Back at Live Cricket
Good to be back
By Beefy
May 21 2021
Beefy decribed his pleasant experience at last back at live cricket, putting our set up to shame.
I was there early today for my first day at first class cricket since September 2019. I did the outside ground walk Vauxhall End to Pavilion end. Loads of building work going on, a staff member walked up to me.'scorecard sir?' Free, I took 2 for Dingy and myself.
Entered through Alec Stewart Gate, entered with no problem, no bag search. In fact, the steward had a laugh, I even asked if needed a bag search. He said no, but then said 'against the wall, and spread 'em!' Again? I asked. Like last time? Be gentle. Nothing done, MCC stewards take note you can have a laugh with the spectators.
Walk around concourse, 'Good Morning' 'welcome'. All from ground staff. Easy access to seats, easy service at bars etc, with no problems or being made to feel uncomfortable by stewards. Guy at our section (16) was great, chatty and easy to help us.
Atmosphere, apart from cold is really good. It's just great to be back at cricket again. Whole ground is generally well set up, unlike another place. Social distancing was being observed as the normal thing. Mask wearing was well adhered to as well
Above all, a few of us got to meet up again, after god knows how long. I know we have our intense rivalry, but, Oval is years ahead of the MCC, Maybe it's time they looked towards our rivals and see how they do things.This is by no way a dig at Middlesex CCC as our owners tie us down.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2021:05:31:21:28:55 by BarmierKev.
Did you go today (Friday) as well?
Think I might have spotted you in a crowd scene.
I'll certainly be wrapping up warm tomorrow. Am I allowed to bring a Thermos??
Question for anyone who attended - did you make it obvious (with replica kit, heckling etc) that you were Middlesex fans? Surrey haven't made it clear whether or not away fans are welcome at this game, and when I bought my tickets it felt like I was doing it on the proviso that I was a Surrey fan, although this might just be my naturally guilty conscience. I've bought tickets for a few National League football matches over the last few days (desperately trying to get a fix of live football before the season ends) and each time it was made very clear that only home fans were supposed to attend. In fact, Barnet won't even let me visit on Tuesday to tick off their ground as I don't have a previous purchase history. Anyway, I was just wondering if I should turn up at the Oval festooned in Middlesex gear, or keep my allegiance quiet.
Quote:hdo
Anyway, I was just wondering if I should turn up at the Oval festooned in Middlesex gear, or keep my allegiance quiet.
Some pillock on the Surrey site says he took it upon himself to inform someone wearing Middlesex gear that they were not welcome. He has had zero support so far and it is quite possible that he was a troll anyway, given the total lack of control of user names and the (usually welcome) ready access for guests.
To be honest I wasn't aware that you could buy Middlesex themed thermals and skiwear ... which is what you would probably need.
Adelaide