New Canon Pastor appointed - Truro Cathedral

CRICKET
Robert Preston, our Cricket Correspondent,
reports on the annual match against the
Mayor’s XI.
The sky was threatening rain, as I arrived at the
ground full of trepidation!! Brian Spong had asked
me to be captain, but I declined as I had little experience.
So, one of the Ladock Cricket team was in
charge, and promptly won the toss, and elected to
bat. The sky was very dark and overcast, so I knew
there would be movement off the seam. Two of our
Choral Scholars opened the batting, Joseph making
six runs before being bowled out while Tim made
thirty four before retiring. Humphrey made twenty five
before also retiring. I managed to score two runs
before I was caught and bowled by the Parks Depart-
Country Skittles
Once again, on 24 June, the long awaited Servers’
outing of the year to Country Skittles took place,
which included members of the choir and office staff.
The meals and coach were booked and the pick n’
mix safely packed. Last year’s winners cup was retrieved
from Canon Perran, as he commented in a
leisurely way that ‘he was feeling rather laid back this
year , hoping another team would win!’
Following Evensong, everyone boarded the 33 seater
coach and settled down to enjoy the annual in-house
entertainment and box of pick n’ mix. Each person
received the guidance about their team: Cannon Perran’s
team being appropriately named the Cheetahs,
Canon Peter’s- the Puffins, Chris Gray’s- the Skylarks
and Peter Hewson’s -the Eagles. The competitive spirit
was high, with the common aim of ensuring that despite
Canon Perran’s claim of being ‘laid back’ this
year, he was definitely going to be defeated.
Following the purchase of the liquid refreshments,
everyone began the first game with great enthusiasm
from the onset. Each team leader was very keen to
keep their team members speedily bowling in order to
win the first game. Whilst carrying out my matronly
duties, I happened to notice the beads of perspiration
beginning to appear on Canon Perran’s brow, and
his anxious looks towards the other lanes. When suddenly,
a loud cheer went up from the Skylarks as their
last bowl scored the winning number they were waitment
Manager. Our team managed to notch up a very
respectable total of 148 for 7 wickets in twenty overs despite
some torrential rain during the first half of the innings.
Then it was the turn of the Mayor's team to try and
beat our total. They were bowled out for seventy runs with
three wickets falling off the bowling of Tim with plenty of
wides!! And even Humphrey, plus myself, taking a wicket
in memory of the late Chris Opie who was a fine cricketer
in his day. The batsman was completely spread eagled
with his middle stump flying out of the ground. We won
the game just before the rain came back, and we all enjoyed
sumptuous beef burger rolls and sausages!! The
raffle made a lot of money. Brian Spong asked me to receive
the engraved tankard which was an honour. This
will be in the Cathedral Office for twelve months .
I would like to thank Brian Spong for getting the team
together and for doing the scoring , and liaising with the
Mayor's team to get another date, as the original date
was called off due to rain.
ing for. Was that a fleeting look of disappointment
that swept across Canon Perran’s face?
The meal, which had been prepared by the two new
chefs, was thoroughly enjoyed by all and washed
down with some more liquid refreshments. The excitement
was now mounting as everyone prepared to
begin the second game.
The Skylarks got off to a flying start, followed closely
by the Puffins who got their beaks stuck in, the Eagles
sharp eyes were well focussed and the Cheetahs sped
off into action. Bowls were being rolled at a furious
pace whilst each team took the lead at various stages
in the game.
Canon Perran
was constantly
checking his
team’s scores
as well as the
other teams.
Until the cry
went up and
low and behold
we had a winner,
the Puffins!
With a gracious
smile,
Canon Perran
presented the
cup to Canon Peter ‘well done and well deserved’ we
heard him say; but I think we have a pretty good idea
of what he was really thinking!!
Anne Marie Rickard (Matron)
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