Comments, feedback, updates & contributions please to: Chris@HydeHeath.com

15-22 October 2004
statistics here

Skipper Samuels’ connections are impeccable; not only did he organise a brilliant Tour, with great accommodation in the delightful resort of S’Algar, a fleet of speedy chariots (one perhaps slightly less speedy than the others), delicious meals every night, dashing club shirts and caps and even a little cricket, but he also managed to arrange beautiful weather – warm, sunny days, gentle sea breezes, spectacular sunsets and mild evenings.

At twenty four hours’ notice, Charlie was asked to raise a second team for the MCC Tournament (that’s M for Menorca, of course) in place of a local team who had backed out. He rallied the HH troops and ‘The Spares’, as they were affectionately known (thanks to the programme listing) were born. The Hyde Heath teams consisted of:

HH Originals: Richard Austin, Johnnie Capper (WK), Henry Capper (Capt), Olly Haddock, Tim Nutman and Jeremy Stevens.

The Spares: Dave Brennan (WK), Paul Haddock, Bradley Holt, Charlie Samuels (Capt), Danny Samuels and Andy Witten.

Enthusiastic support was provided by a 3^rd team, ‘The Tarts on Tour’: Caroline, Charlotte, Harriet, Janet, Margaret, Jemima, Jess, Leigh, Lynne and Margaret. Relieved of their usual tea-making duties, they cheered and comforted their men folk in equal measure, occasionally calming their own nerves with a jug or two of Pimms.

Ex-pat members of the MCC built their own lovely cricket ground and clubhouse thirteen years ago. The Club plays visiting sides all year round, and have instituted an annual Six-a-Side Tournament, now in its 3^rd year. Sixteen UK teams took part. The standard of cricket was somewhat higher than we had expected and out of ten matches played by our two teams, we only won only our last (HH Originals), although two matches were lost on the last ball. Still - room for improvement. Winter nets, guys?

The HH Originals averages follow. Sadly the records for the last match played by The Spares were missing from the Score Book, (or one of The Spares ripped out the page!) so it has not been possible to calculate their averages yet. We are attempting to do so from memory.

Memorable Moments included:

-    Capper Snr for his 4 stumpings
-    Danny Samuels for an amazing superman dive to stop a boundary - oh, and for smiling a lot
-    Tim Nutman for being the only HH player not to bowl a wide
-    Jeremy Stevens for a spectacular 6 - and Henry, Danny & Olly for their 6's
-    Henry for bowling the final victorious over
-    Haddock Snr for his record number of wides and and generally unforgettable bowling that had
     the batsmen meeting the ball halfway up the wicket, but ... which resulted in a famous
      international wicket, thanks to Charlie's catch
-    Cheeko of Potters Bar, Haddock's victim who has agreed to come with his team to the HH
     six-a-side next June - a glutton for punishment
-    Johnnie & Charlie for their catches
-    Andy Witten for his pirouette at the crease - fortuitously captured on celluloid by Nutman
-    Olly Haddock for allowing a ball to pass through his legs whilst fielding (and the ensuing
     mystified look over his shoulder), - only to be redeemed by getting the only HH batting
     retirement
     at 34 not out
-    Jeremy, Tim, Olly, Richard and Charlie for their wickets
-    Harriet for her energetic bell ringing (a la Yeading Cavaliers) and her graceful handstands
-    Richard Austin for finally checking inside his cricket bag to fine one cement umbrella stand -
     but no clothes !
-    Johnny and Charlie S for ordering their private (superior) wine supplies at dinner and
     everyone (bar Harriet) for boosting the Spanish economy with alcohol tax revenue -
     with special mentions to Brennan and Witten
-    Judge Dave Brennan for his tally of misdemeanours and dispensing of forfeits
-    Jess for her brave undertaking of challenging journeys from and back to Salamanca
     - the things we do for love - and for her eyebrow sculpting skills
-    Bradley and Charlotte for giving us birthdays to celebrate    

The Alternative Menorca Tournament was organised on the tennis courts by Charlotte Capper and the winning doubles were: 1^st place Henry Capper with Brad Holt and 2^nd place Caroline Capper with Jeremy Stevens.

The Tour Awards were as follows:

Bowling: Tim Nutman

Batting: Bradley Holt

Fielding: Danny Samuels

Best All Round Performance: Olly Haddock

Jemima Haddock
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