We are close to the Common and the Finger Post, two distinctive features in Pelsall. The field of play is settled at the junction of the Walsall Road and Vicarage Road. It has a gradient slightly steeper that the one at LORDS and falls from a high point at the Walsall Road to a low at the Canal, hidden behind an established hedge of Leyland trees. These were planted in recognition of the club`s centenary in 1985. Unfortunately, some of the locals saw this as an opportunity to enter in to the horticultural business and uprooted the saplings and tried to make a bob or two off Brownhills` market. They were quickly retrieved and replanted and form an attractive element to this enclosed cricket oval. It`s a big ground, the biggest in the SCCC., and the golden oldies gathered for this event are rightly proud of this sward of green and cherish its many memories, formed from seasons gone. Now is today`s turn to add to the tally and Captain and wicketkeeper of Pelsall, Nobby Clarke led his team out followed by Richard Jones (Wednesbury ) and G Owen (Wednesbury) as the opening batsmen. Jones was soon out caught by McPherson at backward point off an ill-timed shot for 0. No wonder he looked longingly at his bat as he made his slow walk back.

Jarvis(Springvale.) also failed to apply himself. He was back in the tent for O and Owen joined them, after flicking one superb shot off his legs for 6 off bowler Blews, for a paltry 16. Three wickets down, all to Pennell, with less than 20 on the board. Pennell bowled from the old Vicarage Cres. end, and how well he used the new ball as an opening bowler: he caused doubt in the batsman’s mind. Each batsman played and missed several times before his dismissal. The number 4, Matharu (Wednesbury), took it upon himself to try and charge the opening bowlers. A strange concept knowing the total and the wickets lost. No runs ensued. He decided on a new tactic : lusty drives, only to be dropped by Degville at Mid off, off bowler Watts, who had replaced Blews at the pavilion end. The next ball he tried again and was caught this time by the same fielder. This was not representative cricket. If this was the School versus the Old Boys, Jones, Owen and Matharu would be in the Headmaster`s study first thing tomorrow morning.

Captain Bulpitt expressed concern and it registered with Fildes who batted much better that he did in the last match against the Worcestershire league and he and King (another Wednesbury figure) sought to claw the game back. Fildes grew in confidence and King hung around until he was bowled by Watts for 7. Fildes continued to please and in the company of his friend Henderson, both from Beacon C.C., a partnership looked likely. They ran well together and the score was 79 for 5, when sadly for Fildes he was caught by Blews off the bowling of Jones for 30. Enter the SCCC Captain, Bulpitt (Milford Hall) @ 79 FOR 6. He and Henderson had to find the runs from somewhere to save the blushes of the Championship Clubs, except for Pelsall who thought the numbers about right to say the least. A partnership was necessary to give the SCCC. any chance. Bulpitt is very experienced and at this important point he just hung in there and let Henderson have as much of the strike as possible. Henderson gradually emerged and runs came. He drove well through the covers to the rope and 2 and 3`s came through mid on. The pendulum swung the other way as the bowlers wilted and Bulpitt joined his partner in the affray. How often in a game does one find runs easy to come by where previously none existed? Henderson grew in stature and reached 50 whilst making his intentions clear for something bigger. They ran fervently between the wickets and runs came more easily which pleased the batting captain well. None of the senior Pelsall spectators or old players thought they would reach 200 - but they did. The innings closed on 203 for 6 in 45 overs. Henderson and Bulpitt had put on an unbroken 7th wicket stand of 124. Is this a SCCC. Record? Henderson hit 90 not out in 71 balls with 11x 4`s and Bulpitt 39 not out with 5x 4`s. For the bowlers: Pennell 9.3.39.3 was the best. Watts 7.0.31.2 and Jones 6.0 35.1 . Blews and Grainger were wicketless.

It rained sharply during the tea break but not of any duration to reduce the contest although the slightly damp outfield did the fielding side no favours. The opening bats, Grainger and Marsh started with a lot of local knowledge. Grainger uses the gradient well with smartly placed dabs to the third man boundary and compact shots to backward square leg. Some consider Grainger the best opening bat in the Championship and he certainly relishes the thought. Marsh who has not had much luck recently hit the ball hard and straight and they combined and contrasted well as an opening pair. The scoreboard ticked over nicely and gave the golden oldies an opportunity to draw on their extensive memories of former events to recall, amongst numerous other, when Alan Barton took 10 for 52 against Yoxall in 1975 and when Clive Rice and Richard Hadlee from Notts., came here in 1985.The total had reached 44 without loss when Marsh was caught by the wicketkeeper King off Mountford (Aldridge ) for 17. Jones joined Grainger and they kept the scoreboard ticking over. Bulpitt tempered his bowlers cleverly and entered and withdrew himself from the attack for a more critical time as the total passed the hundred mark. Grainer reached his 50 and looked confident before he was deceived by Bulpitt to be bowled for 64 trying to cut a ball on off stump. He came off to much applause. Pelsall were very much in this game even though Jones went for 26 and the young Hooker, son of a famous Pelsall father, for 0.

Captain Clarke and campaigner McPherson pushed on but found it difficult to get Bulpitt out of the inner circle or over the top. Cotterell who had not looked a threat at the pavilion end came back at the Old Vicarage Cres end and together with the interspersing of the Captain and the bowler Oldham Pelsall`s chances receded. Clarke went for 29 and the lower order of Degville, Watts 8 not out, Pennell and Blews had to try against the odds after McPherson was run out with 3 overs to go. Pelsall closed on 189 for 9 and lost in 45 overs by 14 runs. Bulpitt`s middle overs were crucial. He delivered his 5th, 6th and 7th over without a single run being scored and took 2 wickets. A lot could be said about how to tackle Bulpitt`s bowling but whatever the projected suggestions they will have to be practised and employed in a future match. He finished 9.3.22 .3 and perhaps his image together with all the other players and officials will hang on the wall of life in the Pelsall pavilion, to be recalled at some future date. Well done everyone and thanks to the Umpires T, Cotton and C.Jones the event passed wonderfully.

Congratulations to Pelsall on reaching their 125th birthday.