Hello forumites, it's cricket time again

[LeonWatson]

Alright people, it's Leon from the SLP.

Remember we played you guys last year? Well this year we'd like to play you again, if you're up for it.

I think we all had a good time and maybe this year we could include more drinking on the pitch and pub time in the event.

Our team has started having net sessions and we'd like to invite you along if you fancy some knocky-knocky. It sounds serious but it's not, I promise.

We play on Sundays outdoors from about 11.30am at the nets on Clapham Common, near Clapham South Tube Station, and from next Thursday at the Latchmere Leisure Centre in Battersea at 9.30pm. That's a bit late and I know both venues are out of your manor but we found last year the time worked well because most people aren't up to much else then.

Also, we're trying to be really organised this year and get stuff sorted early. We've booked some pitches on Wandsworth Common for matches - at great expense - so we could have an "away" match for you as well as a Belair Park game.

But there's no doubt we'll be short of players so if any of you lot want to play in any of our other games you're more than welcome. The first match we're playing is on April 26.

As I said, it all sounds serious but I promise it's not - we've got a very wide range of abilities, i.e. many of us are crap, but we're all united by a mutual love of cricket. And smack.

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

I'll be making cheese scones for the tea!

[mockney piers]

I'm sure we can drum up some interest again. Though I think my legs are still a bit stiff from the last game ;-)

[Brendan]

I am thinking up creative excuses for dropped catches and duffed shots already.

[Keef]

I'll be there hoping to improve on my stunning duck during our mid order collapse last year.

May well be up for coming to nets for a bit of bowling practise though... I'm never going to be a very good batsman!

[Brendan]

Nets in dulwich park some time guys? If the bloody sun ever comes out that is.

[Keef]

Sounds good!

Piers, I'll get Dems and Nathan involved, that way we have at least 2 good players! Sure Ed would be up for it again too.

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

You can hire nets at the oval:

price list

[mockney piers]

Ooh, does that very pretty girl still work at the oval?

Nice one Keef, I'll see if I can get a modicum of talent sorted too. And let's pray for sun, every time I go out on that damn Belair pitch, the heavens open!!!

[LeonWatson]

Ok,

The King's Road Cricket and Social Club council of elders has met (online). We have decided to suggest you play us in a match at our place - Wandsworth Common - on May 18.

The pitch there is better than at Belair and it has a nice pub nearby.

We've already got it booked (we just booked a few dates a couple of weeks ago) but if you don't want to play then we can find other opposition and play on another date - we have June 15, July 5 and 26 booked as well.

Then we could play you at Belair at some point in the summer in a return match, which you'll get booked.

The only proviso is that you do your best to get 11 on the pitch. Neither team can guarantee getting 11 - I'm sure we'll find it difficult - but it's a bit rubbish if both teams turn up with seven or eight.

So we want you to be confident you'll get a team, even if you don't manage it on the day (if you see what I mean).

Also, if you were looking for other teams to play at a similar level we played a team last year called the Battersea Badgers who I'm sure would be up for playing you and there are others we can put you in contact with.

So how's about it? Do we have a fixture?

[LeonWatson]

P.S. Very pretty girls are welcome too Piers.

[MadWorld74]

Mr MW74 plays league cricket for Streatham Marlborough....if you guys need some pre season training tips I'm sure he'll oblige....if you buy him a beer afterwards ;-)

[SaveShambo]

I'm certianly interested in a rematch- we were, after all, robbed last year! nothing better than reminding oursleves how unkind the years have been...

[mockney piers]

looks like its game on. I suppose it's only right that as you visited last year, we should make the effort this year. Any preferences on date?

[Keef]

Not July 26th, as I'm planning a big 30th bash that weekend!

[*Bob*]

Excellent.

I may even turn-up and watch (incognito, naturally)

[mockney piers]

I honestly wouldn't. Fun it was, good spectator fare it wasn't, just a bunch of no longer quite so youthful blokes creaking under scudding skies.

Cold beer and the company of some lovely ladies on the plus side though.

[*Bob*]

So.. apart from the beer, girls and chance for snigger - not much going for it then?

Fair enough.

[LeonWatson]

Ok, shall we pencil in May 18 for the game on Wandsworth Common?

And we'll have to come up with a date for the other game but there's no rush. I'll talk to my people and you talk to your people...

Now let the banter and bravado begin!

[Brendan]

A cursory check of the diary suggest that May 18th is free. This doesn?t necessarily mean that plans have not been made for me on that day so I will have to check on it tonight. Should be ok though.

Now if I only had some ?people? I could talk to...

[spadetownboy]

cricket,zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[mockney piers]

thanks for that STB. Why not come along and play? You might change your mind (or at the very least drink lots of cold beer)

[peckhamboy]

Would love to but can't make the 18th unfortunately. Hopefully i'll be around for the 'home' leg though.

[mockney piers]

who could resist being a part of such a mighty outfit

especially as we'd need 2 more

[paragon]

do you all have a cricketing background of some description - i.e post education? Or were some of you complete rookies. What did you do for pads, boxes, etc?