THE RODNEY LAYTON TESTIMONIAL TROPHY

31st August 2014

Probably the largest gathering of cricketing families ever seen at BBLCC stood around the fine and ancient pavilion in the late afternoon sunshine on the majestic cricket ground at Downton Hall near Bitterley to hear chairman Peter Naylor deliver a valedictory address celebrating Rod Layton’s massive contribution to our cricket club for over a decade.

Quondam secretary Alan Reid then described a trip to Silverstone and Formula One race cars. Bernie Ecclestone will perhaps be there to close the doors on the speeding machines as Rod hurtles round the track. It is a noble gift from BBLCC to one of its most splendid servants.

We were at Downton Hall through the good offices of Stuart Squire. When he explained to Mr Wiggins the nature of the proposed day, the Downton Hall ground, beautifully mown with perfect cross stripes of grass not usual in village cricket, was instantly made available without charge. The view from third man is one of the finest in Europe with a panorama from the Wrekin through the two Clee Hills across the Malverns and on to Hay Bluff so spectacular that Douglas Griffiths, gazing raptly at the scene, was nearly struck down by a falling high ball which he neither heard nor saw so ravished was he by the embrace of the scenery.

For it was also a very sunny summer day. Catches were difficult to hold when the bowling came from the Pavilion end. Huw Evans reached for a hard return catch but the sun misguided his hand and the ball bounced out. But it bounced out onto the adjacent stumps and took down the bails and the non-striking batsman was away down the track and was thereby out. So Huw got his wicket.

Robert Wells further gilded his already glittering timing reputation by being again run out. Driving the ball straight over the bowler he saw it flying towards the capable hands of Dominic Bunting and knowing his fate, stopped half way down the wicket. But Dominic dropped the catch. Robert slowly restarted his run. But Dominic hurled the ball in and smashed up the wicket before Robert got home. Dominic went on to score the maximum allowed number of runs in both his innings and was probably the second best performer on the day. The best performance came from Lee Alford who was particularly lethal in bowling of terrifying power, a power he kindly moderated to allow the several talented youngsters from Moor Park School a chance to build up their already considerable skills.

It was appropriate therefore that the Rodney Layton Trophy was awarded to Lee in its first appearance. A match within and between club members will be played for the cup every year in future. The silver bowl now stands with other BBLCC memorabilia in the main bar of The Sun Inn