15/08/2026
Final Match – Home v Grimoldby - What’s the Story? Morning Glory?
“All your dreams are made
When you’re chained to the mirror and the razor blade
Today’s the day that all the world will see”
Morning Glory – Oasis from (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?, 1995
What a night! WHAT A NIGHT! Normally on the way home I put my tunes on shuffle, or ponder some great literary works, for an apt and inspirational quote. Yet this time I’ve started with an Oasis quote, for 2 reasons – firstly it was an absolute rock and roll atmosphere at the Den on Thursday – huge crowd for the end of season bonanza to see whether we could win a single game in the season and prevent Grimoldby stealing the title from our old Division 2 comrades Waltham Millers; and secondly, Billy Wright spoke passionately about the arousing effects of some zinc tablets he’d been taking – a notable side effect of which is increased blood flow to the groin region around dawn...
Dave Bedlow arrived hauling a cool box packed to the rafters with beers and the party was quickly in full swing as the crowds filled both sides of the clubhouse, with Grimoldby also bringing a plethora of fans and well-wishers to see if they could sneak over the line to become Division 1 champions.
We’ll, today’s the day that all the world will see...
To the match –
Following a season of trying to scrape a side together, Thursday was abound with players. 13 no less, but ad so often this season, our knights in shining amour Filo and Hoops Snr this time gladly stepped aside.
Grimoldby won the toss and elected to bat. Billy Wright, stiffened into his spell with great gusto and furious pace (she’s clearly a lucky girl...). Grimoldby set the umpiring tone with little leeway on accuracy and so a few wides and byes were the first thing to contribute to the scoreboard, aided by standing wicket keep Hoops Jnr who’s night got off to a tricky start behind the stumps to say the least. A few words of “encouragement” from Billy however soon sparked something inside the human enigma that is Mark Hooper and soon lead to what was one of his best evenings for the Super Rams, starting with what was actually one of the greatest takes you’ll see - a full length diving half chance, somewhere between first and second slip, that miracle upon miracle actually stuck! Jubilant scenes erupted and this sparked a bit of something in the boys and the crowd.
Reasonable spells from Random and Birkwood against hyper aggressive batting, the former just missing out on success by the finest of margins on a couple of occasions, but Sam Horner was again in the wickets, showing great shape and huge promise for the future.
In the dying overs Captain Random called on the reliable hands of Gary Spencer, who duly obliged in his single over returning 1 for 1 caught and bowled, and the Prince of North Thoresby himself Jack Flockton – receiving a rousing reception from the crowd – who did not disappoint with 2 of the greatest overs in the club’s long history! Looping, swaying, moonballs dropping in the most awkward of spots lead to a beautiful stumping by Mark Hooper to take the prized scalp of Jake Hamilton (68), which was followed by a beautiful runout with a tidy pick up from Hoops from a deadly Shreeve through from the outfield. Flockton was unlucky not to have more with Random and Barker both spilling catches towards the end.
So Grimoldby finished on a tidy 138 from their 16 overs, but there was magic in the air and perhaps the crowd could give us that few extra percent we’d been missing all season.
Carter and Barker to open. Sadly Barker buoyed by the crowd flashed at his first ball and the wicket tumbled. And Tyler, Spencer and Wright also fell quickly to take Justin Owen to a tidy 4-for with not much to trouble the scorecard. Meanwhile however, Tom Carter was merrily crashing the runs, despite those about him faltering.
Enter stage right, Mark Hooper – cometh the hour, cometh the man – powerhouse 26, sticking around and allowing Carter to get to an unbelievable 90,until Spence finally skittled him. Now it was squeaky bum time as the remaining balls dwindled, but the margin narrowed. Shreeve entered the fray. Surely he’d take us to the line? No – LBW after 2. Now it was time. Flockton and the Venerable Sheep eyeballed each other – who was to go?
“Most humbly on my knee I beg the leading on the vanguard” Flockton asked his beloved Captain. “Take it, brave Jack – and how thou pleasest God – dispose the day...” (I’m paraphrasing...). He strides out. 1 required. Field closes in. Pressure. Crowd holds its breath. Spence floats it in. Slow motion. A slash of willow. The horn of Gondor that was Mark Hooper heralded “runnnnn” and they charged. Oh, how they charged. If Tennyson could only have seen it. Two thoroughbreds Two thoroughbreds bounded majestically – a roar from the sidelines – SUPER RAMS WIN!!!
Celebration and jubilation. What an end. All your dreams are made...
A funny old season. A bit stop-starty in places, but the spirit and camaraderie between the boys unmatched, win, lose or draw, although mainly lose...
And so to finish with a song lyric that did crop up on shuffle – to the boys of North Thoresby Cricket Club – Super Rams one and all – a great summer – I wouldn’t want to lose with anyone else!
“Hey, don’t falter
You know we ought to be together
When you’re with me its always summer..."
Don’t Falter by Mint Royale feat. Lauren Laverne, 1999
