Handy for Andy

August Bank Holiday Sunday can only mean one thing and , no, we don't mean sitting in traffic trying to battle your way to Skeg Vegas. The more discerning were heading to Leicester Road for Andy Stanley memorial day. Time to raise funds, raise your bats and raise your glasses for a much missed former club member who was taken from us 11 years ago.

The advertising promised raffle, refreshments and quality cricket. Well, as the song went 2 out of three ain't bad. The raffle went well, the Chob de que churned out burgers in a manner that old Ronald McDonald himself would have been proud but the sporting stuff on the square was more high quality banter than high quality batting and bowling. (Please note the women's softball and Junior games are exempt from the above, they clearly looked like they knew what they were doing).

Brij and Yak were Captains for the day. It's unclear who won the toss but Yaks team grabbed the willow and Brij managed to skip (past) the loo with his chosen warriors.

Now, it's only an interclub game but the loser was down for an ice bucket down the shield and it was bragging rights too. Incredible then that team de Yak found themselves 3 down in short time. At this point Brij might have been thinking that this captaincy lark was a doddle and his mind presumably wandered to the raffle where, as we were all aware, there were toilet rolls to be won.

If we thought things had peaked Anna bowled some lovely stuff, Walshy took a couple of lovely stumpings and an outrageous one handed grab. Yaks team cleared 100, but not by much. This though paled into insignificance compared with the rapturous heroes welcome received when Frank Smith made his first return since his recent health issues. Almost brought a tear to the eye, welcome back Bud!

It was a target that's shouldn't have caused too many issues. Player of the match Fergus played a good knock in addition to his lovely bowling, Jimmy Loomes hit a couple of towering sixes, poor Lucy was mercilessly run out, Bobby Upple was going to get a positive mention but his dodgy bucket hat soon stopped that. Despite the scoreboard looking positive all the way Brij still couldn't believe his luck. It was all over with 2 overs to spare.

We can't bring Andy back but those of us who knew him would say with a fair degree of certainty that he would have enjoyed the fun and rather irreverent proceedings that went on in the name of the sport he and we all love.

Thanks to all who prepared , attended or enjoyed in anyway. This one was for you Andy, rest in peace mate.