Gotham Festival washout for 'the follow on'
by Alan Rowley, 26th July 2005

'the follow on' XI suffered its first abandoned match when heavy rain forced the opening fixture of the 2005 Gotham Festival to end prematurely. Making their first appearance in the Festival, 'the follow on' lads had to endure four hours of heavy rain before the game came to the inevitable conclusion.

Jamie Rowley, skippering the side for the first time, won the toss and asked Gotham to bat first on an overcast morning with rain threatening. Openers Gary Kerslake and Mark Kennedy made a steady start seeing off opening bowlers Dave Brooks and Dave Greaves without loss.

Gary Edginton was forced to give up his keepers gloves to Tony Palling after the third over when he took a couple of balls from Brooks on the finger end. Dwayne Buckley replaced Brooks, but he too found no success as the hosts passed fifty. Skipper Rowley turned to his brother Luke in an attempt to slow the scoring rate, but it was Rowley senior who gained the only success of the game forcing Kerslake to play on for 32.

'the follow on' players prepare to demolish the lunch

With the score on 77 for 1 off 23 overs, the rain started to fall and the players adjourned to the bar. Lunch was served in the marquee, but the rain continued unabated. Finally, at 3:45pm, all hopes of re-starting the game were abandoned and the players made an early return up the M1.

It was a big disappointment to the Gotham players and officials who saw the first heavy rain for weeks ruin the start of their festivities. Hopefully, the game can be renewed in 2006 and 'the follow on' lads can enjoy the hospitality to the full.

Match scorecard - click here.