Pwllheli Cricket Club Sussex Tour 2009
Typical Pwllheli player in near peak physical condition!
Pwllheli Cricket Clubs second tour to Sussex had much to live up to following on from
last years very successful tour. A few new faces joined this years tour and it wasn’t
long before they were making their mark on tour history!
The 6 hour journey to Sussex was slightly more comfortable this year as we had hired a
larger mini bus and more importantly, Paul Mawer had kindly supplied the official tour
toilet container – which was emptied many times out the window to the amazement of
following vehicles! Ben Jones failed to recreate the state that he peaked at during last
years journey but on arrival in Lewes, many of the tourists looked as if they had just
endured a 6 day journey rather than the actual 6 hours.
Peanuts explaining where he thought the Crown Hotel was!
Thursday night was spent mostly in The Swan, enjoying a selection of Tapas, wondering
where Adam had disappeared to and watching new tourist Peanuts (Ian Evans officially)
consume more and more beer – we will return to this subject shortly. A key point during
the evening was when the Second Head Coach, Neil Williams, foolishly challenged the next
days opposing skipper – the hero of last years tour Kevin Byrne – to a bet saying that
Pwellheli would ‘wipe the floor’ with Ruins the following day. Ever one for a free meal,
Byrne eagerly accepted the bet – we will also return to this shortly!
Time was getting on now and Peanuts was finding harder to stand vertically – the Second
Head Coach therefore did the sensible thing and escorted him back to his hotel. Upon
reaching The Crown (yes – The Crown, subject of TV’s The Hotel Inspector!) the Second
Head Coach made the fatal mistake of going up to his own room, leaving Peanuts alone in
the bar.
Next morning, the Second Head Coach awoke to find the bed that should have been
occupied by Peanuts, empty and un-slept in. Fearing the worst for the little fella he
enjoyed a leisurely shower and breakfast only to discover the wanderer returning.
Apparently Peanuts had stepped outside to enjoy a last smoke before bed and then lost the
hotel!!! He spent the next 6 hours wandering around Lewes trying to find it again!
A rare glimpse of Adam before he disappeared again! From memory, he remained in this same position for about 20 minutes!
Saturday morning was hot and sticky, much like a couple of the Lewes Ladies who had
expressed an interest in a certain younger member of the touring party the night before (no
names - but lets just say he scored a lot of runs for both Pwllheli and Ruins!) and a small
group of Pwllheli faithful gathered for a wander around the town. By 11.00 they had discovered
the Volunteer was open and were soon enjoying a couple of pre match cold ones. It should be
noted that during this same period, The Second Head Coach and Paul Mawer were spotted in
Costa Coffee - surely very bad behaviour when on tour?
On to the regular pre match meeting point, The Swan, for a couple more cold ones and then
the match against Lewes Priory. See the report on the right.
The Mad Carpenter wondering why that bottle wont speak back to him!
Saturday night consisted of a trip to Brighton for many of the boys - more successful
than last year as this year they didnt return until 4.00 on Sunday morning! The highlight
of the night was the dancing of Mike Hughes and Ben Jones - Brighton had seen nothing like
it before!
Chris Moore wanting nothing to do with whatever it was that Ceiri just suggested!
Sunday morning and a trip to the County Ground in Hove to visit local bat makers and
cricket suppliers, Newbery. Thanks to Mike Green and Newbery for the support and generous
discount - several Pwllheli players came away with new bats. Peanuts just couldnt make his
mind up and by all accounts will be camping outside the ground again in the near future.
Back to the Swan, and then on to Newick for the final game of the tour. See the report
on the right.
Sunday night was curry night! Back into Lewes for a very fine meal at the Shanaz. Time
to reflect on the tour and, more importantly, rub red hot chilli over the Second Head Coaches
plate when he wasnt looking, and then, all around the Mad Carpenters glass. Little things like
this entertain a weary touring party! A few speaches and a few awards (Peanuts - Tourist of the tour,
Chris Moore - Player of the tour and Rob Cooper - Ruins player of the tour) and then it was
time for bed!
Another tour over.....
