despite injuries and tiring bodies, Barking & Dagenham gave their best
but were always chasing the game. Two more goals later on were cruel but
Alfie Malbon provided a bright moment when he came on as an outfield
substitute and went on a mazy run.
The culinary education of the players suffered a setback at lunchtime when burgers and fries were on the menu. Every boy feasted like it was his last ever meal, licking fingers, plates and any other ketchup-laiden surface available.
The afternoon activity was a trip to the beach at Greve de Leq. A babbling stream (or possibly sewage outpipe) has provided hours of focused endeavour from many a District side but the favoured activity today was cricket.
Kinky
The pace attack of Little and Large (or Tilley and Turner) ran riot
through the brittle batting line-up. Although the I.C.C. will need to investigate
Turner's action as 3rd umpire Duggins raised doubts over a suspect kinked arm. Ross
Durban was electric in the field although Boyce had a day to forget as
he dropped a hat-trick of chances, Tilley the unfortunate bowler cursing under his breath as he stomped back to his mark.
Swimming and games room dominate the evening's proceedings once more along with
phone calls home. An early night will be on the cards as the team finish off their
festival exploits against well-rested hosts Jersey.
