To say July and most of August were wet in 2007 was an under statement. Deluges of water had swept the country for weeks, causing a complete lack of cricket throughout the UK for months on end. Those who did play were fielding in bogs, slipping in their delivery stride and unable to move their feet whilst batting. It became normal to not play in July and the first half of August. Redbat had lost the early July Worcester tour completely, organiser extraordinaire Jon Harry calling it off, some days before the first game. Still, the June Oxford tour had been in the sweltering heat, although 2 bad defeats still rankled some months later.

So to Ripon.

Well those that were meant to arrive did so in dribs and drabs on Friday 24th August, checking in successfully to the Unicorn Hotel. Plumb on the Market Square.

No complaints whatsoever from the Collective. One or two small changes had been made to people’s itineraries without involving me. All I had in mind was fish, chips and peas, to eat now. Superb. Fresh fried haddock in beef dripping, perfect chips and probably the best mushy peas I ever had. A great start! It was the one just to the right and back of the Black Bull, fact fans. Meanwhile a riverside pub, the Rat and Parrot, had been located and a pleasant couple of pints were had before moving onto the recommended boozer - the One Eyed Rat. Similar names, but much better pub.

The Collective were at one in the ‘well appointed for drinkers’ garden of the busy One Eyed Rat. A few pints inside us, the promise of good weather all weekend and good company to relax with. I tasted some superb Black Sheep and pretty much stayed with that all weekend. Back to the Unicorn Hotel after a decent last orders of midnight, the warm night making the drinking all the more pleasurable. The hotel bar was half residents and daytime lounge area and part rowdy locals bar. Both well controlled by decent staff. Real Tetley’s and Black Sheep on draught, we looked set up for the weekend.

They were happy to serve residents only and we were more than happy for them to do so. A Fancy dress club night was just beginning nearby, so we watched as an increasingly bizarre parade of images staggered past the window. All had a good laugh until disaster struck, there was no more Black Sheep and worse still none until Tuesday! The Tetley’s was hanging on, but it was first night. It turns out the new manager was only just branching out in Real ale and had tentatively ordered a barrel for the weekend. Between us and the Locals we’d supped the lot in one day.

Time for bed. A busy Saturday for me, involving no cricket, 250 miles in the car and a totally different party to attend. The morning dawned to a well-attended quality breakfast. If I was to keep my schedules, it was a prompt departure from Ripon, returning home to pick up BTJ & Denni and then drive to Hebden Bridge for the party, leaving the squad to find the Retreat in York and soundly defeat A Wellington XI. Something we didn’t do on the Ilkley Tour, on our last visit.

I can only read from the scorebook and the subsequent post match pub talk for this game. My party was great fun and worth making the effort for, but I missed the match completely. Returning to Ripon for around 9pm to hear news of narrow defeat and fifties for both Harry and Biggs Snr. Peter was making a welcome return to the August tour squad avec Robin who, despite being Biggsied up as an in-form bat, had got a golden duck. Still there were big smiles on everyone’s faces, as well as a red sheen from the sunshine. The Retreat had delivered a good game and it’s thanks to their skipper Steve Relf, who like me couldn’t play, but had made a real effort to get a friendly Saturday team out to play us. It seems the game went like this…..

Skipper Stuart Hunt elected to bat and quickly whipped the pads on, the other opener, keeper Peters, hoping to keep his on all game. The two of them strode out in the peaceful surroundings of the walled Retreat ground. Only yards from the city centre but a more tranquil ground you’d be hard pressed to find. Unfortunately Hunt was soon back in the Shed, caught for a single, 4 for 1, bringing Biggs P to the crease. It would seem Peter then took it upon himself to dominate the bowling, whilst Lloyd played himself in for 12, during a partnership of 56. Making it 60 for 2 when Peters was clean bowled by second change Barlow, for his only reward of the game. Harry trudged to the crease, no doubt in that unassuming manner that is his trademark.

The pair proceeded to knock it around a lot. A partnership of 49, and a total of 109 for 3, when Biggs was run out for a fine 65. How this happened I would be interested to know? Did fatigue set in or was it something more comical? Another Biggs, Robin, soon replaced the other, his long legs striding to the crease. No doubt confident after a good season with the bat, in first team Cambridgeshire league cricket. It was not to be, cleaned bowled first ball by the miserly Sampson. Easily their best bowler, his Herculean strengths brought him 2 for 14 in 6 overs. Surely the difference between the two teams?

There then came the inevitable collapse; Anzani, who was very relaxed, scoring the game in multi coloured pens, suddenly finding himself in at number 5, was bowled in the next over. 111 for 5, and in trouble. Still Jon Harry’s experienced blade was watching all this from the other end, no doubt focusing his hangover even more. Big Dave Muir entered the game for the first time. Determined to make an impact. A good stage for Dave, this could have been his day. Just as it seemed to be getting going he was on his way. Caught for 2. We were 119 for 6. Jon needed a partner. Redfern, Number 8 and wiry, made his way to the crease. The pair managed to take it to 131 for 7 when Redders was bowled for 3. In strode that most capped of Red bat players, Tall Paul O’Connor. Could he provide the necessary to take us to a defendable 200? Don’t forget Jon Harry is still at the other end, anchoring the side, grabbing every run he can. Trying hard to maximise every loose ball he gets.

It looks like they got amongst it. A partnership of 31 took the score to a becoming respectable 162 for 8. Paul bowled by Sampson, for 9. Talking of experience, in strode the Strode. Unfortunately I have no information on number of overs bowled at this point in the innings, but we must assume only a few left. A lot rested on Dan’s big shoulders. Armed with a little used bat which he’d finally remembered to bring to a game, he and Jon put on another 21 to make us 183 for 8 from 40 overs, Whitelock finishing undefeated on 5 and Jon a magnificently concentrated 62 not out in at least 25 overs.

Game On. How would debut skipper Hunt defend this just defendable total? Pressure and guile will have crossed his mind. Hit them hard, take some early wickets and we’re always in it. O'Connor and Whitelock were summoned to the skipper's chamber and briefed on the job in hand. Other opinions gleaned. Robin will have been keen to bowl. Keith "available whenever required". Redfern happy to oblige. Dave Muir, more than happy to oblige, with a cheeky rider of "If required skippy"? Biggs senior, probably not too keen to bowl. At least he had 6 available, with himself always willing.

Whitelock marked up his new sloping run up, first premiered in Oxford. It seems to balance his delivery, preventing his tendency to slip down the leg. He was soon rewarded; a great catch by the skipper was the highlight of Stu’s weekend. Opener Walward out for a single. There then proceeded to be some decent batting against some tight Redbat bowling. A second wicket partnership developed taking the total to 80 for 2, from 20 tight overs from Dan, POC, Keith and Robin, all using the ball and the conditions to their advantage. Danny took another wicket in his last couple of overs to finish with 2 for 37 from 8. Robin took 3 wickets for 38 from 8. Mixing it up! O'Connor was on the money and unlucky to be wicketless for only 33 from 8 and Keith Miller turned in a fine spell for a tight 32 runs from 7 back to back, fruitless overs. There was one run out that considerably helped our situation. Throughout the innings someone for the Wellie was always "in" and it looks like the spinners, introduced in the last 3^rd of the innings have taken some welly. Both Redfern and Muir, thrust into the throng late on were hit, Redfern though clean bowling the hapless (with the bat) Samson. Four batsman from the Wellie got in, number 3 Miller stroking exactly 50 and number seven Oxley swiping 43 not out.

The end of the 47^th over saw The Wellie suddenly shoot past our total, to win by 3 wickets. It had been a hard fought game, obviously enjoyed by all. Well skippered by Hunt and hosted by the nice people at The Wellington Inn, York.

Saturday night was spent at the wonderful One Eyed Rat and in and out of nearby chippies and Thai restaurants. The Rat had a beer festival on, and we boosted their sales by some degree.

Sunday again dawned fine and sunny, if a little cooler. We took the short ride back to York. The ground was in Bootham Park hospital, a venue MOB XI had played in before. Sharp eyed Strode recognised the opener immediately. We tossed, they batted and out marched their skipper Pete Mitchell and the dangerous looking J. Crowe (only a distant relation, we were told).

The opening bowlers Kennedy and Robin Biggs, bowled well. Certainly Mitchell was having trouble against Kennedy’s swing. Crowe drove one very sharply hard to my left, at mid off. All I could do was stick out a paw and prevent a boundary. Sometimes they stick. Bruce kindly said that he’d regard it as 3 runs saved. The score was moving along with Crowe looking ominous. Another spilled catch by DW and that was that. Crowe opened his shoulders and hit everything. O’Connor and Whitelock were severely punished, with sixes flying everywhere. It was fetch it and see. The match ball was quickly lost and 3 major ball searches took place. The only way I could see of getting him out was caught on the boundary. His most audacious attack was taking 2 steps down the track to Paul, and reverse sweeping a six! He retired at 100. We were glad to see the back of him. Bit out of our class. The game settled down, although there was plenty of huffing and puffing and mutterings going on from Red bat.

Biggsie senior and Redfern bowled spectacularly well in the circumstances. Running through the middle order and finally getting rid of opener Mitchell, for 48. The pair finished with excellent figures of 3-18 Biggs and 2-23 Redfern. Certainly I can’t recall seeing either of them bowling better. Biggsie was on a length from the start, accurate and, deceptively quick off 3 paces. Redders got turn and bounce, and most importantly for his style of donkey drops, good length. Bruce was able to return and get a just reward; finishing with 1- 30 from 8. Robin was unable to finish his spell due to a dodgy shoulder, but had mixed it up well. For DW and POC it was a day to forget. Like wise myself as skipper. We were chasing 245 for 7 from 40.

At this point I should say that the opposition were to a man, lovely people. The tea was functional and plentiful in calories. The setting was great for kids and spectators, with sole use of a large sunny park. Lloyd Peters spent the afternoon writing his latest Radio 4 blockbuster on the boundary. He never once suggested he should take part in the game, which is definitely a first!

Hunt fancied opening and Jon Harry took little persuasion in joining him. The pair ambled out to face the unknown. The sun was still out and we stood some kind of a chance of salvaging something from the game. Two young lads opened up, one medium and the other slower. We were off.

Harry didn’t last. He spliced a simple catch from the slower bowler to point and was out for 2. It was my turn to make a mark on the game. I felt reasonably confident, if a bit dazed, from the previous onslaught. Hunt had looked stoic to the first few balls he’d faced and I felt we could achieve something if we both occupied the crease for long enough. The opposition took one look at my left-handed guard and 2nd slip took up residence at leg slip. As there was already a fine leg, he was reprimanded and moved back to second.

The slower of the two openers ran in and bowled a long hop outside leg stump. Cue meat and drink shot, the sweep paddle, in the air to fine leg. I watched the ball land only feet in front of the fielder. It would have been a dolly catch to the now non-existent leg slip. I couldn’t believe what I’d just done. Fear gripped my body as I turned away from Stuart and watched the ball’s progress. Turning back I saw Stuart silently running half way up the track and screamed NO to him. He tore back to his end but was just beaten by the ball. Run out for a duck. We were 2 for 2 in the fourth over. Disaster.

Number 4 Gummer hobbled to the wicket. Matt had warned he wasn’t fit for batting purposes some weeks before the tour. Spending part of the time on crutches, his leg was bad and he was in severe discomfort walking, let alone running between wickets.

It didn’t bode well.

We both played each other in, grabbing extras and middling the ball quite well. At 9 for 2, the quicker bowler Scully, dropped me one slightly short, on leg stump. I pulled it hard for 4. It felt good. That great feeling of knowing you can still middle the ball glowed through my body. The next ball was different. On a length outside off stump. I pushed gingerly at it, copped an inside edge and was bowled.

13 for 3 and in deep trouble. Still, Biggsie was in top form and Matt was looking surprisingly useful, given his injury. Peter didn’t last, caught out for 4. We were 29 for 4, after not very many overs. To desperate cries of encouragement in marched the beanpole of Robin Biggs. Looking positive as only Rob can, could his previously talked up Cambridgeshire league form show through, after his golden duck the day before?

Well yes is the answer to that. Matt and Robin showed great determination; both looked useful and frustrated the ever-changing bowling attack. Middling the ball superbly, boundaries began to regularly arrive and our old friend extras were helping the total. Somehow we reached 3 figures -100 for 4 sounded good. We were almost back in the game. Certainly the opposition thought so. Who was this handicapped guy, waggling his injured leg whilst running? He certainly looked like a potential match winning bat. Inevitably it didn’t last. 100 for 4 became 100 for 5. Robin bowled for an entertaining 29. The partnership, a solid 71, saved us at least some face. He deserved his ovation on returning to the shed at 102 for 6. Gummer followed for a very patient and gallant 29.

The tail didn’t wag much; Redfern pulled a ball square for 4 in his 6. None of the last 5 reached double figures, despite some quite lengthy crease occupation by Whitelock.124 all out in not quite 35 overs was better than we may have expected an hour or so previously.

A loss by 120+ runs wasn’t good. It was not one of our finest hours. The game had finished in the gloom. Most of our supporters and some of the players politely refused the offer of chips and butties at the Golden Ball pub. Those that took it up were treated to a decent pub, some free nosh and the oppo somewhat gloating. Their skipper Pete Mitchell keen to ensure his career best bowling figures were in the home team's scorebook.

Back to Ripon for the Annual JA Quiz. The hotel announced it had now run out of all draught bitter (even the smooth flow!). So it was The Guinness that fuelled the collective brains that night. The usual hostilities ran through the teams, who had now been joined by "Mr Media" Steve Hewlett and sons. Great fun and thanks as always to JA for making us think. Beds were climbed into late and the forecast was good for the bank holiday Monday.

It did indeed dawn fine in Ripon and with a midday start all we had to do was eat large breakfasts, check out and drive the short distance to Ripon Grammar school for the match v Ripon 3rds. The one unknown was would today’s skipper Gummer declare himself fit. A doctor would not!

Matt wisely hung up his boots for the season, meaning Redfern, as 12^th man, was not only in the side, but also skipper! With nowhere else to go the collective tipped up at RGS for the early start, no time for beer or other distractions. At midday we were ready and waiting for the oppo to arrive.

The setting was magnificent. A beautifully maintained pitch awaited us. The temperature was perfect for cricket, with plenty of sun and a gentle breeze. The track was flat but also looked like it had something in it for the bowlers. The oppo were a mixture of ages from 15 to 65. They had 12 men to our 11, but who cared? Skipper Redfern returned to the well-used pavilion after the toss. We were bowling.

Kennedy and Whitelock opened up the proceedings well. Each landing on an early length and sticking to it, Bruce once again causing problems, with his movement off the wicket, and Dan keeping the batsman guessing with his variation. The fielding was, by and large, excellent and we looked good on the park. Skipper Redfern had reason to be pleased…

Their top 3 were back in the shed for something like 15 runs after 7 overs. Bruce clean bowled numbers 1 and 3 with a couple of unplayable deliveries. JA swooping low in the covers, took a good catch from Dan’s bowling, dismissing the useful number 2, Cullum, to give us the first breakthrough, in only the fourth over. The opening bowlers having done their work, it was time for the skipper to ring the changes. Who would step up to the by now, boiling breech?

It took courage, but his confidence was high from the previous days endeavours. Mike put himself on. Replacing Bruce, slightly up the hill, Redders employed his gentle tweakers for 4 overs. Getting some turn from the wicket he was unlucky to be wicketless. Who would replace DW? Up stepped the big frame of Dave Muir, who bowled well for 5 fruitless overs. There was a crucial run out in this period. The batsman, beaten by Redfern's arrow-like throw from mid-on, was done for.

We still needed more wickets as the middle order were getting stuck in a bit. It was time for the ‘fire it in’ stuff of Keith "Son of Jah" Miller. Bowling a fantastic length, Keith immediately began to fox the well-set middle order. Keeping low, he had the hapless number 4, Simms, plumb LBW and next over clean bowled number 7 Walters for a duck. Moments later number 8 Sturt was again a victim of Miller’s guile, Peters taking a superb catch at the wicket to dismiss him for 7. We were on fire.

Stainton, the number 6, had been watching all this from the other end and sensing the situation needed taking in hand dug in and began playing well. Hewlett replaced Muir and was immediately successful, having the number 8 well caught by Muir. Stainton began to play his shots and the fielders were getting a little tired. He began to get amongst us, Hewlett particularly coming in for some stick. The score was ticking along fast. They were 130 for 8 in the 26^th over. It was time for the return of the openers.

Bruce removed the resilient Stainton for 46, clean bowling him with an absolute beauty. Danny took his second wicket LBW, sending number 10 back to the shed for a stubborn 7. It was left to number 11 Evans to prod his way in partnership with a 65 year old to 10 slow runs. They finished on 152 for 10 after 35 overs, the rate of deceleration giving us an almost friendly total to chase.

The bowling figures were exemplary. Rowdy Bruce’s stats of 3 –13 from 7 overs were particularly outstanding. Keith’s 3 for 21 off 6, when the batsmen were threatening to take control, was superb. Danny was his usual consistent self, taking 2 for 29 from 7. Redfern, Muir and Hewlett all did their jobs well. Extras of all kinds were kept to a bare minimum. We fielded pretty well, spilling very little and stopping most shots within our range. It was a happy Red Bat strolling off the park at the interval, for much needed tea and cakes. Still the sun shone!

Skipper Redfern briefed his troops over tea. Lloyd Peters and myself detailed to open. 100% Yorkshire v Yorkshire! We needed to get some runs on the board but also protect a quite fragile tail. Stay there, but score, rang in my ears, as the first ball was drilled at me at quite lively pace. A little down the leg side. I almost got down on one knee and swept it off the middle for 2. It was a good batting track. The runs began to come. Lloyd hit a magnificent extra cover drive for four. We were running well. I emulated his boundary at the other end and soon the total had reached a respectable opening partnership of 27 from 8 overs. By some margin the highest on this tour.

Lloyd spooned one back to the first change bowler and we were one down. Jon Harry was a good man to see strolling in. We started to get the better of the bowling. The score marched along to 45 for 1 when I was given out LBW for 21 in the 14^th over. Two down and still a lot of work to do. We needed someone to come in and put their foot down. Cometh the hour, cometh Dave Muir.

Dave came to the wicket looking confident and immediately set out his stall, punish anything short of a length, keep the rest out. A sound philosophy at this stage. We were just about on 3 and a bit an over, but to win we needed to accelerate. The pair put on 26 with both playing some fine shots, before Jon was caught for a well-made 20. 71 for 3 in the 18th over. Pretty much on halfway. Could march on to victory from here. There were certainly those thoughts in my mind as in marched Steve ‘The media needs me, and my house in St Lucia needs the media’ Hewlett. Ever a man required, if a run chase is on. Dave was playing very sensibly, keeping the ball, where possible, on the deck and hitting it hard.

Steve immediately set out his own agenda. Swing at everything! One ball missed his stumps by a rizla width, but this seemed to consolidate him. He started to middle the ball, ride a bit of luck and the score began to move on up very quickly. I was umpiring at the time and the ground thundered when the two by now very sweaty heavy weights were running between wickets. It was great entertainment; we were definitely well in the chase. The small crowd was becoming greatly enamoured as the pair quickly racked up the runs. All good innings come to an end and a glowing red Dave Muir was given LBW for a magnificent 28. 108 for 4 in just 25 overs. The pair had added 38 in less than 7 overs. With Hewlett now in full flow, the crowd were becoming distinctly rowdy. Bruce walked in, on a pair for the tour. It was unfortunately not a tour where he will remember his batting. Another duck made us 108 for 5 and needing a miracle.

This was the chance for Hewlett to really open his legs and show his class. Accompanied at first by Chris Lewis, then JA, with whom he put on 27 for the seventh wicket in 6 overs, he was out for 45 having totally dominated the Ripon bowlers. He later said if he had have known how many he’d scored he wouldn’t have got himself out! His off stump knocked out of the ground, by the returning opener R. Simms, who he’d just pummelled for 2 fours in his previous over. We were 140 for 7 when Steve was out, 13 to win, 8 balls to do it in. DW and JA did their best to capitalise on the scenario, but tight bowling and some energetic fielding kept the score to 146, just 6 behind.

It was fantastic entertainment. Real edge of the seat stuff. We chased hard, Steve’s innings was magnificent. Everyone chipped in. Perhaps if the opposition had only 11 men we may have kept their total down a bit. It was pointed out, après the game that the last 2 overs only yielded 1 run! So maybe not.

Adding the superb bowling effort, I would make this the best Redbat game for some time; the opposition certainly had a shock. We played good cricket, in a great environment, against nice people. Unbeatable fun for all.

We were invited for tea at Ripon’s main ground. This being a Yorkshire city team it was no ‘shed on the rec’. A pitch that looked like it could host a test match, a proper pavilion with seated terraces on different levels and an out field to dream of. Tea was excellent and plentiful for all, taken in the pavilion bar. The clubs 150-year-old history oozed from the records on the walls. Ripon Firsts were playing a league fixture, racing to a 9 wicket win, chasing well over 200 against Driffield on the Wolds. More entertainment, and an invite to come back the next year from the club Hon sec. ‘We just might do that’ I said.

We used the clubhouse for an impromptu meeting. Steve Hewlett was awarded the Beard Trophy for his knock that day. Jon Harry passed on the Little Man, who was immediately taken in for repairs. All appreciated some nice speeches and votes of thanks, at the end of another successful and hugely enjoyable Red Bat Tour. The most fun you can have with your trousers on or off. Well none of us is getting any younger! See you next time.