Cricket Match at Camp Meeting

A Purkiss

The North England Conference Camp Meeting has some features that can be considered to be a part of the tradition of the event. Amongst them are an early morning devotional, a health emphasis programme and cricket!

Over the past four years the lay members of the NEC have challenged the Ministers to a friendly but very serious cricket match. To date the Ministers have not been beaten but the lay members remain confident that they will be able to mount a successful challenge to the ministers.

On the afternoon of Thursday June 17th, the two teams met at the Southport Cricket Club. The lay members had in some cases travelled to Southport specifically to participate in this match and displayed confidence and skill as the match began. The weather conditions were favourable and the spectators were in high spirits as they created the type of environment that is common at many cricket grounds around the country.

Many of the players in both teams had experience of participating in cricket teams and the level of professionalism was evident throughout the game. The normal rules of the game were largely adhered to with one notable exception, that one team contained a female member in an otherwise male team!

The Captain of the Lay members’ team was Courtney Robinson from the Huddersfield church and the Ministers chose as their Captain Pastor Richard Brooks. The umpires originally chosen were Tim Chisholm of the Camp Hill church and John Scarlett from Walsall; this was later changed partway through the match as Pastor Malcolm Watson was selected to replace Tim Chisholm.

The pace of the match was quite lively as the lay members were put in to bat. There was an early injury which was caused as one of the members attempted to respond to fast moving ball bowled by Pastor Felix Jack. The injured man was taken to the Accident and Emergency Department and although the injury was unpleasant it was not considered serious and the member was able to return to the cricket ground before the match was concluded.

The lay members set a target of 152 runs for the Ministers whose innings was no less eventful. In the 10th over a challenge was made to the Umpires decision that a player was out by LBW. This decision was subsequently overturned with one player returning to the crease following his earlier dismissal. The passion for the game was clearly demonstrated by both sides as the game was closely fought. The match was won comfortably by the ministers who made 154 runs in 17.3 Overs in response to the members score of 151 runs made in 20 Overs.

There was an excellent team spirit amongst the ministers with several of them demonstrating both their passion and skill in the game. The man of the match was Pastor Selburn Fray whose overall performance entertained the crowd.

Speaking to both Captains after the match there was agreement that the ministers’ team played better and were more organised.

One questioned remained however, was it right to challenge the Umpire’s decision? Was it in the spirit of the game or in the letter of the law for the player to be ruled out and later reinstated?

The game is over for another year and it is hoped that another match will continue to reflect both the skill of all the players and also the mutual respect and integrity that is part of the Christian experience.