Queue Nonsense

England 258 all out
v West Indies 329-5
close on Day 2

2nd Test

Played at Headingley

Saturday 26 August 2017

Twitter @ball_sup

Pint
Black Sheep
Best Bitter
Cask
3.8%
Nonsense at the bar

Look. I write a Blog about Cricket/Football & Beer. I know I complain a lot. But, what am I supposed to do? I've got to call it as I see it. Utter nonsense at the main bar in The East Stand Long Room. They've got impromptu signs up - Queue 1, Queue 2, etc. Two queues are one side of a pillar. Two the other. So, there are two bar fronts. But, it’s all one bar behind. I queue on TWO. But, THREE clears first. Barman at three - very helpfully says “You’re next, what can I get you?”. I nip over to three (remember the other side of the pillar).

“Pint of Black Sheep in a Glass please”.
“No Black Sheep at this queue, we’ve run out”
“What? I’ll just wait until you’ve put it back on then”
“None here”
“What, not ever again, I’ll wait”
“No Black Sheep”
“But, I was in that Queue there, you called me over”
“Sorry, no Black Sheep”

All he has to do is walk four paces to his right & pull it from “Queue two”. But, I get sent to THE OTHER END OF THE LONG ROOM. To the makeshift, but dedicated Black Sheep bar. Which is about a DOZEN DEEP in QUEUE. And only has ONE FELLA SERVING.

By the time, I’m served & drinking it. ALL QUEUES are being served Black Sheep back at the main bar. I don’t mind, I’ve got a drink. But, for the sake of having me wait there until they can pull me one. I’ve got sent away. People behind me wanted “One bitter, one lager”. They were sold the lager at the main bar & then had to QUEUE AGAIN for the Bitter.

How do they come up with the Shit?

I’m a committed England fan. I want us to score gazillions & bang out wickets for fun. But, just like The Bars of The World. I’ll call it like I see it. West Indies were fantastic today. There’s a lot of Cricket still coming. No reason for England to think they are out of it. But, West Indies were fantastic.

Only four wickets down all day. One of those the Nightwatchman. Tons for Kraigg Brathwaite & Shai Hope. Hope is still there - strike rate over 50 - 147 Red Ink. Woakes, Stokes, Moeen & Broad - gone for plenty. The West Indians applied themselves. Worked it out. Stuck at it. Didn’t worry if the shutters came down. Knew there’d be balls to score off. Cut loose when they could. Watchful when they needed to be. They have played themselves into a great position. It was their day.

523/1103