Middlesex Taverners Buccaneers v TestMatchSofa.Com - 4th Sep 2011

On a wet and windy sunday, we managed to get a 21 over game in having stared at the pitch from the bar for three hours! We managed to stay vertical enough to bat first and come out with an impressive 153, with Paul Robin hitting a faultless 48 and our South African ringer a thumping 75! TestMatchSofa did not get within 20, with all the bowlers actually bowling surprisingly straight. We are now 2 up in the series, and I am sure a rematch next year is on the cards.

Those playing for the Tavs included: Aatif Nawaz, Catherine Dalton, Jonnie Irwin, Simon Jack, Gordon Kennedy, Mervyn Ramsay and our Regional Chairman Paul Robin.

Regional Golf Day - 27th Sep 2011

The Regional Golf Day took place at Highgate Golf Club for the second year running with 14 teams taking part. Numerous faces from the world of sport and entertainment attended as follows: John Alderton, Manish Bhasin, Marcus Buckland, John Conteh, Neil Durden-Smith, Mike Gatting, Gordon Kennedy, Roger Tolchard, Paul Way and the Winning Team from Middlesex CCC of Gareth Berg, Vinnie Codrington, Neil Dexter and Tom Smith.

Following the golf and a hearty lunch, Durders oversaw the auction with his usual aplomb, and the final total raised from the day for the charity was a tremendous £3,800. Many thanks to all who took part and to Catch 22 for their organisation.

STICKY WICKETT 2011

The weather Gods were with us again and a record 12 teams took part to challenge for the coveted prize of the Sticky Wicket Trophy. The teams were supported by an enthusiastic crowd of event industry colleagues and friends that built steadily during the day to approximately 400 to 500 in total by the time of the final took place.

Everyone was kept well lubricated throughout the proceedings due to the generosity and support of Grange Hotels and their staff.

Each team was joined by Lord’s Taverners guests Gordon Kennedy, Ben Jones, Alex Avery, Simon Jack, Lawrence Prittipaul, Simon Francis, Catherine Dalton, Aaatif Nawaz, Stuart Robertson, James Kennedy, Tom Rigby and Johnny Barran with John Price, Struan Rodger, Phil Knappett, Martin Fryer, Vince Parker and Stuart Barker on Umpiring duties. The President’s Prize was as popular as ever, so many thanks to Sir Jeremy Hanley who donated 10 sets of House of Lord’s Cufflinks for the first 10 players to hit sixes.

By the time the group stages had been completed Earls Court and Olympia automatically went into the final by achieving the highest number of points. ExCel London and UBM Live were equal on points and after a tense bowl out ExCel London came out on top to put them into the final.

The Sticky Wicket Trophy and the glory was Excel London's when Earls Court and Olympia failed to chase the total they were set in the final.

A throng of about 200 then descended on the Lord's Tavern at Lord's Cricket Ground for the After Party to talk of if's & buts and maybe's and to celebrate another successful day that raised £30,000 for the Lord's Taverners Charity.

The Sticky Wicket Committee wish to thank all the Teams, Sponsors, Supporters, Lord's Taverners Guests, Event Industry Colleagues and the Royal Parks without all of whom the event would not be possible.

Discussions and planning have already started for Sticky Wicket VI 2012 when we are all looking forward to doing it all again!

Mervyn Ramsay – www.stickywicket.org

CATCH 22’S 8th CHARITY CHALLENGE CONQUERS THE CUMBRIA WAY

Catch 22 the recruitment and employment specialist, is pleased to report that another successful Charity Challenge has been completed. The walk, over May Bank Holiday, from 29th April to 1st May, was tackled by 35 colleagues, friends and clients of Catch 22, and covered nearly 78 miles and 10,000ft of ascent in some of the Lake District’s most stunning scenery. Babs Powell, representing the Lord’s Taverners, walked on four days raising money in her inimitable style. Proceeds from the Challenge will be distributed between The Lord’s Taverners Scope and Breast Cancer Campaign

Vince Parker, Managing Director of Catch 22, commented:

“The whole weekend was an unqualified success, summed up in the words of one of the walkers: ‘great weather, great walking, great company’. The Cumbria Way certainly matched those Challenges we’ve tackled in the past and we couldn’t have wished for better conditions. The effort, attitude and determination of all our participants were superb, the Lake District has never looked more stunning and the camaraderie of the whole group was heartwarming. We hope to continue to raise funds for the three charities through photo sales and further donations.”

You can find out more about the walk and how to donate on the Catch 22 website (www.c22.co.uk) or visit www.justgiving.com/Vince-Parker
 

THE LORD'S TAVERNERS DINNER AND BALLOON DEBATE - THE LONG ROOM, LORD'S - 2ND DECEMBER 2010

Despite the inclement weather, a near full house descended on Lord's for the annual Dinner & Balloon Debate. Following a champagne reception in the Museum where the Ashes were on display and the major topic of conversation, the attendees moved onto dinner in the glorious surroundings of The Long Room.

After dinner, Wayne Barnes, Mike Brearley OBE, Michael Simkins and last year's winner Alan Wright battled it out for the honour of The Balloon Debate Trophy 2010, with Wayne Barnes coming out as the deserved winner. A word of thanks must be given to Alan Wright who stood in at the last minute for Jo Rice who was snowed in up in Scotland.

A tankard was also presented to Geoff Norris by former Middlesex Regional Chairman Roger Oakley as a token of thanks in recognition of 18 years continuous years service on the Middlesex Region Committee.

Through the Raffle, 4s & 6s and the Auction, which was run by Neil Durden-Smith OBE with his usual aplomb, the evening raised a very impressive £23,000. Thank you to all present for your generosity and we are already looking forward to next year's event!
 

THE LORD’S TAVERNERS MIDDLESEX V TESTMATCHSOFA.COM - 18th SEPTEMBER 2010

The weather God’s were with us for this late September fixture at Sunbury CC, and after a hearty lunch of chicken jalfrezi and the odd libation, TestMatchSofa took to the field and the Taverners chose to bat, with John ‘Sport’ Price keeping everyone under control from one end.
Simon Jack and Aatif Nawaz opened the batting with the former deciding he liked the home comforts of the pavilion too much and did not put up much of a struggle allowing Mike Wedderburn to come in and hit a very quick 30 before retiring. Tom Wisdom put up less resistance than Jack and got an immaculate 0, which brought Lawrence Prittipaul to the crease who hit a very quick, classy, 30 including one of the biggest sixes I have ever seen. When Nawaz was out, John Simpson, our first Middlesex player, came in and promptly got a duck, but Angus Fraser came in and showed the youngsters a thing or two by caressing a faultless 30. Josh Knappett and Mervyn Ramsay reached their retiring quota too, with Toby Roland-Jones managing to get to the crease for a few balls at the end to set a target of 219 to win.
After a marvellous tea, TestMatchSofa started solidly against a spritely Tom Wisdom and John Simpson, with the latter showing why he should keep the gloves on. Runs came at a steady pace with the odd wicket, so needing to tie the opposition down, the captain through the ball to Angus Fraser. Fraser somehow managed to get bounce off what can only be described as a shirt front, which just shows that form is temporary and class is permanent. The excitement mounted and needing 3 runs to win off the last ball, a single could only be mustered and the Taverners romped home to a one run victory!
At the presentation afterwards, Angus Fraser was made Man of the Match by Daniel Norcross from TestMatchSofa. Norcross only faced one ball off Fraser which he hit for four, so he now has a strike rate of 400 against a former test match bowler, on which he will dine out forever.
Special thanks must be given to Sunbury CC for their hospitality, and we have been invited back to play the fixture again next year when we hope to generate more support and enjoy another entertaining afternoon and evening.
Mervyn Ramsay

To view match fixtures please click here