In Hoose Entertainment

… I love it.

People who don’t want to read about cricket; skip the next 5 paragraphs.

So I went down to the cricket practice yesterday evening, I’d checked on the website before hand and was there at 9pm as stated.

Unfortunately most of the group had arrived at 8 and left before 9 (for unknown reasons) the court was booked out until 10 and had already been paid for, so the few of us that were there went in and had a few nets.

It’s been a long time since I’ve faced proper bowling, and it’s difficult! suddenly having people bowl at you at 70mph + found me playing and missing more often than not before being bowled by a slower ball. I need the practice though, and I reckon in a month or so I’ll be able to see the ball again I was definitely getting better towards the end.

Bowling wise, it’s funny bowling on a 22 yard track when you’re used to the 12-15 yard tracks we usually set up on platt fields, but I found my length fairly early. Spin is always tough on the flat mat track but I extracted some despite - as I realised this morning - using an incorrect grip for the entire session. Later on I bowled medium pace and that seemed decent enough. Accurate considering how long I’ve been out.

I’ll certainly not be challenging for the team but the nets will make me a much better player (It’s often said that you can only improve by playing with people better than you, and I agree) so perhaps I can go and find a 3rd XI somewhere to go and join next summer

I also had my first demonstration group of the year on Tuesday.

My demonstration class is slightly different to the typical demonstration class in that I’m the only person in the room and I’m officially a “Facilitator” rather than a “Demonstrator” the difference basically meaning that I’m supposed to lead the groups in their work, and get them working together.

My three groups seem fairly decent.

One of them were quiet and surly, the guy who did their presentation at the end (we always finish with a presentation!) looked about as happy as a bean smothered in tomato ketchup when he stood up to talk about the work in the most dreary monotone I’ve ever heard.

The next group were really chatty (which is good for group work) and also contain the only “fit” girl in the group (It’s always nice to have at least one in the room).

The last group were fairly quiet until their presentation, and then got this guy to stand up and take the lead. He immediately jumped up off his seat and stood there with his arms outstreached (as though he’d just scored a goal) :

(in an excited tone)

“We were studying the exciting world of Magic Squares and we conquered it! Hurray!”

and proceeded in a wall thumping manner to give one of the best (and funniest!) mathematical presentations I’ve ever seen. brilliant.

Anyway that was Tuesday. Tarra!