PIGGY HOGS LIMELIGHT

It was good to see Graham "Piggy" Pinder today after an absence of two or three years. The genial giant of a senior batsman wasn't fit enough to play for Marshalls (Gainsborough), in North Lindsey divison one against Broughton, but did the scoring, oversaw the tea arrangements, sorted the scoresheet, handed over fees to the umpires...and a few other jobs.
He's a fine clubman but perhaps it was a good thing he wasn't in the team - for the last couple of times I've umpired Marshalls (which doesn't happen too often) he's ended up injured, including top-edging a ball into his eyebrow a few years back at Caistor. As I told him before the game: "I am not a lucky Talisman for you!"
We got rained off just before the conclusion of the Marshalls innings - threatening, billowing clouds sweeping in which reminded me of a scene from the classic comedy film Ghost Busters, when New York came under threat from very dark forces.
I pointed this comparison out to one of the youngest Broughton fielders, who had no idea what I was taking about. The good old generation gap demonstrated yet again!
The match saw an appearance by Phil Glentworth, the long-serving Broughton all-rounder, who featured alongside the next generation of this cricketeting family, promising opening bowler Robbie.
Marshalls had a heavily-built lower order batsman called Fred who had an even bulkier frame than his namesake England and Lancashire all-rounder. The big-hitting Gainsborough Fred blasted a ball to mid-off, where Phil attempted a catch, only for the rapidly moving ball to ricochet off his chest and go to ground. Phil, who is of ample girth himself these days, never flinched, even though the impact would have floored most of us.
Robbie, according to Phil, has "dined out all week" on the story of his over-the-head sweep shot for four(reported last Sunday on Lincs Cricket Latest from Brumby Hall, Scunthorpe).
After today's game, Phil couldn't resist a light-hearted comment about a certain umpire who, it seems, failed to hear a snick behind to the keeper, and gave the young batsman the benefit of the doubt.
But that has, in no way, affected the marks awarded for the Bert Hill Sportsmanship Trophy, both Broughton and Marshalls getting a resounding nine our of 10. Well deserved, too.
It's a great idea by the North Lindsey League to get match umpires to award marks for teams' good conduct, week in, week out - a clear incentive to encourage everyone to accept decisions and play within the Spirit of the Game.
Perhaps the Lincolnshire League, and a few others, could follow suit with a similar trophy.
As hearing loss seems to be hereditary in the male side of our family, and tinnitus is not an affliction you would wish on anyone, Phil's comment adds further weight to Mrs Fisher's long-standing pleas for the purchase of a suitable hearing aid.
One of the things holding me back (apart from vanity) is that once the dreaded gadget is in position in the left ear, there will be no excuses!