Hook & Newnham Basics’ cricketers will be up with the larks on Saturday morning as they prepare for arguably the longest day out in Southern Premier League history.
Dawn will barely have broken over North Hampshire when Matt Love and his troops assemble at 5.30am for the Division One trip to Ventnor’s Steephill bowl.
Then it’s off down the M3 to catch the 7 o’clock car ferry from Southampton to East Cowes and onward across the island to Steephill in good time for the pre-match warm up.
“It was the only time we could get a boat booking. It’s bank holiday and very busy,” explained Hook chairman Keith Lovelock.
“We’ll have plenty of time for a spot of beach cricket on the sand at Shanklin.”
Hook certainly won’t have any cause to rush through their overs as the earliest crossing they can get back to the mainland is 10.30pm !
“The lads will be lucky to get back to Hook by one o’clock on Sunday morning,” added Lovelock, who may take some persuading to keep the KGV bar open for the return of the team mini-bus.
“But at least we’ll stay for a beer or two in the Ventnor clubhouse, which is always a nice place to visit.”
Financial sideline : the trip is costing Hook & Newnham Basics a cool (wait for it) £500 ...
Dawn will barely have broken over North Hampshire when Matt Love and his troops assemble at 5.30am for the Division One trip to Ventnor’s Steephill bowl.
Then it’s off down the M3 to catch the 7 o’clock car ferry from Southampton to East Cowes and onward across the island to Steephill in good time for the pre-match warm up.
“It was the only time we could get a boat booking. It’s bank holiday and very busy,” explained Hook chairman Keith Lovelock.
“We’ll have plenty of time for a spot of beach cricket on the sand at Shanklin.”
Hook certainly won’t have any cause to rush through their overs as the earliest crossing they can get back to the mainland is 10.30pm !
“The lads will be lucky to get back to Hook by one o’clock on Sunday morning,” added Lovelock, who may take some persuading to keep the KGV bar open for the return of the team mini-bus.
“But at least we’ll stay for a beer or two in the Ventnor clubhouse, which is always a nice place to visit.”
Financial sideline : the trip is costing Hook & Newnham Basics a cool (wait for it) £500 ...
