Bears on Tour: Scarborough

The cricket season has been up and running for a couple of months with Warwickshire solidly in the mix for County Championship honours (albeit making a complete hash of their T20 Blast campaign). Next up is the away fixture against Yorkshire which gives Mr B and I our long awaited chance to experience seaside cricket at Scarborough...

- Scholar's Bar -

To say this is bucket list territory and then some is quite an understatement - Stephen and I have coveted outground cricket in Scarborough for many years, and were infamously denied in 2020 by a small matter of the COVID pandemic. Thankfully there aren't any global health emergencies to stop us this year, although there is heavy Wolverhampton rain to contend with while we wait for our coach to arrive. The journey north involves battling plumes of motorway spray and a soggy stop at Tibshelf Services but Scarborough itself seems drier. We check in, polish off our evening meals and then see about getting a drink or two around the town centre. As such, the Scholars Bar is an itch that needs to be scratched at the earliest opportunity on account of being the reigning three time local Pub of the Year winner. One glance at the range of handpulls and you can see why; Five Towns Black Crunchie Stout has a honeycomb hit hailing from Wakefield as we admire a fine selection of non-league footballing scarves.

- First glimpses of North Marine Road -

The main cricketing action commences on the morning of Friday 12th June at North Marine Road, a venue which has been hosting fixtures since 1863. The ticket office is squeezed between a line of tall guesthouses and the playing field is in a dip below benched terraces - quite a sight for the outground enthusiast. It's filling up rapidly but we navigate the turnstiles, take a seat at the Trafalgar Square End and delightedly note that there are two ice cream vans in attendance. Warwickshire win the toss and elect to field but meaningful breakthroughs are hard to come by. Yorkshire openers Lyth and Luxton seem well set in putting on 102 for the first wicket before the former is despatched for 29, caught behind off Barnard.

- Stephen stakes out the Ice Cream Van -

Almost as important as what's happening on the pitch is the prospect of treats awaiting us at the boundary's edge. Beacon Farm's twin purveyors of dairy delights will see us partaking of their wares each lunchtime, Mr B sticking to his tried and tested vanilla remit while I dabble with flavours of either rum and raisin or cinder toffee. We need the sweetness because it is proving a testing day for the Bears bowling attack; the home side progress to a healthy 386 for 6 by the close, underpinned by a magnificent 167 from Will Luxton (his maiden first class century no less, although on this evidence he'll surely make many more). Handy contributions elsewhere come from Whiteman 55 and Revis 40 while a certain Jonny Bairstow has 49*; followers of the England test side in recent years will know how destructive he can be.

- Chocolate Orange Porter -

As the players head back off to the pavilion, we exit the ground in search of Good Beer Guide plunder although the North Riding Brew Pub is being swarmed by eager topers so we swerve it for now and see what else we can find. Scarborough Borough Council Employees Welfare Club on Dean Road is the kind of timewarp place I dream about discovering and originally was established in 1935 as a bolthole from the local council offices. The sound of snooker balls being potted rivals a BBC Look North news bulletin as I partake of a nice Chocolate Orange Porter, my liking for the dark side unaffected by being away from home. We're not sure how lively Scarborough might get on a Friday night but manage to dodge any party crowds by following up with relaxed drinks in the Scarborough Arms (Peculier Assassin registering as a collaboration between Theakstons and Roosters) and the Golden Ball, Samuel Smith's operating the latter with gorgeous views of the harbour.

- Harbourside Winch -

Talking of the quayside, it is in my sights on the morning of Saturday 13th June whereby blue skies entice me out towards the lighthouse, spotting craft such as 'Puffin' and 'Diana' bobbing about at their berths. Marine Drive takes me around the headland to North Bay although I'd miscalculated how steep the climb would be at the other end. Somewhat breathlessly, I meet Mr B to retake our cricketing seats and watch Yorkshire reach 469 all out. Mr Bairstow makes a bullish 68 and is ably supported by lower order hitting from George Hill and Hasan Ali; as for the Warwickshire bowling attack, there were three wickets apiece for Barnard, Bamber and Manav Suthar, an Indian spinner parachuted in to cover this game and the match at Taunton.

- Breezy and Bracing -

The Warwickshire reply begins with Alex Davies and Dan Mousley both chopping onto their own stumps, things looking wobbly at 38/2. Rob Yates and Sam Hain help steady the ship a little until White Rose pace bowler Jack White busily extracts Hain and Webster in very quick succession: 92/4. Having basked in warm sunshine for most of Friday, suddenly Scarborough takes on a different nature as leaden grey skies and a biting wind match the attritional aspects to the Bears' batting - I'm glad I've got all of my layers on while some other members of the crowd resort to wearing gloves, yes, in the middle of June! Wickets seem to be tumbling in clusters of two today for Yates and Malik succumb to the wiles of Dom Bess's offspin for 65 and 0 respectively. Yates hasn't looked at his fluent best but still grinds out a valuable half century, a feat being matched by captain Barnard who is 60 not out come the close of play.

- North Riding Biscoff Stout -

225 for 7 means Warwickshire are very much in arrears and have it all to do to avoid defeat. Scavenging seagulls swoop in for leftover chips once the spectators drift off home, although a fair few of our fellow sporting enthusiasts have the same idea as us and drift off to the North Riding Brew Pub instead. It isn't quite as packed as it was on Friday night hence we give it a whirl, rewarded with a tasty slurp of Biscoff Stout which carries implied hints of caramelised biscuit brands. Some of the ales sold here are brewed on the premises whereas others are brought over from North Riding's main base in Snainton, you can't get much more local than that! It's too busy to fully appreciate the building's 1930s hotel flourishes but I am impressed, and the same applies when we track down the Alma, a superb backstreet boozer which is the sister establishment to the Frigate micropub. One peek inside and I'm hooked by 1970s style square furniture, full length Magnet Ales advertising panels, a bumpy old floor trodden over by countless shoes, and a cask ale range that excites me, resulting in a great glass of Maxim's Sansom Ale referencing a Vaux Sunderland mainstay. Top quaffing!

- South Cliff Gardens -

Sunday 14th June will be our last day at the cricket, our coach itinerary meaning we won't see the end of the game. My morning constitutional takes me by way of South Cliff Gardens and the elegance of Scarborough's Spa suite, a theatre and conferencing venue which had hosted the Trefoil Guild's annual meeting for former Girl Guides, some of whom have been staying in our hotel. Trooping back across to North Marine Road once more, Stephen is hopeful that the Bears can mount a rearguard action albeit Warwickshire are only able to add another 38 runs before being dismissed for 263. Ed Barnard held the second half of the innings together well, ending on an undefeated 83*, but Hasan Ali (3/50) and the accurate George Hill (2/47) were able to mop up the tail without too much bother.

- Mr Beardsmore surveys the outfield -

Despite engineering a first innings lead of 206 runs, Yorkshire prefer to bat again themselves rather than enforcing the follow on. Will Luxton certainly cashes in, making a flowing 69 to add to his earlier feastings, but there are bowling inroads too. At one stage the score is 115/5 after Oliver Hannon-Dalby finds his stump radar, only for Bairstow and Hill to combine with forceful strokeplay that cements the home side's ascendancy. A declaration at 246/6 sets a nominal target of 453 for Warwickshire to win but survival is really the object now; Yates and Davies are going steadily second time around until the former perishes, edging Hill to slip. The game is in the balance at 44/1 as we relocate to the Albert, keeping half an eye on the Germany v Curacao FIFA World Cup happenings. Our Monday journey home is uneventfully smooth, Mr B undertaking regular scorechecks as Warwickshire graft out the day to secure a hard-fought draw. This maintains mine and Stephen's record of never being beaten in Yorkshire. Cheers!

Bears on Tour: HOVE

Warwickshire's 2025 cricketing season so far can be summed up as being solid without pulling up any trees, so while the Bears remain in contention on all fronts it would take something remarkable to win any honours. County Championship duties now resume after a T20 Blast hiatus and the next stop for Mr B and myself will be Sussex for some South Coast sunshine...

- Worthing Station -

The match will be played at Hove - a ground we haven't visited for thirteen years - but we're actually staying eleven miles away along the coast at Worthing, a refined seaside resort with a residential air about it. The journey down is something of an ordeal with our initial train having to be diverted via Stafford due to an incident near Coventry, and our onward connection from London Victoria being disrupted by a lineside fire. We make it to Worthing Railway Station eventually though and get our local bearings en route to checking in at our Travelodge accommodation on Marine Parade.

- Worthing Pier -

Luggage dropped off at Room 202 and a bit of necessary freshening up performed, we head out to see the sights of Worthing. The beach is all pebbles with little in the way of sand but the promenade is nevertheless an inviting place to be, a gentle breeze offering some relief from the very warm temperatures - and things are set to get hotter! Worthing Pier first opened in April 1862 and is made out of iron with traditional wooden planking; there is an amusements arcade halfway along and an elegant domed bar room at the far end. The Pavilion Theatre is equally as eyecatching as part of the same stretch of seafront, then we branch off to find the main shopping thoroughfare (Montague Street, with a variety of your standard High Street chain stores) whilst Warwick Street is populated by various bars.

- Hare & Hounds -

Our initial pick of the pubs involves the Three Fishes for food (this local Wetherspoons being named for the trio of fish that appear on Worthing's corporate coat of arms), followed by the Corner House on High Street, a place which claims to have the best beer garden in town and we're not inclined to disagree. After being treated to a dancing spectacle and some 90s rave tunes, we finish our first day in Sussex at the excellent Hare & Hounds. Tucked away along Portland Street, this is a 2025 Good Beer Guide entrant where the Harveys Sussex Best is every bit as good as I'd hoped for. A warm welcome encourages us to stop and watch the England U21s beating Germany in the European Championship finals. A cracking night!

- Lunchtime, Day One -

And so to the actual cricket, commencing at 11am sharp on Sunday 29th June. Hove is only a twenty minute train ride from Worthing so we're soon at the ground, as indeed are many other people taking advantage of the free admission. The resultant impressive attendance creates a lovely family atmosphere as Warwickshire win the toss and elect to bat first. Rob Yates and Alex Davies make a very solid start until the latter holes out for 37, but at 113/1 at lunch Mr Beardsmore is a reasonably happy bunny. The only downside to his demeanour was a slight collision with an unexpected speedbump whilst I was distracted eyeing up an ice cream van!

- The Essential Ice Cream Van -

Said Mr Whippy is doing a brisk trade with the thermometer readings climbing sharply for the rest of the day. Cones with flakes are critical sustenance as we watch the Bears innings unfold with Yates and Sam Hain the chief run-getters (93 for the opener and 87 for our middle order mainstay). 372/7 at the close of play is healthy enough although the suspicion is that the pitch is very good for batting and we might not quite have cashed in. Sunday night back in Worthing is then spent sampling the Rose & Crown - a friendly Craft Union boozer on Montague Street - and JB's Bar, where we endure a mixed bag of karaoke performances. One guy belts out 'An American Trilogy' with great gusto (we didn't mind him at all) but the less said about the rendition of 'Little Willy' the better. Our eardrums are still traumatised!

- West Worthing Station -

Me being me, I like to squeeze in aspects of exploration around the cricket and pubs. As such, Monday morning has me venturing along Marine Parade and Grand Avenue into the suburb of West Worthing which has its own railway station - and an impressive one at that, dating from 1889 with an Italianate main frontage (I note that a corresponding station at East Worthing is very much an unstaffed halt with basic platform shelters and little in the way of architecture). Tarring Road has a Co-op, a sequence of other shops, the Conservative Party constituency offices and tempting cafes, plus the Foresters micropub so it's a distinct community for sure. 

- Sussex Building Steadily -

Resuming our watching brief at the County Ground - only this time from the Sharks Stand as opposed to the Cromwell Road End - we can witness the end of the Warwickshire first dig on 415, a cameo of 24 from Ethan Bamber being enough to bag an extra batting bonus point. The hosts' reply is all about laying firm foundations without too many flourishes, so there are relatively few wicket-taking opportunities for the Bears bowlers. Australian off spinner Corey Rocchiccioli looks the most dangerous by a distance and claims the three scalps to fall, as well as bemusing everybody about how we should pronounce his surname. Sussex opener Daniel Hughes had ploughed his way to 151 before being pinned lbw with the day's last ball.

- Railway Hotel Refreshment -

Stephen declares himself to be fairly content at the match position and you can never moan too much about the joys of watching cricket in the sunshine. Monday evening's entertainments entail pubs at either end of our train ride; the Station is literally next door to Hove's awning and taxi rank, and apparently used to be called the Cliftonville Hotel. I partake of their own-badged Station Pale Ale (refreshing enough on a hot day) before we switch to Worthing and try out the Railway Hotel straight outside the station's main entrance. I was seriously impressed by this one, mostly on account of its Victorian heritage appeal but that's not to downplay the quality of more Harveys beer. It still operates as a functioning hotel business too, 35 rooms bookable.

- Rocchiccioli Spins His Web -

Day three at Hove sees Sussex piling on a sizeable total, albeit not with any huge urgency. Their overnight 278/3 is converted into 533 all out, James Coles joining Hughes in getting to 150 to press home the advantage. The Warwickshire bowlers really toiled in the heat, with the luckless Hannon-Dalby sending down 30 overs for no reward. There were a couple of strikes for Bamber who bowled one miserly spell, but the biggest threat again came from Rocchiccioli who deserved his 6/173 through sheer persistence across a mammoth 54.4 overs, I know I'd be absolutely shattered! The Bears are 118 runs in arrears and have knocked off 88 of those for the loss of Yates as the game drifts towards a seemingly inevitable draw.

- The Watchmakers Arms -

Tuesday's liquid libations mostly come courtesy of two very enticing micropubs. Goldstone Villas, just down the road slightly from Hove Station, is home to the Watchmakers Arms which is Brighton & South Downs CAMRA's 2025 Pub of the Year. It's easy to see why: they brew their own ales on the premises, including my choice of Elderflower, and also try to cater for a range of tastes with stouts, milds and ciders available. As for Anchored in Worthing, they pride themselves on supporting Sussex producers hence the presence of Silly Moo Cider from the Trenchmore Farm of Cowfold near Horsham - gorgeous stuff! A 'Bring Your Own Vinyl' night is underway so we enjoy the husky strains of Tom Waits followed by Northern Soul; the pub is on Montague Place, literally in the shadows of the Giant Wheel attraction on Worthing Seafront.

- Hain Holds Firm -

There is technically still some jeopardy on the game as Wednesday 2nd July heralds the last day of the Hove fixture. Sussex could theoretically push for victory if they manage to grab any early wickets, but Alex Davies and particularly Tom Latham look resolute either side of a rain delay and it's soon apparent that the draw is the likeliest outcome. When both are dismissed (for 58 and 69 respectively), Sam Hain takes it upon himself to nullify the home attack when amassing an unbeaten 53* without stroking a single boundary. Honours even then and hardly the most thrilling of finales in truth; even the ice cream van didn't bother turning up!!

- Harveys in the Hare & Hounds -

A meandering draw keeps both sides firmly mid-table in County Championship Division One and we've had a superb time irrespective of the outcome. Our concluding night in Worthing yields one more pub discovery in the form of the Egremont (or the 'Eggie') on Brighton Road, once owned by the Kemptown Brewery with Wine Office and Dolphin Ales. Quirky fixtures and fittings include a light montage fashioned from brass instruments and a French advert for foie gras. They're preparing for a quiz night but we've already committed ourselves to attending the Hare & Hounds equivalent, whereby Bears On Tour finish a respectable third despite our limited recognition of excerpts from the musicals. Cheers, and Come On You Bears!

Bears on Tour 2025: DURHAM

If I ever needed confirmation of why it is I enjoy cricket so much then the County Championship match between Durham and Warwickshire at Chester-le-Street was the perfect reminder. Four days of tough competitive action, culminating in a thrillingly tense conclusion - what's not to love? Here is what unfolded as Stephen and I savoured a North East sporting getaway...

- John Smith's Brewery, Tadcaster -

Warwickshire's 2025 cricketing campaign had got off and running with a home draw against Sussex, but it was still with some trepidation that Stephen and I headed northwards - County Durham in mid-April is not known for the warmest temperatures although the weather looks set to smile on us with plenty of sunshine. Our initial drive up via the A38, M18 and A1(M) is punctuated by a stop at Tadcaster, that timewarp Yorkshire town which is dominated by the presence of two major breweries (John Smiths and Samuel Smiths). Mr B Senior's love for a pint of Beardsmore Bleach is a matter of public record so it seems only fitting that we should see where his favourite drink is made - cue imposing pictures of this bastion of Bitter.

- Tadcaster Albion Football Ground -

Elsewhere in Taddy, we try our hand at River Wharfe fish-spotting (even a novice like me can tell there are some big scaly specimens swimming around in there) before stumbling upon the Young Guns Arena home of Tadcaster Albion AFC. A hearty lunch comes at 21 High Street, a leisurely setting for tucking into the lamb and vegetable Pie of the Week complete with onion gravy - just be careful not to splatter said sauce all over your shoes like I did! Atmospherically derelict properties entice us around by St Mary's Parish Church where I'm intrigued that the chartered accountants firm Haighton, Smith & Dewar only seemingly worked on Thursdays.

- Chester Le Street Town FC -

A further A1(M) trundle via Scotch Corner and the edges of Darlington gets us to Chester-le-Street by teatime, checking in at the Travelodge on Chester Moor as our base for the week. Once we've settled in, we can get to grips with the A167 and surroundings by seeking out a couple of evening pints. Chester le Street Town FC are known as the Cestrians and play at the Moor Ground immediately behind our hotel; their clubhouse proves a very friendly spot for a glass of Caffreys, even if the less said about the team's recent league performances the better! The last time Stephen and I were in this neck of the woods was way back in 2010 but our favourite pub from that holiday - the Butchers Arms - seems as wonderful as ever with a cracking lineup of cask ales, most notably Double Maxim as brewed in Houghton-le-Spring.

- Play underway at the Riverside -

Friday 11th April sees the game commence at the Riverside Stadium, a modern arena in the shadows of Lumley Castle (and currently sponsored by Banks Homes). Durham have won the toss and elected to bat, compiling 343/7 by the close of play. The backbone of their innings is an excellent unbeaten 143 by young opening batsman Ben McKinney, playing with a maturity belying his 20 years of age. Emilio Gay and David Bedingham also make useful contributions while the pick of the Bears bowling attack is Michael Booth who takes three wickets and looks quite a handful. An adopted perch at the Finchale End will do us for the duration of the match.

- Farmer's Blonde in the Butchers Arms -

Strangely enough, Chester-le-Street town centre seems quieter on a Friday night than it had done on the Thursday, not that this deters us from trying a couple more hostelries. The High Crown and Lambton Arms both serve up cheap rounds of John Smiths; the former is a Craft Union affair getting into the Masters golf from Augusta, the latter is a handsome hotel halfway down Front Street where Burnley vs Norwich is the footballing entertainment. The lure of the Butchers Arms again cannot be ignored, so we make that our final port of call for the day in which case a fresh cask of Bradfield Farmer's Blonde makes for great quaffing. Here we get chatting to a fellow Bear (also called Paul) about our hopes for the week - great conversation provided we overlook the fact he's an Aston Villa fan!

- The Slip Cordon wait to pounce -

Onto Saturday 12th April and the home side still seem to be in the ascendancy, ultimately reaching 387 all out as boosted by a swashbuckling Matt Potts half century (McKinney was dismissed for 153). Warwickshire's reply is in danger of disintegrating at 157/6 following a clatter of middle order wickets so it is the unlikely duo of wicketkeeper Kai Smith (79) and the aforementioned Michael Booth (50 not out) who steady the ship somewhat, a close of play tally of 287/8 meaning the Bears are still in the game albeit exactly 100 runs behind.

- Is this an ice cream van I see before me? -

Being at the cricket is not merely about the on-field action though. Part of the charm is having a bit of banter with our fellow spectators, the strolls around the ground during the lunch and tea intervals, and the general escape from the daily grind of work. On a personal level I am keen to exorcise a traumatic memory from 2010, when Warwickshire subsided so quickly on the final morning that the ice cream van had screeched off before I'd had chance to get a consolatory flake. Mr Whippy was not going to get away so fast on me this time and the resultant lunchtime 99 cornets would become an integral part of our daily routine. 

- Colpitts Hotel, Durham -

For our Saturday evening endeavours, Mr B and I took the Angel 21 bus service to Durham, a journey that takes only about twenty minutes via Pity Me, Framwellgate Moor and the Arnison Centre retail park. Dusk is already descending so any Durham sightseeing is put on hold in favour of getting three pub ticks: Ye Olde Elm Tree and the Station House (literally beneath a landmark railway viaduct) both have excellent recent pedigree as regards collecting CAMRA certificates, and ales such as Northern Pale and Jack the Devil cannot be faulted. My heart however is stolen by the Colpitts Hotel, a gorgeous unspoiled Samuel Smiths establishment where the interior has changed little since 1836. XXX Best and a curious gallery of supposed 'Bishops of Durham' make for a highly memorable visit.

- A Booth Blast but Durham's lead grows -

Progressing nimbly into Sporting Sunday (13th April), my thoughts are not just on happenings beside the River Wear but also on what might occur at Molineux and Augusta National. To the cricketing aspects first though: Warwickshire's overnight 287/8 is converted into 325 all out, a deficit of 62 runs, with Booth finishing unbeaten on 58. That man simply can't be kept out of the limelight as he takes the first four wickets in Durham's second innings, reducing them to 64/4 which in turn becomes 125/6 after a scalp apiece for Ethan Bamber and Ed Barnard. An annoying partnership between Bedingham and Ben Raine (81) swings the pendulum back the other way, enabling the home side to declare on 276/8 and set Warwickshire 339 to win. 

- Chester-le-Street Cricket Club -

That target feels like a tall order - especially with an inexperienced batting lineup - but a tricky four overs are negotiated through to the close of play and all results are very much possible. After a Wetherspoons Wicket Gate tea, we relocate to Chester-le-Street Cricket Club for the evening with their clubhouse being located off Ropery Lane. Wolves have beaten Spurs 4-2 for an astonishing fourth successive Premier League win, and then we can watch the drama develop at the Masters Golf where Rory McIlroy puts everyone through the wringer before eventually triumphing in a sudden death play off. Sporting immortality awaits him!

- 90/5: oh dear! -

Warwickshire winning at Durham probably doesn't quite rank alongside fulfilling a Grand Slam of the Golf Majors but it would certainly be an eye-opening result. Monday doesn't get off to the best of starts however; Rob Yates is clean bowled early doors, and despite captain Alex Davies scoring exactly 50, the lunchtime score of 90/5 has the Bears teetering on the brink. Thankfully Barnard and Smith combine for a crucial century stand, and the tension ratchets up a notch with every stolen single, every fallen wicket. Michael Booth makes a painstaking 40 but has his stumps splattered with 15 runs still to get, leaving the last wicket pair of Bamber and Vishwa Fernando trying to get us over the line. It's excruciating, it's compelling and it's... victory when Bamber smacks the winning six! What a wonderful advert for the game!

- Celebrating victory in the Crown Posada -

How do you follow a high such as that? By nipping over to Newcastle for more classic pubs of course! The Angel 21 is again on hand, this time via Birtley, Low Fell and Gateshead before crossing the iconic River Tyne, alighting by the Laing Art Gallery. We'd been recommended the Crown Posada by some friendly Durham fans and it does not disappoint with its green bench seating, stained glass and ceiling cartouches - such a stunning setting for a slurp of Brass Castle's Bad Kitty chocolate and vanilla porter. Equally as exciting is the Bridge Hotel on Castle Garth, itself a Grade II-listed gem where the Riverhead Deer Hill Porter matches such special surroundings. George Stephenson's High Level Bridge is slap bang next door.

- Bolsover Castle -

After all of that fun, Tuesday 15th April could have become something of an anticlimax but we liven it up with a homeward stop in the Derbyshire town of Bolsover. Noted for the Stuart-era aristocratic retreat that is Bolsover Castle, this proves an interesting place to break the slog, especially when we can grab a bite to eat in the Pillar of Rock Wetherspoons (the Welbeck Abbey Sligo oatmeal stout scores highly here). Other notable features include the cenotaph, St Mary & St Laurence Church and inns such as the Cavendish and the White Swan. The M1 and A38 can't detain us much longer and we're back in Wolverhampton by 4pm. Cheers!

Bears on Tour: Taunton 2024

Cricketing escapades have naturally had to go on the back burner in recent months although Stephen and I have been avidly keeping tabs on Warwickshire's County Championship fortunes (namely no wins, two defeats and six draws). However, the away fixture with Somerset now gives us chance to roll out the Bears on Tour bandwagon again for the first time in 2024...

- The Coopers Associates County Ground -

There's a bittersweet aspect to this sporting getaway - it's great that we'll be watching cricket once more but sadness that Mr B Senior isn't there to share the experience with us this year. Nevertheless, Taunton beckons and the M5 motorway is no match for the trusty Beardsmobile as our Sunday morning drive to Somerset is completed in time for us to take our seats without missing a single ball. The hosts have won the toss and elected to field, meaning Warwickshire need to negotiate a tricky morning session of perilous batting. Things aren't looking good at 40/4 but Will Rhodes and Ed Barnard stabilise the innings nicely. 

- Pretorius marks out his home turf -

Although Rhodes (63) and Barnard (92) would subsequently depart the crease, the Bears' first day batting star is undoubtedly wicket-keeper Michael Burgess whose entertaining 126 not out leaves us handily placed on 373/8 at the close. Of the Somerset bowling attack, the standout performer is Migael Pretorius with four wickets to his name - in the lead-up to the General Election, it seems rather appropriate to spot his initials 'MP' scrawled onto the grass when inspecting the outfield during the lunch interval. 

- Somerset Cider in The Plough -

The conclusion of play has us heading to the Taunton North Premier Inn to perform checking-in formalities at our hotel, timing our arrival so as to witness England's remarkable Euro 2024 recovery against Slovakia. Taunton's town centre pubs are predictably busy with relieved yet celebratory football fans but we manage to grab a Wetherspoons bite to eat before sampling two contrasting pubs on Station Road. The Ale House seems very friendly and has the added attraction of stocking Thatcher's Cheddar Valley Cider (so orange it looks like liquid rust), while the Plough opposite is a classic free house arranged over multiple split levels. More cracking cider here is the perfect way in which to settle into the Somerset way of life! 

- Burgess's Batting Brilliance -

The match resumes on Monday morning but we've barely seen one over when a squall sets in and wipes out the rest of the morning session - not quite what the gathered throng of excitable pupils coming along for Schools Day would have wanted. Things thankfully soon dry up for the afternoon, meaning Warwickshire can progress to 412 all out (Burgess the last to fall for 147). The home reply threatens to unravel at 57/3 until the combined Toms - Abell and Banton - put on a century stand. Three late scalps for the mighty OHD (Oliver Hannon-Dalby) swing the game back in Warwickshire's favour, Somerset closing on 208/6 over 200 runs behind.

- A Chip Shot (minus seagull entourage) -

Monday evening for me and Stephen means an encounter with Howard's chip shop, feasting on a generous portion of potatoey goodness but attracting the attentions of the native seagulls in the process. We manage to placate a couple of said birds but when more of their friends start to swoop down we know we need to eat up quickly! The Brewhouse arts complex beside the River Tone is close to Taunton's Independent Quarter where there are a range of giftshops and boutiques worthy of closer investigation. Mr B does precisely that across the week and comes up trumps with a range of cricketing birthday cards for his personal collection. 

- London Pride in The Cricketers -

Having narrowly avoided recreating Hitchcock's The Birds in seagull form, we decamp to our chosen pub which in this particular instance is the Cricketers on Taunton High Street (with a name like that it simply had to be done). Inflatable footballs and strings of Euro flag bunting raise our hopes of watching the evening kick-off but their weekly quiz is underway instead, hence we find ourselves trying to remember the name of Postman Pat's cat (Jess) rather than keeping abreast of Portugal versus Slovenia. Stephen's Peppa Pig knowledge really comes to the fore at one stage whereas I'm more in tune with some 1980s music questions.

- Taunton Railway Station -

And so onto Tuesday 2nd July whereby my morning constitutional stroll takes me by the way of Taunton railway station, a sizeable provincial facility that befits county town status. A survey of the outbuildings has me admiring architectural flourishes while the Great Western Hotel is something of a looker in its own right. Trains run regularly between London Paddington and key South West destinations such as Bristol Temple Meads, Exeter St Davids, Plymouth and Penzance. Other landmarks being captured on camera include St Andrew's Church with its associated school nearby, and a Tesco Express store housed in the ex-Gardeners Arms.

- Towards the Ondaatje Pavilion -

Reclaiming our seats in the Marcus Trescothick Pavilion - one of several stands named after legendary Somerset players - we enjoy early breakthroughs courtesy of Michael Booth with Abell unable to add to his overnight 61. OHD takes care of the tail in securing excellent figures of 6 for 56 before a productive opening partnership from Rob Yates and captain Alex Davies sees Warwickshire to 100 without loss. Both players depart in quick succession but the Bears lead continues to mount, aided by further contributions from Rhodes (36), Sam Hain (a rather painstaking 43) and Jacob Bethell, who played many eyecatching strokes in his enterprising 66. Stephen would have liked a cheeky declaration to give the home side a few evening overs to survive although 281/8 means we are over 400 runs ahead. Things are looking good! 

- The Somerset Inn -

Our second Wetherspoons meal of the week precedes a backstreet gem of a place which we hadn't previously had the pleasure of frequenting. Situated mid-terrace on Alfred Street, the Somerset Inn is in many ways just a homely average boozer with a largely local clientele. Pub games are the main attraction here, especially the skittle alley which is getting a lot of use on this particular occasion; every so often we hear loud yelps of celebration emanating from the rear quarters, presumably because someone has scattered the nine pins with a well-directed cheese. We're however content just watching the Turkey vs Austria Euro 2024 clash over a pint or two of lemonade and blackcurrant or Thatcher's Cider - simple pleasures!

- The Run Chase Gathers Momentum -

Hopes are high on Wednesday as we get our tickets zapped in for the final day of play at the Coopers Associates County Ground. As Mr B had demanded, the Bears have indeed declared on their existing 281/8 thus setting Somerset a fairly hefty 410 runs to win. Messrs Umeed and Kohler-Cadmore set out briskly but we're still confident at 77/2 and 144/3. Alas that's about as good as it gets for Warwickshire, with first innings mainstays Abell and Banton once again getting into their batting groove. Even Banton's dismissal for 81 can't derail the Somerset charge, and it's highly fitting that Abell secures victory by hitting a massive six, posting his personal best first class score of 152 not out as the Bears are vanquished. Disappointed as we are to lose, you have to applaud a well-judged chase that took the match the distance.

- Bathpool Canal Cottage -

Licking our wounds, we drown our sorrows over in Priorswood, a housing estate north of the town centre where the Waggon flat-roofer almost deafens us with its MTV coverage of David Guetta's greatest hits. Mr Beardsmore delivers his cricketing postmortem yet remains very confident that Warwickshire will avoid any relegation struggles - I'll reserve judgement on that matter for now - then the final act of our five day stay sees me indulging in an early Thursday canal stroll to Bathpool Swingbridge and Bridgwater Road (Bridge 29), making the most of the lovely morning sunshine. Win or lose it's been a pleasure to be watching cricket again so here's hoping we get to see a bit more before the season is out. Come On You Bears!