North Nibley Cricket Club - Pratt Cup Winners 2006 & 2007

VICE PRESIDENTS DAY 2007

NNCC’s second Vice Presidents’ Day was once again a much heralded success for the Club and a just reward for those VPs who support us through the year.  Held in June 2007 Oldbury CC made the journey to North Nibley and a large number of Vice Presidents joined us to enjoy a quintessential Village Cricket Experience.

The ground is regularly quoted as one of the finest in Gloucestershire. Rich Harrold’s work on the wicket paid dividends as a superb contest ensued in glorious conditions. The square was as even and crisp as the white linen cloths adorning the tea tables.  Captain Adrian Sherratt had selected a fine side to do justice to the esteemed audience. In fact, Sherratt’s biggest selection headache of the day came at tea time when he had to decide what to put on his plate from the incredible selection of delicious sandwiches, cakes and scones which the players and their other halves had lovingly created.

Ripples of applause from the Vice-Presidents’ marquee complimented some fine stroke play from Nibley’s top order. The home team were keen to produce some exhibition cricket for their club’s ambassadors and they did not fail. ‘Oohs’ and ‘Aahs’ of delight echoed around as the VPs realised that they had supported something special. A young club with burgeoning talent, steady experience and above all, flair.

Interest in the game heightened as the wickets of the Oldbury XI started to crumble like the perfectly baked texture of Wynne Holcombe’s fruit cake. James Pitt’s appetite for the opposition’s bails mirrored the way in which the tea was devoured. Pitt broke stumps whilst the VPs broke bread.

There was no place for any ‘Barmy Army’ in this civilised and sophisticated environment where the occasional chink of fine bone china was matched only by the thwack of leather on willow or the occasional polite laughter at one of Steve Collins’ jokes.

Just reward for the valued supporters was the victory which the home team deservedly toiled for. North Nibley was triumphant both on the pitch and in the stands. If this doesn’t sum up the reason that we live where we do then what does?

This is Village Cricket at its best.

This is North Nibley.

The rain didn’t stop VP Day !

See you at VP Day on Sunday 15 June 2008 – NNCC vs. Chairman’s XI