The Test Wattlesprigs v Shepperton CC

Award Winners Rick Jones & Adam Thewlis

Noel & Gary Duns with Todd Duns Medalist Adam Thewlis

The crowd at the "Test Match"
Two guys who made a few in the test surronded by two who didn't

Neil Thewlis may not try partying with the young uns again!!

Yesterday marked the "Spriggers" final game of the tour. The final match of the tour is a game steeped in history against the Shepperton CC in outer London. The origins date back to Graham Gemmill's orginal tour back in 1983, every tour since has played the last game against "Shepp". The tour selectors pick the best performed team to play in the "test match" to play for the "ashes". Much to our disappointment we haven't the best record in this match and this year was no different. Capt Rick Jones won the toss and batted and that was about as good as it got. Apart from another great knock of 89 run out from our gun bat Mark Moffat and 21 from the skip the Spriggers didn't muster many finishing at 9/179 from 45 overs. This proved to be no where near enough as the Shepp boys knocked them over 6 down with 8 overs to spare. Jordon Whiting and Rick Jones being the pick of the bowlers.

On the bright side the hospitality from Shepperton CC was first rate. At the conculsion of the match a couple of important awards where made. The Todd Duns Award for the best feilder on tour went to Adam Thewlis and the Graham Gemmill medal for the best player over the entire tour went to Rick Jones. Congratultions to you both on a fantastic tour boys. The 'after match' kicked on back at the hotel as it was the final night for some and the last chance to relive old glories as a group.

So that about ends the tour with some tourist off to Paris for the day and many checking the sights of London before the long haul back to Australia. Many thanks to the Gemmills and Bertha for a great trip and make sure to think of the Wattlesprigs when your at home, not standing in queue for no reason, getting reasonable service, not listening to a Pom whinge win they save a test match, or know that summer lasts for for more than 4 weeks!!

Thanks everyone and hope you all had a super time and look forward to seeing everyone in OZ.

Love it!!!

Footnote: Thanks to Adam 'Jacko' Jackson for maintaining the blog over the last few days while 'Big Sprig' was away.