(no subject)

Walked over to Bill's (in the rain) at 8.30 yesterday morning to drive to the Rose Bowl for Hampshire v Essex in the C&G Trophy. Thankfully by the time I got to Bill's the rain had faded, so we knew we'd see some cricket although we guessed rightly that there'd be a delay. As I hadn't seen Bill since last September, on the drive I had to tell all about Melbourne once again.

When Hampshire lost 4 wickets for just 12 runs things looked grim, but Kevin Pietersen saved the day with a magnificent 98 - everyone in my section was gutted when, trying for a grand stroke that would have given him his ton, he got out lbw. We all stood up to give him a standing ovation as he walked to the pavilion. The next few batsmen all pushed the score along nicely to give us a quite respectable total of 257 for 9.

I was sat next to a South Londoner and his wife (his allegiance was truly with Surrey, but as he now lives in Southampton he's happy to lend Hampshire his cheers when they play anyone else); throughout the day the husband and I compared notes on the game and the Hants players' performances. In front of me were a bloke who supported Northampton Town FC but was unaware that they'd won promotion on Saturday, and his two young sons, one of whom asked "Does that mean Northampton will be in the Champions' League next season?" Bless. Behind me were a husband and wife, probably in their sixties, who were Portsmouth FC fans from Portchester, still on a high from Pompey staying up on Saturday. We all had a good banter for most of the day.

Thanks to the rain-delayed start the lunch break was reduced to 30 minutes (for that reason I'd made sure I took up a place within quick dashing distance of the members' restaurant). In the event, there were only two people in front of me in the queue (as lunch was at 2.20, most people who were going to eat there had probably done so during the Hampshire innings). Delicious roast pork and veg - didn't have enough for a Kronenbourg Blanc though, so settled for a coke.

Essex batted steadily, and looked a real threat after Ronnie Irani made 41 and Ravinder Bopara notched 54. The game turned when, after we'd got Bopara out and then dismissed the next batsman for 3, with four overs to go and Essex needing 32 Shane Warne took two wickets with successive balls. In the end they needed 15 off the last over with one wicket remaining; James Foster gave us the jitters hitting the first ball for six, but two balls later he was caught. We'd won.

I gave the Londoner the bowling figures to fill his scorecard out, said my goodbyes to him, his wife and the Pompey couple and made my way out of the stadium with the crowd. As I walked along the patch of grass where the cars were parked to meet up with Bill, some bloke leaned out of the window of a passing car yelling something at the top of his voice. I turned, whereupon he started shouting 'chill out' and 'have a drink' at me (no, he wasn't actually offering any drinks). I just gave him a brief smile and went on walking, whereupon the stupid twazzuck yelled "fuck you, then". Stunned, I turned and exclaimed "You what?" The bloke, who looked totally monged, did a double take and went "Nothing!"

I walked on shell-shocked to Bill's car, only to be greeted by Bill bawling out of the window "ARE YOU GETTING IN THIS CAR OR NOT?!" and other choice words. As I got in he went on to berate me for being slow coming out. I said I didn't think I had been slow. He yelled "I'VE BEEN SITTING HERE WAITING FOR 10 MINUTES!" I told him I had just left the ground at my normal speed, but it didn't do any good. As we sat in the queue waiting to get out, Bill, still ranting, told me that you either rush out to your car as soon as the last ball is bowled or resign yourself to sitting waiting in the queue for half an hour. As it turned out, we got out within a few minutes. It didn't take Bill long to calm down and he talked to me like a civilised human being for the rest of the way, but I still don't need this shit.

Home, for a bit of supper then upstairs to watch the FA Women's Cup Final which I'd set the video for. Before the game there was a little video feature by Sue Smith - and the first person she talked to was Natalie Preston. It made me unbearably nostalgic for the days of Tranmere when those two, the others and I would all have some great craic together; my lip was trembling at speed. The actual match was a complete turkey shoot. Arsenal won 5-0 and Leeds didn't get a single shot on goal. I was sorry for Sue, Nat and Melissa taking such a hiding, but Arsenal were sheer class - you have to take your hat off to Julie Fleeting and Lianne Sanderson, and I was pleased for lovely Kelly Smith getting a goal and a winner's medal after all her injury problems.

Watched National Lampoon's Animal House on Channel 4; went to bed feeling low.