As ever Tour started as various golfers and other travellers reached the George or Hussaaaar in Frocester. As the squad had a leisurely lunch … Captain Coops remarked that there were not eleven players at the hostelry !! Mobile phones were revved up and it transpired Gorey’s fun bus had departed in late July and was en route to the Lygon via every Budweiser sales establishment in Bucks , Oxon and Gloucs.

The Club’s best Tosser did the business and the Rangers batted first …. It is fair to say that it wasn’t pretty but the ball was smote to all parts !! Most of the Rangers batted and the key scorers were …. Including the Tour Manager Emeritus …, who was substituting for the “elected” tour manager whose wife had “elected” to take him to Egypt for a family tour !!

The Fun Bus arrived eventually … the batting order was rearranged (as was the changing room when the male orientated literature and Halibert with his DVD appeared) and the boys were able to declare without Lol having to get to the crease. There was the odd wild shot in the Tea Room and as ever Tea was masterly.

The Frocester Innings started at a reasonable pace …. With Spud and Clint not quite keeping the brakes on !! However …. The Rangers had checked out the oppo .. and had realised that after a few wkts were taken the “ Gamekeeper “ himself would come into his own. Wickets fell to OO … and Lol .. and then the batsmen seemed to get shorter and shorter … After a Rabbit came , a vole and then finally a baby shrew whose eyes were yet to open. Needless to say the Frocester boys vainly tried to get our total … but with the fielding being good …. A first win was secured.

During the game a young Aussie called Brandon made his tour debut .. far too serious and far too loud at the crease … but a good addition to the tour .. but more of him later !! After TShirts , Green Ones and a few fines had been administered .. the boys repaired to the Lygon !! The Boys settled in for a lengthy session …. Having checked in … and having been bought a welcoming drink by Lygon Arms Supremo Ivor “ Top Gear” Potter. The first night was a relatively casual affair .. and most of the boys were in bed for daylight !! 

Tuesday dawned Dark and Stormy …. Not the weather !! That was great .. I’m referring to the breakfast room……. But after failing to complete the “Spudoku” .. the convoy set off for the Bowling Green at Hadley. Spookily we won the toss at Ombersley and batted first. The boys did well against a moving ball … Dipak did well , the Aussie twins little and large chipped in ….. Spleef was confused with Twin Bruv Wolfie … Coops was serene and Spud was stiff from the previous day’s spell !! A good declaration was made … giving both sides a chance !!

One of Richmond’s more fiercesome pace duos Spleef and Spud opened up and the lids were called for immediately. The bowling of the duo plus Deaksy and OO was good .. but chances went down including the Ombersley MOM … and the runs were achieved with time to spare.

Tuesday night …. Started slowly .. but then the Games began !! The highlight of the evening was Brandon’s game of animal impressions …..Crusher’s Anteater , Clint’s Meerkta , Spud’s Moose were among many great impressions …. And my apologies to all not mentioned !! as it was a fantastic display by The Rangers !!

On Wednesday the golfers went to Ingon Manor. The Boys met at Stratford Bards to find no oppo. Meanwhile Halibert was still at the Lygon as Dipak had forgotten him … D’oh!! …. This error by the Bards .. mean’t a long night was promised …. And carnage would ensue. The Pigs came out .. and much ale was consumed!! Tour discretion (and my memory) prevents me going further.

On Thursday a great invention … Ashes Brekkie in the Skittle Alley with the big screen … Top Gear admin. Off to the Fish Inn and then over to Exhall and Wixford where the welcome was as good as ever. Wickets fell steadily … and a total that probably wasn’t big enough scored. However after tea …. E & W … contrived to make heavy weather of the total. Lizzie managed to convince the skipper of the day she could bowl … L’erreur de garcon d’ecole !! In the end Nick Stevenson tied an end up and E &W finished short …. A draw !!

After the game a great fines session followed … but then the highlight of the week was revealed “ Albieoke”… as Halibert produced his i-pod … laptop … speakers and KTel “Inyerlivingroom” Karaoke Kit. He put on “Wonderful World” .. and the Rangers had found a new pursuit. Some who were laughing too much failed to sing … and those who weren’t laughing went hoarse trying to imitrate Albert doing Louis Armstrong !! However … it was when Albert revealed his shake , rattle and roll .. that a true talent was unearthed !!

Back at the Lygon … the singer was warming up .. as were Henry and friends who were out on a birthday bash .. and Struth , Shortcake , Kate , Bry , Shawna had also tried to find the fast route to nowhere city ……. As the singer started as did a Tour First !! Crush , Wolf and others had formed a set of sliding / revolving doors !! A long long time ago ….. the singer couldn’t sing the chorus quicker than us !! …. And Simon and Garfunkel … did intend a bundle to accompany the chorus of one of their greatest hits !!

Then the best version of Haliboke appeared !!... Albert our crooning , big handed , kiwi … showed us his full repertoire. Who needs a singer when we’ve got a fish !! There was a fair amount of top class batting in the bar …. Needless to say Tour etiquette prevents me from going further ….. except there were some regular scorers and some new strikers !! ……

Friday’s breakfast was quiet !! … then the eleven strong and true went and bashed up Bourton.

So , played four , won two , drawn one , lost one. ….. Another great tour … where about thirty Richmond members had a great social week.