ADDING 'GLOS' TO DUCKS SAGA

A few weeks ago, when Hibaldstow's Jon Taylor opened the Lincs Cricket Latest debate about runs of ducks, or absence of them, we promised to bring you news of the man we consider to be the Daddy Of All Duck-makers (or should that be Drake?).
It's taken a little time to turn up the relevant info, but we've managed it at last.
During the 1986 season, Tony Glossop (Brigg Town 2nds/3rds) surely set the standard all others have failed to reach - before or since.
For after an horrendous run of 14 successive noughts (stretching way back to the previous campaign), the cricketer with arguably the worst weekend batting record in the area finally broke his duck. But only just - scrambling a single in the North Lindsey League match against Holy Trinity (Gainsborough).
"Basically, I intended to play it down," he said of the delivery from which he managed that vital run. "It came off my bat and over the fielder's hands. I got a big round of applause." And the secret? He was using a borrowed bat for the first time.
The previous day had seen him make a first-ball "golden" in the South Humberside Alliance.
However, it should be pointed out Tony's bad run was in weekend cricket. He enjoyed a bit more success midweek, making 10 not out in a Broughton and District Evening League encounter with Sir John Nelthorpe School during 1985 (the previous summer). The 1984 season saw him record 14 runs in 14 knocks (some of which may have been not out).
Big-hearted Tony decided to used his lack of batting success to raise money for charity. The weekend after his run of 14 successive ducks became public knowledge outside Brigg Town CC he attempted to raise cash for starving people in Africa by being sponsored per run during the Alliance match against Grimsby BRSA 2nds and the the Sunday clash with West Butterwick. Sorry, I can't recall how much he made.
The old politician's saying 'All publicity is good publicity' clearly rang true for Tony - later to become a councillor himself. For he soon enjoyed 'a purple patch' in the Glanford Sport For All tournament, scoring 10.
However, it was only six-a-side and some spoilsport statistician within Brigg Town CC (guess who?) ruled any runs scored/wickets taken in that event would not count in official career records.
Hibaldstow won the tournament, with Brigg runners-up and Wrawby third. They were the only entrants - a very disappointing turn-out.
I did manage to locate the information about Tony's run of ducks 23 years ago, but don't expect a photo to appear of my silver medal for finishing second ahead of the mighty Wrawby in that six-a-side knockabout!
I seem to recall batting with Tony when he hit a straight six against South Kelsey which just carried into a hedge beyond the boundary.
Now you may be visualising the layout of the Nettleton Mines ground and thinking that must have been a pretty big hit for a man with so many ducks to his name. However, it should be pointed out the game I'm recalling 20-plus years ago was at Kelsey's old ground.
And those readers who played at Skipworth Ridge will fully understand the relevance of the venue in this tale.