The Jolly Boys Cricket Club

The umpires start the day with an early pitch inspection...

Followed shortly thereafter by a "pipping hot" Balti slice. (You can't umpire on an empty stomach - ed.)

Meanwhile the fans start making their way into the arena.

And they're full of beans. Boston Beans that is. Mmmm... Amongst my favourites ! Shame there'll not be any on offer at the pavillion.

Speaking of food another classic dish is Cheese and Onion pie. Very nice indeed ! Rumour has it there might have been pies on sale in the pavillion.

They quite often are at sporting events.

Back on the wicket the actions hotting up as Daisy, Bluebell and the rest of the girls wonder what all the shouting in the next field is about.

Botheration... Just as it was going so well a mighty six is hit out of the ground and we lose the ball. Oh well best organise a search party then.

Any volunteers gentlemen ?

Oh oh, looks like trouble as a second set of umpires arrive with jaws agape. Have we gone and booked two sets of umpires for the day ? If we have there could be trouble as there'll be an "Umpire-Off" to the death.

No it turns out well after all as the second pair of umpires had actually come to see the unveiling of the clubhouses new painting "The Umpire's decision is final" by lady Philpottina Barkingge-Madde esq. Kindly donated in lieu of subs by some errant first teamer by all accounts.

And the end of the first game sees the white Jolly goat narrowly beating the black and white stripey Blackpool EVH goat and we move on to take our place in the final. Hip, hip horray !!!

Excitement has reached such a fever pitch that even the local praying Matis' are turning up for a look. (that and to pull each otheres heads off and eat them - ed.)

The stands are now so packed that kids are having to sit on their mothers backs to get a look in.

The fever pitched atmosphere sees some good natured bantering break out between rival supporters... "who are you looking at you big eyed, lolloping, floppy eared, grass cruncher ?"

"Not you for sure you big beaked, web footed, fish faced, feathered fool so there."

Meanwhile out at sea the Jollys refreshment supply has found itself becalmed in still waters. But they'd best get the mainsail hoisted a.s.a.p. as with all the er... stuff... happening in the game they're going to need them.

Ay caramba ! I would not like to foot the lettuce bill for this little lady (actually it's a gentleman and Tortoises eat much more than lettuce -ed.)

The object of this gentlmans attention is a 4½ foot (that’s 1.2 metres in the new money) fossilized penis bone taken from an extinct walrus !

And with the look on his face I expect that someone off camera has just broken the news as to what he's actually holding !

After that last picture I'm going to sit down and have a nice cup of tea.

And a Shrewsbury biscuit (or seven).

Ingredients: 1 stick butter, ½ c. sugar, 2 egg yolks, 1 ½ c. all-purpose flour, pinch of salt, zest of 1 lemon, 1/3 c. currants

Method: Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Grease two large baking sheets. Cream the butter and sugar until pale and fluffy. Add the egg yolks and beat well. Stir in the flour, salt, lemon zest and currants. Mix at medium speed until you have a fairly firm dough. For a long time, it will look like breadcrumbs, but continue mixing until it all clings together. Turn out onto a floured surface and knead lightly. Roll out to about ¼" thick. Cut into rounds with a 2-2 ½" fluted cutter and place on the baking sheets. Bake for 15-20 minutes until firm and light brown at the edges. Makes about 30 biscuits.

Hooray ! There was lots of great cricket action and after another hard fought game the Jollys emerged victorious !

So for once it truly is Hip, hip hooray for the Jolly, Jolly J !!!

A Joyous Christmas indeed !!!