The following poem was dedicated to the Sutton Veny Cricket Club on its first attempt at the Village Cricket Championship May 20th 1978:
“The perfect setting,†town folk may say,
Shut in their cars and on their way
To other places far and wide,
Or just enjoying a quiet ride,
They drive through village with church serene,
School and cottages all nice and clean,
They seldom see a wondrous sight
Of all those men all dressed in white.
They fail to hear that mellow sound
Of bat and ball on the cricket ground.
Sutton Veny has many a man
With gloves and pads and bat in hand,
Each Sunday afternoon it’s true,
If wife permits, Saturday too!
This bunch of goodly, handsome men,
Devote spare time to make and mend
Equipment for their favourite sport,
Or just go there to have a talk!
Many a fool may wonder why
This love of cricket just doesn’t die,
But then perhaps they’ve never found
The thrill one gets on a cricket ground.
Village Competition is now the thing,
And even if they never win
“The Haig,†as it was always called,
It makes each strive with one accord.
The Captain, known as Peter Swain,
Makes perfection the constant aim.
John Cooper, quiet plumber he,
Will bat most steadily.
Rob Hawkins, seam bowler, so beware,
For hitting stumps is his only care
When on that field, with ball clasped tight
He hurls it down with all his might.
Charlie Cobell likes to view
His telly set, and Arsenal too!
But wicket keeping is his joy,
And oh the cheers from man and boy
When catching, stumping, he is fast
To make the batsman out at last.
Edward Abelson they say
Has a moan when on his way
Back to pavilion, head bowed low
He feels it’s wrong he has to go!
But then Vice Captain Trevor Smith
Walks out, hoping he will not miss
A golden opportunity
To score some runs before it’s TEA.
Wages are the thing in mind
When big Dave Taylor is behind
An office desk, at work each day,
But all his worries fly away
And good catches he will make,
Although the ground sometimes will shake,
When down he goes with heavy thud,
Then finds his “whites†are caked with mud!
“Breakdown Service – Any Timeâ€,
Says Graham Cripp’s garage sign,
But please remember he’s not free
If cricket’s where he wants to be!
David Eyres, a left hand man,
Will bowl as fast as any can.
A farmer with his cows to feed,
He feels there is a greater need
To enjoy a friendly game,
And not make life too much a strain!
Steve McFerran a long run needs
If his job is to succeed,
Bowler he is, and Paul Trim
Manage to make things look grim
If you’re a batsman in your prime
And fail to hit the ball in time,
For stumps then fly all over the place,
Which brings a smile upon the face
Of the Sutton Veny team
When out there on that field of green.
There are other men I hear
Have joined the Cricket Club this year,
And so to all you men so keen,
Even if it is a dream,
I hope success will come your way
With that game you love to play!
