Mitch smashes marshmallow world record
Whimple, Devon, 6/9/2014
Match abandoned due to rain
Strongroom: 125-0 [M.Nicholson 75*]
Whimple: [abandoned]
View the Scorecard
Our first visit to Whimple, on a bright, sunny morning. Most of us got to the ground early, and several snoozed for an hour or so on the outfield bank, recovering some lost sleep after getting evicted from Lustleigh earlier in the morning (they had a Colts game starting at 9:30am). As Whimple’s players entered their ground they may have been a little confused to witness the somewhat remarkable sight of Mitch catching marshmallows, in his mouth, as thrown by Joe - including one measured at a world-record smashing 34.2 metres. Guy recorded the whole event on his phone, as evidence for the Guinness World Records adjudication team (though I have little doubt Mitch could repeat the performance in front of their adjudicators, if required). After the excitement died down, Dave P won the toss and ordered Mitch and Ol to get padded up. Our batting order was also bolstered by the arrival of Jules.
Whimple bowled pretty well, but Mitch (75*) and Ol Moore (38*) were adept at picking off and punishing the one or two stray deliveries per over. Mitch in particular looked very well set, and was just starting to really set about the bowlers when steady and consistent rain swept in from the south west. The forecast suggested a short shower...but this one just didn’t stop, and so it was decided to take an early tea.
At this stage, it is essential I also mention two remarkable umpiring incidents - courtesy of Will Davies and Guy Wilson. In the first incident, a Whimple fielder hurled a throw from the outfield, only for it to strike Will in the upper torso - a thumping blow this, but Will took it well. The second incident was even more remarkable, and may never be witnessed again on the field of play. Mitch powered a shot just wide of square-leg, only for Guy, umpiring at square-leg, to scamper towards this well-timed shot, slide onto his knees in characteristic Guy style, stop the ball and swiftly execute his return throw to the stumps. I think most of us on both sides were at first very confused - we sensed something very normal, but also very abnormal, had just occurred...but it took a few seconds to work it out. Guy had seemingly responded instinctively, much as in the phenomenon of ‘muscle memory’ where one consolidates a procedural task, to the struck ball, and simply did what he has done now for 30 years. Stop the ball and throw it towards the stumps. It was a brilliant, bizarre and very entertaining moment.
Tea was again amazing, featuring even further supplies of scones, cream and jam. It was probably one of the best teas I have ever seen.
Anyway, to cut a shortish story short, the rain didn’t stop, and the game was abandoned with Strongroom stranded at 125-0 off 21 overs. Dave P awarded Grant the tourist award for his bowling heroics the previous day, and then we quickly got changed, jumped in our various vehicles and set off for ‘the London’. Great tour though.
Written By: J.Gower
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