the deliberate lower case arms

Yorkshire 158 all out 

v Lancashire 350 for 6 

County Championship 

Close on Day Two 

Friday 28 May 2021 

Played at Old Trafford 

And. So. Twenty months after I last sat in a County Cricket ground. We're back. With the same old shit. Yorkshire two hundred ish behind on first innings. One of the Carrier Bag Firm was moaning that, on her first day back at cricket, the play had been boring. I sort of disagree. Because I thought the Lancashireistrians played that perfectly. And, there's enjoyment to be had in watching a team know what they want to do. And fucking doing it. 95 for one overnight. Only 64 behind. Whatever it takes. Bat long. Look to bat just once.

They got to 246 before both Jennings & Wells went in the 84th & 85th. At that stage, I thought they might come out through the New Ball with just one gone. At times, it was difficult to tell whether Yorkshire were exerting real pressure, or whether Lancs were just being ultra cautious in building a platform.

At one bit, maybe a dozen overs, Bess seemed to be close to one an over parity. But, he got some straight down the ground hammer later on.

Fairly straightforward set up at Old Trafford. Despite Covid restrictions, quite a decent few in. The whole experience emphasising how the DNA of County Cricket is compatible with Covid Protocols. Big ground for us to rattle around in, minding our own bubbles. Stewarding very polite. Punters occasionally exasperated by seemingly petty stuff, but seeing the bigger picture, apologising and (for eg) shifting up as you're not allowed to sit on an aisle.

Settled in at cask (deliberate lower case c) on Liverpool Road. Bit of a Sensory Shock. Noisy city centre pub on a Friday. No drama. Few ales. I'll start holding court. Then mine will the only voice in town. Let's get at it.

Nice beer range. Three guest cask & three guest keg. Backed up by an unusual core. Including, Palax Lager from Cervecera Artesana Riojana in Spain at 4.9%. I've never even heard of it. But, I absolutely loved it. Tasted honey sweet. Smelt of freshly cut flowers. A bit of hazy unfiltered gunge. The gentle sugar shone through it. 

Beers were going on & off the blackboard all night.

I'll give a shout to;

SQUAWK Brewing (letters deliberately capitalised - there's a theme here), Pavo at a moreish 3.8%.

That was banging. Quite thin in the mouth. But, that's OK at that abv. Just spot on for sessioning. Maybe needed to be half a teaspoon sweeter. But, lots of hop loveliness.

Stats

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