The day we were crowned Champions (ft. Francois Haasbroek)

In today’s special episode of the Housecast Podcast, we’re joined by none other than Lowerhouse legend, Francois Haasbroek. Fresh off the back of an unforgettable weekend, we dive straight into last Sunday’s triumph and relive how the lads brought the title home in true Lowerhouse style.

Francois gives us his inside take on the game, the atmosphere, and the wild celebrations that followed – from champagne moments to some questionable fashion choices. We dig into the details of what made this season so special: the hard graft behind the scenes, the big performances when it mattered, and the team spirit that carried us all the way.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a Housecast without a bit of fun – so expect talk of budgie smugglers, the mystery of why so many socks were needed, and Frankie’s unlikely passion for painting.

It’s one not to miss – a mix of nostalgia, laughter, and a celebration of everything that makes Lowerhouse the club we love.

Episode Transcript

(00:04):
Hello. He's on, he's on, Frankie all.
Right. Let me just spin.
Everything around yeah, I just. Need to move along with the
stuff. No problem.
I'd just be fine charger or theycan switch them off, that's why.

(00:24):
There it is. You know, in the military,
frankly, they talk about preparation.
Yeah, it's 8 O clock and I'm ready to go.
Good answer. Gordon Gordon, send more house

(01:00):
to save the house. Thanks everybody for listening
to the house cast. This is a real special edition.
It's the Tuesday after the Lancashire League was was

(01:22):
finally secured and some celebrations and and a great day
cricket and a great day for for the club in general.
The weather was kind etcetera. Joe Barton, I'll just come on to
you about what's your thoughts now about us losing a few
points, maybe bowling slow over it and that could kibosh is, you

(01:46):
know, properly lifting the trophy at the end of the season.
I. Think mathematically.
I don't think we can. Right, OK.
One point it. You only lose a point, don't
you? If you're slow over it.
Yeah. So you can only lose 3 I
suppose. Yeah.
So unless you. Have discipline Can you?
Can you lose any points of discipline issue?
Yeah, yeah. Yeah, in theory then we could

(02:09):
still could still not win the league.
Well, that's right. There's a specific rule about a
crazy wicket keeper going crazy on the pitch.
You could lose 3040 points I. Mean it's not going to happen
point in it. No, it's not going to happen.
So let me just talk through the the format of how we're going to
do this today. We've got a really good guest

(02:30):
on. He was pro for us going back
2011 for a number of years. And, and I've said this before
about Frankie, who is who is ourguest that I've got to class
him. It's my view only that he's the
most significant match winner we've ever had at Law House.
How we can change a game, how hecan change a season or a, a, a

(02:54):
series of games and not just by getting 6 or 7 wickets or
getting a quick eight to He doesit quite certainly when he was
pro he would do it by just a, a very, you know, quietly changing
the bowling, changing how he wasbowling etcetera, or batting
fantastically well. He's continued to do that this
year. So Frankie, I've long to walk up

(03:15):
your back. How are you doing?
I'm very good, Thanks. I'm going to be honest, I was
preparing more for some mental warfare because I'm pretty sure
Joe Beneducci has got a very deep vault and I was sort of
preparing a list of whatever might be thrown at me.
So very kindly it's appreciated just.
You know that's where they stop.You will get some mental warfare
now. We will give you the grief.

(03:36):
So let's just talk about Sunday night Frankie.
We've got Joe Beneducci on with us as well who watched all the
game. We had some great pints
afterwards and some good reminiscing.
But Frankie, let's talk through the celebrations.
It's just for the listeners benefit.
Frankie is, I think party animals, not the right way of

(03:57):
describing him, but he's very, very kind, very central and
everything that happens in a in a celebration, he's he's
constantly wanting to chat and be fun there and walk around
with about six or seven different drinks, drinks, all
sorts of different drinks, wantsto chat to everyone.
How did it go on Sunday night for you and how were you on
Monday? I was slightly tired.

(04:17):
I think Becky didn't appreciate me eating pizza in bed at about
4:00 AM. Oh dear.
I got a really stinky look when I woke her up eating pizza.
I thought I was being quite quiet with my camera on my phone
trying to look what I'm busy eating.
I then proceeded to eat it on the stairs outside the bedroom.

(04:38):
But no, it was. It was really good.
I think there were definitely a few people that were taking the
mantle off me and I could take abit more of a back seat on
Sunday night, which was great. I think it's one of those
strange nights where there was nothing in particular that stood
out in terms of wild celebrations.
I just think it was an exceptionally happy.
Everybody just wanted to have a good time and it's probably the

(05:00):
longest that a lot of people have stayed till very, very late
as well. Normally it's just like a one or
two stragglers that's there and but on on Sunday it was a big
group of people and I was one ofthe earlier ones who left.
There was still a bit of a few boys that were they were still
there till the crack of dawn. I believe so, yeah.
And, and you're right, what you say about the people that were

(05:21):
stopping and but I don't think it helped massively that the
game finished when it did, you know, 530 finished, which meant,
you know, people going in the bathroom and everything.
And that's interesting. You, you know, you said everyone
was happy and you were a little bit mentoring.
I think there is some significant celebrations that
went on that I've never seen before and the the the trunks,

(05:45):
the swim shorts and the fireworks.
What was a lot about Frankie? I think the fireworks was a bit
of a surprise, but I I think there was a bit of a sneak
preview on the badger smugglers,hence abroads 7 pairs of socks
just to make sure that I look mybest when we walked out at night
time. But it was fantastic.
Beno just said, took a video on there and it just looks great.

(06:05):
I think it's it's one of those memorable things that you can as
a club as well, that it's not just getting pissed, but it was
like a bit of a team celebrationdoing something really
different, which was fantastic. Yeah, and he and he, you're
right, something different that will, you know, everyone was a
bit taken about thinking correctly what's going on here.
And you're right, you know, to bring the socks was fantastic

(06:27):
just to, to enhance things a little bit.
I think you should maybe put them in the front of your budgie
smugglers and not the back though.
I thought I went for an all round look that was like.
All right, all right, brilliant.Joe Martin There was 10 players
in Budgie Smugglers and one who was in his his training kit.
I know I might not. Explanation.

(06:48):
I'm Manon. I'm just I.
It's just not rural individuals.Jazz.
Absolutely so. You know.
Well, if I was, I was really expecting.
I was really surprised that Patrick got fully on board, but
I always look, and it's a shame this is a podcast, but when Joe
comes round for a BBQ, I always ask him if he wants a sausage

(07:09):
and he always does. Yeah, I really want one of the
sausages and I was really expecting knowing there's
something that we've not seen before, but it's a point.
Yeah, he does. He doesn't.
He never, he never fails to surprise us.
But we're not, there's certainlyno peer pressure.
And you know, and good. I, we, I, we all went.
And like you said, frankly, the videos are outstanding and

(07:29):
they're lost forever in our our memories.
Doot you? We had a few pints up there.
Rachel sat down with the girls and was wandering around.
A lovely evening. Have you any memories of it?
And were you quite rough? Yeah, no, my memories are a
little bit, a little bit patchy.I wasn't too rough.

(07:50):
But just on the celebrations, you know, the the fireworks and
the budgie smugglers, do not think that's just like a a
benefit of having it wrapped up so early.
You can think about how you're going to celebrate these things.
You know, when we've won trophies in the past where it's
gone down to the wire or you in a cup final.
You can't be making plans about how you're going to celebrate.
But if you win it with, you know, a month to spare or

(08:11):
whatever, then you can put a bitof extra thought into that kind
of thing. Yeah, yeah.
And that's why it's worth it. You know, it is.
And it's another measure and we'll go on to this of how, what
a quality side that is that you know, there's, there's, well,
there's at least four or five other sides within the league.
You know, you, you could at the halfway stage had thoughts of

(08:31):
winning the league. But we just what, you just
completely smashed all that withthe, with the quality that we've
actually got and, and how we canchange games.
And we never, we're never out, never down and out.
We've had a question whilst we're on about the celebrations.
We've had a question come in. This was from Stuart Gaynor, who

(08:52):
was the last one to leave the club.
My my bet would be probably Charlie Gansley because he
probably didn't have a lift but probably S be or Gansley would
be my my. Yeah, I tend to agree.
Joe Martin, do you know, have you seen any of them since?
Has anyone said? I that's what I think Some

(09:14):
actually stayed, stayed the whole night.
I think Roger, I think Roger greeted some of them in the
morning when they were. Getting ready to clean up.
So I think they did a through upif that's that's still a phrase,
I think. Yeah, yeah.
I can't confirm that because I was in my van.

(09:34):
I've got up at 7, half seven, had a bit of a walk, got myself
together, gone into the Joe Martin room to freshen up a
touch and I can hear something going on.
I'm thinking, Oh no, please don't let me compromise anything
here. And I didn't know what to do.
But then I like, I hear there's a lot of giggling voices.
And there were three First Teamsmembers in the dressing room who

(09:54):
slept there all night. Have they slept there all night
or they've been? It's all night, yeah.
Probably the second most likely.Just on the side note with this
jazz, I was chatting to Joe or you.
I think you've been Dutchman bookies down South, one of my
South African mates and chattinga bit and they are in a

(10:16):
relegation battle and just had acatch up and said that we've won
the league and celebrations and stuff.
And I mean a massive kudos to Saudi for this.
And my feeling is it's like he'she completely grasps the idea of
what a professional should be for a Cricket Club.
And it's not just about runs cricket coming to training, It's
the other things around it. Understanding that people are

(10:38):
giving up loads of time to actually play the game.
Time away from the family to he.He was the main instigator for
all of their celebrations and anything.
Not saying probably Ben didn't have an input but he was the
main guy planning all of it. Then I think he actually spot
on. I mean, that's so interesting to
say. And as I've said at the start,

(10:58):
frankly I think you were one of the, you know, well, as I've
said, a pro that put so much into the club.
And it's not just about you getting 1100 drums and any 2
wickets in the season. And I've done a great job and
we've finished third. So that's interesting.
You say that Dan is taking that on a level further in the you
know, it's about success, it's about winning, but we also got

(11:21):
to enjoy that success and celebrate it.
Yeah, I think he's he said it enough.
I think if you you need to create the culture first before
you can win. And I think it starts becoming a
little bit hand in hand. If you win, the culture becomes
easy. But I think there's been a lot
of adversities this year when you think about some of the wins
that we've pulled out of the hatand some hiccups, the Worsley
Cup being one of them, that could curtail the season

(11:43):
completely like 2 years ago whenwe lost a little in the final
and then from there top of the league.
I don't think we won a league game again until the following
year. So there are a lot of things to
come back from and I think the fact that he focused on the
culture 1st and getting that right and then leading into the
the success side on the field, Ithink that's the really

(12:04):
important thing that a lot of people try to do it the other
way and I just don't think it always works.
No, and and he's but that is down to the character of the
people who do it, you know, and it's not a criticism of all the
pros that have been in the league previously, whether it's
Alan Dolan, Viv Richards or whoever.
But it is something that is really, really important and
it's it is to be treasured and kept hold of.

(12:25):
And, you know, hopefully we can carry on that, which you know,
which I'm sure we will do. Let's let's just go into the
game because I've got loads of questions here for Frank and I'm
sure we've got a few other points we want to go through.
So let's just go into the game. I'm going to continue to put you
under pressure with questions that you don't like answering.
But the pitch didn't look. It looked too dry early on in in

(12:49):
the Indians it looked very dry. It did appear, you know, down
and a few others were concerned about how it was going to play.
What was your view on that before we go into the rooms that
were scored? I was very conscious, not really
listening to podcasts, that every time anybody's come on,
that they've been very quiet in the middle of everything.
I'm quite vocal about the pictures and it was definitely

(13:13):
very dry. And I, I think the really
difficult thing is in England isthat when it's dry in England,
you're so scared to put any water on the pitch because
you're so worried it's going to rain.
And I, I have this issue at school with the ground staff
when it's wet and it rains, we actually deal with it better
because you're used to it. It's when it's really dry, you
don't really know what to do. And yes, it was definitely very
dry. And if we did that second, it

(13:34):
could have been potentially a really tricky wicket to bat on.
But I mean, once once we got that score, it was there.
I mean, we would be very happy with 151 sixty against probably
any side defending that. And even though Rochdale got
more than they should, but that was mainly due just because how
many runs we had and we wanted to and then push a bit with a
few placings. But it wasn't a pleasant.

(13:55):
I definitely didn't go in thinking, yeah, I'm feeling, I'm
feeling great. Yeah, I'm going to really come
and bash out that 160 balls. Yeah.
And and we'll go. I'll go into that as to how
other spectators were thinking the picture changed slightly
with the way, you know yourself,you know, Tom Walk to a lesser
degree, but Paddy and Joe Hawke,but I don't think it did change

(14:19):
much. But I'll go into that in a
second. But that's a really interesting
point, frankly, around Walter inthe pitch.
And the other problem we've got is facilities, you know, and I'm
not just saying at Law House, you know, a lot of other clubs
you, you look at Lancashire who you know, are very good at
keeping the pitch dry. And then they will have gallons,

(14:40):
you know, hundreds of gallons ofwater going on per minute
straight after the game. We, we've got a sprinkler that's
about as it'll just about sprinkle someone's garden if
it's on all night. So that is the, that is an issue
as well. But I suppose we get so many wet
summers, you know, how would youinvest in that?
I mean, I guess in back in SouthAfrica you would have done the
same as Lancashire. Just absolutely.

(15:02):
Properly so if and the other thing as well is it's such a
multi use facility. It's so I mean, the way that we
would, you would finish your game on a Sunday, you would
absolutely flood the wicket after the game.
So it's completely so it goes deep down.
So when you then roll it, it obviously compresses all the the
low and everything together and then you can roll it properly.
There's no point rolling it whenit's dry.
You will just crack it up and but if you soak it, then it's

(15:25):
probably going to still be a little bit damp for it.
And then if you play junior games on there, how do you
manage them not damaging? There's so much permutations and
then there's to have this issue with do it.
When we play golf. I'm a very outspoken person
about greens as well. And when we have that dry spell
after they've followed, timed it, they've just not watered it
and there's no growth, no nothing on there.

(15:45):
And it's just horrible because there's no facilities.
It's not really sprinklers. The ground stuff has to
physically go and water greens and I'd imagine that's what Stan
has to do as well. Just get a slow hose pipe and I
can't it it goes very quickly. Yeah, and it, and it does say,
you know, it, it's a big outlay to, you know, if we say almost
every five years we have a summer like that, you know, just

(16:06):
something to to consider. I will jump off and I'm gonna
I'm gonna come on to you in a minute of what the thoughts were
in the dressing room around those first two or three wickets
that went in the pitch. But whilst we're on to golf, I
believe it's your birthday today, Frankie.
Happy birthday. Thank you very much.
Just turned 32. 32. I know it doesn't look like it
when you see me run, but. Just no.
No, no, no, you do. You've, you've got that, that

(16:30):
young athletic look about you and, and for your birthday
today, what have you been up to?Golfing.
Golfing. Morning.
Yeah. All right.
Good luck. Me, Paddy, dude.
Some blaze all. Right, good little theme there.
Good little buddy. Play football or.
Yeah, me and me and Paddy play in place and Joe, we've had a

(16:50):
bit of a tough start to the summer, but we're we're on a
good roll on a cover. And when we started playing for
some big bucks on the back end of the season, we, we started,
you know, coming to the fore, right?
And who won? Me and Patty.
Me and Patty won, Yeah. Dude, you thought you were
quality. I'm.
Getting off the stages, it happens from time to time.

(17:12):
All right, no excuses. Drive up to dry greens.
Yeah, greens were too dry. That's it.
Yeah. Yeah.
No, no excuses. They played very well, to be
fair. Well, Paddy did anyway.
Well, I. Didn't want to bring this up
with me and Deuce playing very strong singles competition in
between the foul and I've put them singles as well.

(17:32):
So he must have done that because it's my birthday.
Yeah, it's kind of like that. Yeah, fantastic.
What a great day. Well done Frankie.
And straight after the, you know, the the the Lancer League
win. So let's just go back to the
pitch Joe because he was really interesting.
There's lots, let me just set the scene.
There's lots of people watching and it's fantastic to see.

(17:53):
There is quite a lot of people around where we normally sit
don't generally come to watch cricket that much unless it's a
big occasion. And they constantly, there's
probably 20 or 30. They're constantly asking me or
Matt Cracky what's happening here, why they're thinking sun's
out blue sky, we should be 100 for none of 12 overs and, you
know, getting 300 and to try andexplain to them that it's not

(18:16):
just that easy when it's so dry and what's a good score.
What was the attitude in the dressing room like Joe when you
could see the pitch was playing as you expected?
Well, I. Think it was an abrasive surface
is how you you could describe it.
We didn't think it was going to be easy and you kind of.
Look at the. Plans that you've that you've

(18:37):
got and you try and execute and we have done all year and you
just try and play kind of accordingly to that, I guess.
But obviously Francois battered exceptionally well and, you
know, as he's done all year really, he's come in and sort of
settled, settle the, settle the ship and you kind of back round

(18:58):
him. He's always been very good at
like, absorbing, absorbing an innings, you know?
Boring job. Cheers.
No, no, no. Definitely not, definitely not
boring, but kind of take the pressure off everybody else to
let them kind of play however they want to, he.
Looks. Like he's some situations up
quicker than quicker than most others.

(19:20):
That's that's how it looks from the side.
Oh. Yeah, I mean, you know, he, I
think, I think I said on last week's podcast that he's still
an unbelievable cricketer. You didn't listen to that, Joe,
Or did you not? Yeah, you need to.
Listen, because I, I said that you're an incredible cricketer
and you're right, Joe, he does assess the situation and he's

(19:41):
able to play it accordingly. And the other thing is that, you
know, Rochdale on, I know the I know the the kind of relegations
on and lower down in the league,but they're not a bad, they're
not a bad side. And, you know, they're 2 main
bowlers, Ollie making and and, and Harling are, are really good
cricketers and good bowlers. So if Harling got on that wicket

(20:06):
and got on a bit of a role, you know, he has the potential to
ball you out. So I don't think it was easy for
first up. I think we would have been happy
with 151 sixty, as Francois said, but.
Frankie and Paddy just sort of took took that game away from
them and then I'm sure Francois won Massive 6 we'll.

(20:29):
Go into that. I hope Francois can remember how
he described it to me. It's about 12:15 on Monday
morning. It was it was a really good
description of that of that six.But if I think we've got to
mention the way Henry battered, you know, he battled with Henry
there. He battled and he and he did
seem that was the worst period to bat.
As you said, Tom got one with a few puffing.

(20:50):
There was, you know, and Bend, Ithink kept a little bit loaded.
He's played on Henry. You know, great job.
But then I think you're right, dude.
I was just going to say say exactly the same.
Frankie has got that ability to work out things is how the
game's going, how he can impact it the most in his time and

(21:13):
obviously you've got to have theability as well to carry out
that that role and I thought that was carried out perfectly.
Did the pitch change? Frankly, it's $1,000,000.
Question. All the people that are
watching. I've seen when we are, I don't
know, 50 odd for 60 for 467 for four, 90 for five.
You know, I'm saying to these people, you know, we've got some

(21:34):
really good batters that can come.
If we get 180, I don't think I think that'll be a really good
score. That'll be above par.
And then it seemed to change. And I know you're batting,
you're working out there bowlers, you're having them bowl
in places that you want them to bowl, but the pitch seem to
change a little bit. Is that is that just an
illusion, do you think? Yeah.
It's I think it's more the hardness of the ball Jess.

(21:56):
So when the ball's really hard it it grips a lot more.
So if you look in India as well,they bring spinners on straight
away because as soon as the ballgets a bit soft, everything's a
bit slower. So when you play Ollie Makin at
the start, it was really sharp, bitey spin and then in about 20
overs you could play him off theback foot almost every ball.
He was not really going to turn it past your back.

(22:17):
So you could almost wait for theball to turn a little bit.
And it does get easier, but you your margin fairer.
Like they're not just going to RIP one and it's going to
really, if it pops up, you have time to adjust a little bit with
your hands and understanding probably off the seam ball is
you're not going to just come inand and drive on the app.
But still, if it's a hard volleyand bad ball that you could
still put away, I think the disparity in terms of the amount

(22:39):
of boundaries that got scored and dot balls are really big.
There wasn't really a lot of strike rotation, if that made
sense. So like it was either A4 or dots
really that that's the sort of wicked.
You either have to be really contented in or if you're going
to drive or hit that you're going to have to really hit out.
I just get the fielding. Once you get on top on a on a

(22:59):
team and that situation as well.They let us off with a few
sloppy miss fields that went forfour and you taking singles when
they shouldn't be. And then they start trying to
plug gaps and it just, it's a momentum game at that stage.
Once you've broken the back there, it becomes easy in the
sense that they are just, they've almost given up in a way
that they're not really. They're just trying to get to 50
overs and get in almost, yeah. And they end up go.

(23:21):
From 200 to 260 without they even realising they're just
trying to get to the end. 100% and that's a really good
description as the ball getting softer, you know, we've all
played lots and lots of cricket,but I'm not sure any of us have
gone out to bat and think if a bat for 10 overs, the ball's
going to get softer. So that's the the professional
mentality and they're working out the game.

(23:42):
So that's a really good insight for the listeners and and as
you've said, you know, to have us, you know, 67 for for four
and the pros gone. The two good opening batters
have gone it it was a good, wellwasn't good.
It was a fantastic recovery. So there's some you're picking
your shots. You can tell that that shot that

(24:03):
you play, it is almost a straight back that you play,
which goes over deep mid wicket.You get yourself in a position,
you get yourself stable and because you've read the ball,
you can hit it and you're not, you know, you're not necessarily
pulling it. It's almost straight.
There's one that rattled under me van knocking the exhaust all
over. And then the the second fix you

(24:24):
hit is as big as I've I've seen for a while, certainly down that
neck of the woods. Just describe those shots and
and were they premeditated? Was it something you were
prepared? Yeah, so.
Ollie was bowling really slow. I think he didn't.
Obviously with the short boundary being straight, he was
trying to make it really hard for you to come at it and and
all amateur Baptists if they go zone is to run down the track

(24:46):
and and go straight. So he was trying to keep it out
of that hitting zone. And with hockey there we would
we like 2 wickets away. So if I or hockey get out with
three overs to go, nothing against Joe Martin, I'm I'm sure
he could accelerate and score it20 of 10 balls.
But I was just saying to hockey like, look, even the second to
last over against the pro, even if we face a maiden there, we

(25:08):
can still score 20 of the last over.
We just need to make sure we don't go too early and it was
just setting up for that. I knew last over there.
That's what I was going to do. But hockey hit the nice six the
the previous over of him and I played a nice sweep.
Not trying too much risk. But as soon as I knew right,
we've got the last over in, it'snow goes on and that shot
planned out like I know he's going to go slow.

(25:29):
I knew where I wanted to go and you just sort of pre execute.
But yeah, it was a it was a niceone, the second.
One, yeah, I think to. Joe, I hit it today and I went,
oh, that's fake. But in my head and I just
watched the go all the way and Ijust kept looking at it and when
it bounced, I got up and just went to the keeper.
That's fake. And I probably said it to the

(25:51):
wrong person. I Rochdale's keeper was not
probably a prototypical first team keeper.
I don't think he appreciated it.Yeah, and that's how you
describe it afterwards. But you, you're so good at this
telling stories, Frankie. You actually showed us in the
bar how you did it. And then you turn around and
it's just a big wall. You're not doing it to belittle
him or any of the Roxville players.

(26:12):
You're doing it of excitement. Yeah, I don't.
I don't always hit the most sixes, but that was definitely
yeah, yeah, that. Went to you did go a long, long
way. So we get way beyond what sort
of what I expected and I think what other people expected.
They are really, you know, it was quite warm.
So they're down and out a littlebit. 265 for 9.

(26:37):
You know, we've had partnerships.
There's a partnership there of 70, you know, another
partnership, you know, 50 in no time, 60 in the last. 5 overs,
just 60 in the last five overs A.
Kick in, the teeth out. Yeah, and and.
Especially we're 8 down as well,Joe.
So we go again to that, you know, we have that belief and

(26:58):
that knowledge. And I know what you're saying.
You know, Joe Martin's not goingto wait 30 off and over.
He's not going to hit fours and sixes everywhere.
But he will stop with you or he'll stop with Hawker or he
will contribute to, you know, anextra 20 runs later on.
He will never give up 1 Joe. So we it's a fantastic effort to
get to that many and I do think I was really not said to the

(27:19):
people around, you know, it'd begreat if this is a good game and
a close game and we can, you know, can win it.
Obviously we want to win it and and be entertained right up to
to seven 8:00. But it wasn't to be, you know,
good work. Again, only the bowler with
Paddy, I think that were a must.Joe Martin.
A few of us were thinking that Dan might have opened as well
within. Was that ever a consideration

(27:41):
that you're aware of? I know you never get asked, but
was that a consideration? No, Always going to help me
come. Yeah, yeah, I think.
With the ball being really hard and trying to make the most of
that bit of inconsistent when itgoes, when it crashes through
the top, it will. It will mostly happen when the
balls hard and letting Tom come in, pushing back a little bit,

(28:04):
knowing that they're going to come out hard, trying to break
the back a little bit. And his ability to get out their
best players as well. I think gave giving him a burst
and then you always know you've got down whenever you need him
to come back on. I think that was always the way
to go, yeah. And that's exactly what
happened. I mean, to be fair to them, it
wasn't a case of we're just going to hang around and and get
to 150 and see what we can get off the last 10 overs.

(28:27):
I think they were looking to score quickly, whether that was
speed, the end of the game up orthey thought that they could
push through and get towards that 200 mark and then have a
real fist of it. But great bowling performances,
you know, Paddy's four for 61, two stumpings for you, Joe
Martin getting your stumpings up, one off, down, one off off.

(28:50):
Paddy, you feel comfortable on that pitch.
It wasn't easy, no. Yeah, no, it wasn't easy,
especially as Francois said whenthe ball got a little bit softer
and it's slower, but Dan got gets quite a lot of bounce.
So it ball one and one went pastmy head and I kind of wondered

(29:12):
how I was going to fare on this wicket.
But yeah, no, I think it was yeah, it wasn't easy to keep on
stood up. So I had to change, change my
stance a little bit to try and abit more access to the ball
turning in or away from the left-hander.
So it it just a case of making sure you concentrate.

(29:36):
So even though you know, there'sa lot of you know, you're
thinking about winning and then winning the league and
everything, you still got to kind of keep doing your job.
I guess if you if you can't because you're going to get
there, going to get there quicker if you do that.
The thing that I didn't enjoy was I got pulled from fine leg
to a very short third slip against Tom Walker.

(29:58):
The ball, the amount of balls that didn't carry to Joe
bouncing short and then one flying through at his head was
really enjoyable because I couldjust have one hitting me either
on the shin or in the nose. I think that was the hardest is
finding a way to stand, which iskind of like, are you coming
closer? Do you try and wear one or do

(30:20):
you go deeper? And yeah, it was really tricky
and and. Your third slip to the spinner
as well, Frank. Yeah, you got to get down.
Yeah. I can't imagine it was a good
sight on the on the street. I noticed I had a massive hole
in my whites and I thought it happened because I had my whites

(30:41):
on all night on on Sunday. And then I noticed it on the in
during the night. And we don't have a we're
renovating the whole house. So we have no kitchen at the
moment, no washing machine. And I've just been to the in
laws for food And Ian said, oh, that hole was there last week.
So I have been playing with thathole.
So I don't know what it looked like on the stream, but like I

(31:01):
said, I can't imagine them beingpleasant.
No, no. And and that's a good point as
well. Frankly, the outfield was, you
know, was born hard and, and it's difficult, you know, I know
we've done a lot of work on the 8th field, but it's still it's a
minefield of all banks and in front here anyway, you know,
yes, shooting through it, it is so difficult.
So I'm not even going to ask thequestion.

(31:21):
Were you ever in doubt? You know, you obviously won it
quite, quite quickly, quite early.
There was about 11 of us had a sweepstake around the around
where we were sat as to what score they would get and it was
interesting that die one, Matt'swife won the actual sweepstake.
Duch went for 88 and I went for I think 118.

(31:43):
So die one, the £11.00. There were no 1 / 150 though I
think right at the start. I don't think anyone that
anticipated them getting any more than that.
But a great win, you know, in the league title in the bike
with three games to go is is there any, I know we can
continue to put this out on the the house cast.
Any plans yet? Any thoughts about, you know, an

(32:05):
official celebration, open top buses through Padium or anything
like that? I'll let the the people in
charge of that make those decisions.
I only turn up. I'm the personality.
I don't make the decisions. Let the Media Group do that.
Yeah, exactly. We there was a massive, there
was a massive 2 day celebration planned originally, which I was

(32:30):
getting ready and Patty rang me to say that it's been cancelled.
So I think yeah, we'll have to probably do another one at some
stage. Yeah, Day 2.
Day 2 was cancelled. Yes, day.
Two well, that was predicted. I said back to Patty a week ago,
and I know we discussed it, to play golf this morning and I
said, well, let's just see what happened on Monday.
But I think we both knew what was going to happen.

(32:50):
Yeah, I was ready, Jess. Jess, I was ready for Day 2.
You were ready to go on the football.
I was. I was up for anything within
reason. Yeah, I want to describe.
Myself as ready but I was. I was on my way to go.
Yeah. And do we know who cancelled it?
Was it a team? I just think I just.
Think it's one of those chase that nobody actually puts out

(33:12):
that they're going and you just end up realising that everybody
is pretty tired. Yeah, no.
One, no one's going Yeah, yeah, the three in the dressing room
were pretty tired. I think so.
An outstanding performance. The way the league season's
gone, the the amount of great performances, you know, backs

(33:32):
against the wall with some gamesthat you've won, that you've
worked extremely hard, hard. Absolutely congratulations to
the whole team. The whole group had the set up
at the club. So fantastic to see that Joe
Duke is the from the management side.
The management committee has there been much spoke about
since Sunday about going forward, the rest of the season

(33:54):
and next year that you can actually reveal.
No, we haven't. We haven't discussed anything
yet. We will obviously in the close
season sit down and see where weare and what what we need to do
in the in the winter. But that that hasn't taken place
yet. As far as I'm concerned, we'll
just continue the season, finishit off as strong as we possibly

(34:15):
can from a selection point of view.
You know, I hope that we don't have too many changes between
now and the end of the season. I'd like to see us finish as
strong as we possibly can, both ones and twos.
And then we'll we'll see where we see where we get to in the
winter. Yeah.
Brilliant. Thanks.
Thanks Duche. I'm going to go on to the twos

(34:35):
now. Is there anything else from you
Frankie, before we arrive at thecup final?
That's all before we move on to to the second team.
Sorry about the cup final lead the last game, yeah.
I think just the the one of the,it's a weird feeling because
you've not been, I've not been there at the start of the season
and then sort of coming in midway through.

(34:56):
It's a bit of a different feeling, maybe the whole year
commitment. But the nicest feeling for me
was it's like certain people, especially Ben, who's I don't
think people can understand how much of himself is given to have
that moment on Sunday. And it was just a really nice
moment sharing that with him, obviously Southie, Charlie and

(35:17):
Henry together. There's so many nice moments
that you share with the group. So I just think that that's an
important though for me, especially then.
And I definitely told him about 20 times as well in different
variations set stages on on Sunday night that.
But I think that that was the the nicest moment for me was
because I know how much he's he's wanted it for so long and
how much he's worked behind the scenes and how much he's

(35:40):
stressed sleepless nights worried about it to culminate on
that. So.
No, that's a lovely thing to saythat because he was he was he
was over the movie obviously, and and the way you know, he
celebrated it with his family and then obviously with all the
players and the supporters was was a joy to behold.
Joe Martin. Anything about the title win and
the actual weekend etcetera. Before I move on, I.

(36:02):
Think I've been involved in fourleague titles all kind of at
different stages of playing in the first team and this one felt
a little bit different as especially because you know,
it's like 11 years since, since,since we won the last one.
Obviously we won the 1st 2 with Francois and that was amazing to

(36:22):
get such a good group of young cricketers together and, and,
and do something that was, it was really special at the time
and, and still continues to be. So we have really fond memories
of that 2014. You had a group of players that
knew how to win and, and and so on.
And this one has been has been abig build up and and this has

(36:44):
been in the making for two years.
So Dan and Ben deserve a lot of credit for putting the right
kind of atmosphere and and team together to really try and and
and play some enjoyable cricket.And not just enjoyable for buzz

(37:05):
playing, but enjoyable for everybody watching as well.
And it felt, it felt joyous the win on on Sunday and how we
played for the last couple of years.
So it was extremely enjoyable towin in and and win playing such
positive cricket, I mean. I mean, they're great words as
as well, John. It is something that we have

(37:28):
spoke right on this podcast and the people might laugh and
think, oh, you know, it's ridiculous, but the IT is, you
know, you're looking like you'reenjoying the cricket even when
it's not going well. You know, you battle through it
and if you don't, you know, you don't win, you lose particular
games. You know, the Burnley game in
the semi final, the cup, it's a game of cricket and you move on.

(37:49):
People enjoy watching you all and it's entertainment.
That's what you're there for. I know, you know, it's not like
the Premier League where people are getting 10s, hundreds of
thousands of pounds to play in it, but it is there.
It's an entertainment game and the people who came on Sunday,
as I said, a lot of people who don't generally watch it,
certainly we're entertained. So great work for you and for

(38:09):
Frankie and and the rest of the team.
Second team, it's worth going through this.
This was outstanding. The same team we're back
watching. I mean first team finish at half
five and the second team have managed to get back and watch
about an hour, maybe a bit longer.
Probably, yeah. Probably a couple of hours and
and this is not to belittle anyone at all and it's not to to

(38:32):
think that we are big time Charlies, but there was a little
amount of planning in this as well.
I believe. I think the second team have
gone there or they haven't won the toss, but Accrington have
battered first and we bowled them out for 69 in in 23 overs.
Ollie Williams 7 wickets and andand Charlie Bissell 3 wickets.

(38:53):
You know, great performance bowling them out as quickly as
they did. And then by all accounts it's a
case of let's get Keegan up the order and let's go out and, and
knock them off and they knocked off the 70 in 7.3 overs and
we're done and dusted back at the club.
The second team are a great group of people.
Dooch there is, you know, they, they're quite a young side that

(39:16):
ensured they got promotion to the top division.
Do you foresee any difficulties next year because of the
different in standard between that first and second division?
And if so, has the club got any plans as to how they can try and
address that? Well, first of all, you're
right, it is a it is a difference in standard and and
they will notice that for sure next year.

(39:37):
You know, they've they've costedthrough this division this year,
barely losing a game. And you know that that will not
happen next year. You know, they're going to,
they're going to come up againstsome very, very strong second
elevens and they will have to sort of up the game to, to keep,
to keep in that division. But I, I, I do think they've got

(39:57):
more than enough to stay in thatdivision.
I think they'll be fine. I think they, they, they are a
developing side. They've got some young lads who
are getting better, who are getting more exposed to, to
second team cricket. Obviously the captain himself
is, is getting better as a, as acaptain and he scored runs.
So I, I think they'll be fine. Actually.

(40:17):
They're not going to find it as easy as they found this year,
but I do think they'll be fine in terms of plans.
I presume you're talking about recruitment.
Well, we haven't even, we don't even, we don't even got there
yet. And I don't know, do we ever
really actively recruit second team players?
I don't, I don't think, I don't think that's really what we what
we, what we do as a club. You know, we've got some young

(40:38):
players and we would like to give opportunities to.
Of course, if there is a, an opportunity to sign someone who
we think would be would be useful to us as a club, then we
would look at it. But I don't see you signing a
number of players to to to play in the 2nd 11.
No, that's a great point, dude. I've not really thought that
myself when I asked the question.

(40:59):
You know, sort of, you know, it's not a great thing to say.
Will you come play in our seconds, especially if they're
in someone else's first team? But I'm just thinking more about
the squad mentality we have thatreal first and second team all
together. There's obviously a difference
in attitude and a little bit of difference in an ability
obviously, but we, you know, we encourage plays from other clubs

(41:23):
who can perform in our second team and then push the first
team for injury. We've been so good this year.
We haven't had a real loss of form.
We haven't had a lot of injuries.
So we've had to settle side. You know, there's two or three
players in my mind that I'm aware of that I'm not prepared
to say I'm here that possibly would look to come and and play
and it's not something we'd discourage.
I guess. Do I know what you're saying

(41:43):
about it not going out and recruiting, but well is there is
a? Balance to be struck between,
you know, signing players and developing your own.
And we, we obviously shouldn't lose sight of that, should we?
We don't, we don't want to, we don't want to hamper the
development of, of our young lads who've had a taste this
year just for the sake of signing X number of players.

(42:07):
And you know, we won't discourage signing players, but
there has to be, there has to bea balance, I think.
Yeah, I get that. And I and I, I like the way
you're avoiding the question. I'm not avoiding.
The question I'm not avoiding itat all.
I I'm not aware of us going after any players, certainly not
at the moment. Would we do it?
Yes, if it was the right set of circumstances, just the in the

(42:29):
way that we've signed plays for the first team in the past.
But I guess, I guess. I wouldn't like to see us sign 3
to play 2nd 11 and that that knocks back the development of
three of the younger lads so that that would that wouldn't
sit well with me. I just want to.
Point out I I had a really good Sunday because I won two leagues
actually on Sunday being a a former second team player this

(42:53):
year as well, so it was quite a double enjoyable day for me.
Yeah. I mean, it's worth it's worth
mentioning that for the listeners going back this year,
and it's a question that will bring me onto nicely Frankie
about you're what happened last year with yourself and then
coming back and playing this year for the listeners benefit.

(43:16):
Frankie decided mid season, justbefore the halfway stage or, or
announced that he wanted to, to come back and play and he wanted
to, to, to contribute to the lawHouse cause Frankie will go into
it, I'm sure in details in a minute.
His job that he does, the coaching that he does at a
school in the area does restricthim a little bit during certain

(43:38):
periods of the season. But when Frankie announced that
he wanted to be considered, it was a particular period where no
one was injured, no one was out of form.
So it was a case of Frankie. You're going to have to play in
the settings and prove yourself.The second team players I've
spoken to Frankie and again I'm blowing smoke up your backside.
I've said it was an absolute pleasure the the your attitude

(44:01):
and the way you played. So all credit for that.
Can you talk us through your thoughts last year when you
decided not to play again and then why you started to make
noises of coming back playing please and I?
I think the biggest thing was I don't think, I don't think I
could. I could retire.
I could. I could never just say right,

(44:21):
that's it. But I definitely just didn't
enjoy. Playing.
Cricket. I don't think there was a
specific reason to why I didn't really know why me and dudes
chat a lot during that. And I think we both were aware
that I think if I have to do everything again, I would do
exactly that. And I think I just needed to
understand exactly what wasn't it, what I wasn't enjoying, what

(44:41):
was it? Was it actually cricket?
Was it the time away? Was it weather?
I wasn't sure what it was and I think just taking a bit of time
away. The big realisation for me was
was the feeling of time congestion.
It just felt like almost, even though I was an amateur, the
expectation me from a time when I'm playing, the expectation of
what the players still expected of me, I don't know.

(45:04):
But still in my own head I just saw myself still as a
professional even though I've been an amateur for a long time
and just having a bit of time away, I sort of relaxed my mind.
I was, I was really happy and content not playing cricket when
it was April and they were friendlies and everything was
going on and I was fully involved with my golf and I've
been playing the best golf I've probably done in years.

(45:26):
But probably 3 weeks in now I was saying to do it's like you
just don't get the same enjoyment playing the best round
of your life at golf there. You can't share it with anybody.
There's just nobody, nobody really even cares going through
all your shots or what you've done well or there's just nobody
to share it with. And I think that's the biggest
thing that I missed is the team ethos and the team environment.

(45:48):
And that's their quite contentious that I've had coming
back that it's not about really how how well I bat or what I
personally do is just trying to impact games of cricket for the
team and making sure that we canwin.
And we I apologise to you on that semi final in the because
you were you were saying, oh, really well backed it.

(46:08):
And I said, I can't say well back because if we didn't win,
like I would rather get 0 or notwin.
And that's the that's the sort of feeling and the reason why I
came back. And I think I've just accepted.
I don't think I could just, I'm going to have to be carried off
for there has to be some catastrophic something.
I think I'm just going to alwaysplay cricket, not necessarily
because I absolutely love the game, but it's the team culture

(46:32):
and ethos. And as long as that is healthy
and positive and I feel like I'mgiving up my free time for
something that I can really enjoy and be part of, then, I
mean, I don't know what the timeframe is for cricket, but it's
it's definitely massively extended.
I don't, yeah. Yeah.
Yeah, and I suppose it's also, it'd be interesting your view on

(46:53):
this dudes, because you know Frankie so well and you've had
these chats with him and also the, the, the spectator element
of it. You know, you, you are a social
man. You love talking to any
spectators. You will talk to them about the
game, about the your performanceor the people's performance.
And I I get where you're coming from with the golf aspect.

(47:13):
You know, you play the best round ever on a fantastic
course, but after the game you're talking about your shots
or your partner's talking about your, you know, your shots or
their shots. So it I really get that.
What's your take on it? Duche with the Frank, he's
fantastic. Obviously he's come back and
play for us and no credit, you know, for performing in the
second team and get himself in the first team the way he did.

(47:35):
What was your take on it and thetime and was there ever any
doubt that it wasn't the right thing to do as a club?
No, I don't think there was any doubt that it was the right
thing to do it. It was difficult at the time
because we were top of the league and we had a very settled
side and you know, we spoke at the time and said well let's

(47:57):
wait for an opportunity to pick him.
And then a couple of weeks went by and that didn't really
happen. I think there was one game that
he played at home against Ramsbottom, but then that sort
of shot that you were that you were waiting for didn't, didn't
really come. So that's when the second team
discussion happened, which obviously raised a lot of
eyebrows. We know we have an an ex

(48:18):
professional who's playing in the 2nd 11, which, you know,
doesn't doesn't look natural to a lot of people who'd be looking
at that. But but then we quickly worked
out a way of of getting him in. And since then it's it's it's
been it's been great. I mean, I've just been looking
at you, looking at the rules that you scored this year in a
in a short space of time. What is it 2 If you've got

(48:41):
Frankie 272187 knocks? I know you're not really I know
you're not really a stats man anyway, But for that, you know,
40 fives, an average of 45 S in terms of giving the team a push
to get us over the line, whetherwe needed it or otherwise, I'm
not sure. But but what Johnny Russell

(49:02):
actually said to me on Sunday, what a signing that that would
have been after, you know, aftermaybe half a season to bring to
bring Frankie in and and give usthe push.
The one thing I wanted to ask you though is what about your
spot in the battery line up? Because I've heard you say a
number of times in previous seasons that you didn't want to
bat at 5 even, never mind six. Yeah, that's because I have.

(49:24):
To bat 19 Barlow, Sorry. And, and now and now this year,
obviously you've been at, you'vebeen batting at six, which I
think is a great spot for you tobe in for the team.
But what, how, how do you sort of rationalise that?
What's your, what's your thoughts on that?
I've given what you've said previously.
I. Think the reasons why I didn't
want to bat lower down was not necessarily because of the

(49:47):
numbers spot specific. It was the role and the way that
we back in the top order now versus this may be how we've
gone in the years past was completely different.
You would go in, you would go inwith the run rate at fives and
that allows you at #6 to controlthe game a lot better where in
how you batted at number six. Maybe in other years where we

(50:10):
were 124 four or 40 overs and then you go in with 10 overs
left and people expected to pulla hat out of the bag.
And I just was the reason why I didn't want to do it.
I feel I can be more impactful backing higher up control that
we don't end up 124 four, but the way 164 four, for instance,
that that was the main reason. But the fact that the approach

(50:31):
that we have from Johnny and Benwith Henry at 3 as a junior, the
way that Southie bats, the way that Tom Walker especially bats,
and me filling that slot, it doesn't really feel like you are
batting at #6 if you will you, you still had, I still came in
with probably what, 30 somethingovers left on.
On. And those loads are always and I

(50:53):
think I've embraced their responsibility and the competing
of batting at number six, it's completely different.
I think when you open the batting or bat 3, you've got a
blank canvas. You're you can almost just
dictate how you want to play. Doesn't really matter about the
situation. When you're batting number six,
you you have to almost adapt to what the game's giving you and

(51:13):
you've got to roll with the punches there.
And I think I've embraced that side in terms of the
competitiveness and controlling and batting with the Tom Walker,
batting with the Charlie Gansler, batting with Paddy,
batting with the the guys aroundit.
I think it's that responsibilityand it's the competitiveness.
I think that side of just competing in a slightly
different way that I've embracedand I'm not necessarily against

(51:37):
anybody would probably want to that longer, but I'm very
content and I think for the teamit's definitely the best.
If if something had to change and people miss or people aren't
scoring runs and they feel to push me up, that's fine, but
it's definitely not something I'm pushing.
Yeah, and I think you know when I mean it's little.
Come on to your your fitness andthe way you play those

(52:00):
beginnings, which you might, youknow, you've had at least three
this year. Unfortunately, we fell short at
Rammy in the burger game. But you've had big innings where
you've made massive impact just yourself.
And if you know, if you're doingthat, if you're batting in the
top three or four and you've been asked to bowl a couple of
overs, you know, it's not as easy.
I think it's worth mentioning against the listeners.

(52:21):
Frankie put so much in to to hisbowling and certainly he's and
he's batting and the fielding and, and I'm not being unkind.
Frankly, I don't think you've got that athletic live body that
can roll. We don't.
Think I've ever had it. I'm just the same athleticism
but just extra 25 kilogrammes. I'm putting a bit more into my

(52:43):
eating and drinking these days. Yeah, the other stuff, but yeah,
100%. Look, my body is feeling OK.
It's still creaky. And I even if I don't play
cricket, it's a bit creaky waking up.
But the fact that I'm bowling aswell, it's quite exciting.
Like I'm sure you you would knowthat feeling of bowling a ball
jazz and that when it's just coming out and you're getting
that feeling of it's just shaping or nipping.

(53:05):
And I have a few spurs and a fewsmall bursts there.
That's quite exciting. And I just, we've been so good
with the ball this year that I've just not necessarily been
needed. And yeah, that could change.
Yeah, that that could change. Yeah.
And I just to clarify the point I was making there, you know,
Frankie is a young cricketer, came to us during his first

(53:27):
couple of years. He was sharp.
He ran in and was quick, could, you know, could obviously move
the ball around, but was a quickbowl of throwing everything into
it. If I get if I can't say, you
know, a typical South African that I'm going to throw
everything into this game and I'm going to, you know, try and
win at all costs. And it does suffer.
The body does suffer as a resultof that.

(53:48):
So it's all credit that you've you've made the decision.
It's so interesting listening towhat you said about coming back
for this year. And I'm aware you're not, you're
not a rain affected game player whatsoever.
And I can see that. And you, you will be a real
nuisance in the dressing room when it's raining.
I bet I'm. I'm all right.
I think there's definitely one or two guys that will happily

(54:10):
take that mantle off me. I'm the quietest guy.
Sometimes you don't get a word in Yeah.
Yeah, it was what you were talking.
About Come on Share Share the. I don't want to say anybody's
name. It might start with the with the
J, both of them a double J, you know.
A double J honestly in. Warm ups on Sunday, they were

(54:30):
just, it was just there. How did you find a Joe in warm
ups with the two twins Dumb and Dumber?
It was challenging. They were throwing the wickets
in the in the MKM, they were kicking footballs everywhere
because they were. Excited about the day I don't.
Know what was going on? Honestly, it was they were

(54:51):
throwing water in each other's faces and trying to kick each
other. I mean set.
Up all the all the training stuff, I don't have to, but I
like doing it. It's quite a nice thing to do,
set up the football tennis. I'm sure the spectators and, and
listeners have seen us play football tennis.
So I set the net up the sport stumps out and a rope and they,
and they kept booting the stumpsout of the ground.

(55:13):
So I had to keep picking them up, putting them back in.
And then when I put them back in, they pick, they kick them,
pull them out and then they keptthrowing them into the, into the
overgrown stuff on the side. So I had to keep going into the
nettles to find them at one stage.
Johnny tied with the rope that was there.

(55:35):
And. This is the biggest game of the
season, Yeah, I mean. The good thing for us is
probably in years gone past, we've not so been so good to
switch on. But the fact that we went out
and still, still did the business was fine, yeah.
Yeah. They are definitely the two that
would be the leading candidates in a way a rain effective game.

(55:59):
Yeah, and they're not, you know,and it's good in the environment
you're in. You're winning, they're
performing, you're all performing.
You can put up with a cart, you know, I'm dope.
It's not a doom and gloom comment this.
But as soon as things start going the other way around, then
it's not as funny and and it gets difficult to to manage it.
But I'm sure Dan and Ben would be all over that.
No. I.

(56:19):
Think it's fine. I just think it's it's fantastic
that people are able to express themselves a little bit in terms
of character without getting vilified or having to feel like
they have to not be. And I mean, I'm sure people were
definitely nervous even though they didn't want to talk about
it. And people deal with such stuff
like that differently. And I think we had a good chat
and the change was before we went out and everything was good

(56:41):
to go. Brilliant, a fantastic day and
and great work. We've come really up to to the
conclusion and we can talk through a few other bits and
backs before we finish. You know, great work from the
second team this weekend becausethey have been promoted.
It's it's mathematically impossible for them not to be

(57:04):
promoted. But this Sunday they can win the
title at home. So let's get down there.
Let's get as big a crowd as possible playing E lanks at home
on Sunday. So please get down and support
the second team and let's have another celebrations for them.
I've no other questions on here.I don't think I'll come to you

(57:28):
last, Frankie, but I'll just go round the around the group.
Duke, is there anything you wantto bring up anything about the
goal? I've had a.
Submitted question and it's to ask Frankie how he's coaching
gig at Rotten Stalls. Going well.
Thanks Joe. Was who's that from?
Is that from like AJ/B Drew? Drew.
No, I I got sacked. It's like one of those backroom

(57:51):
staff, when the manager gets sacked, the assistant coach gets
sacked as well. So I I left with the fat man
all. Right, OK.
I was just wondering because when you, when you got announced
as coach, it was like a bit of fanfare.
Wasn't there on the lecture league website, you know,
Frankie's going to coach Rottenstall and I've not seen
anything that, you know, that said that you got potted.
So I don't know. I just thought you must have

(58:12):
still been doing it. No, it's not been done.
I think the more shocking thing was is that Dean was wearing his
shirt on Sunday and he was giving me stick about my cricket
whites and we swapped shirts andmy shirt was looser on me than
it was on him. No, it was interesting when that
was announced because, you know,there was, I mean, not for most,

(58:32):
really, but a few people around the league did make comments to
me that, oh, is Frank, you're going to go and play over at
wrong store. And I'm thinking there's not a
not a chance that Frankie would be playing.
You know, his body doesn't work properly.
He don't like being in the dressing room when it's raining.
Is he ever going to leave lower house to go and try somewhere
else? So that's a shame that it's
finished. But I'm sure some people

(58:53):
benefited from your coaching, Frank.
Yeah, I. Think like on a, On a serious
note, like good mates with Paulo, he was really trying to
impact some change. And I don't know, the insurance
and outs of politics. I think it was just something to
try and help. Like we've had good discussions
about cricket moving forward. It was trying to do Wednesday
night with, with some of the senior players and there are

(59:16):
obviously obstacles for that as well.
And but it just didn't quite work out in terms of timing of
school. It's a fixture day.
So I didn't, I couldn't always go.
And then when Dean decided it's time to go, I think he he told
also the question. I said, well, my tie was through
him. Yeah.
I would feel I would feel a bit not awkward, but it would feel a
little bit uncomfortable for me if I'm there and Dean is isn't

(59:37):
there anymore. Yeah, yeah.
No, I accept that and it's a good question, Drew, thanks very
much. Keep them, keep them coming in.
Anything else to do and? Not for Frankie, but I did want
to mention that podcast listenerDanny SIM is getting married at
weekends, so we'll give him a podcast shout out.
Good luck, Danny. Sid does that.

(59:58):
Mean Jackson misses another gamebecause how many He's Jack.
Doesn't need any encouragement to miss games, but perhaps we
will let him off this weekend. Oh, look weird.
Question I was saying to Simeon Sunday, have I played more games
of cricket than in the season oras he played more games this
season than me this season? Good point man.
Carry on talking. I'll have a look now.

(01:00:22):
Yeah, I think so. In fact, I've just gone through
our WhatsApp messages. We have another question.
Oh, this is from Drew Peacock aswell.
I don't know why I sent it me and not you, douche.
I've looked at the video footagearound the celebrations at the
end of the game and I was just wondering why Joe Martin didn't
join in. Did they not have size small use

(01:00:45):
available? The the trunk things I'm.
Assuming that's what Drew's getting at, yeah.
I think I addressed this at the start.
It's not real. I was, I was in and around the
group. It's not really my cup of tea.
And one thing that we're really encouraged is making sure that
we be ourselves in the tea. And I was being mine.

(01:01:07):
I was actually putting more clothes on than taking them off.
Yeah, so. It wasn't anything to do with
the size of the trunks. No, I actually had them on.
I had them on like all right. OK.
Under his jeans. Jesse had them on, Yeah.
Yeah, well, maybe one day, mayberetirement or when we win all
four trophies one year, we couldpersuade you to to give us a

(01:01:29):
flash run around the ground on your own needs.
To be a warm bit. I'm going to see if it's a
service all jock strap for your boxing to bat it, yeah.
Yeah, that'd be good. So brilliant.
Thanks, Duke, for those questions.
And yeah, you're right with Danny.
You know all the best for this weekend and and and Jack's

(01:01:51):
missing another game but take home we move on Joe Mark and
anything from yourself before wego to Frankie to to finish the
episode. I'm going to.
Go to my usual kind of comment that the Fours finished their
season last on Saturday. They beat Todd Madden against a

(01:02:11):
reasonably strong Todd Madden team as well.
They ball them out for 81 and then and then knock them off 1
down. Logan Howard got another 40 odd.
Will Fallows took 4 wickets. So they finish 4th in their
league, which is a fantastic achievement again.
And obviously we mentioned last week how good a job Pinky's
doing, but it's really, really excellent stuff.

(01:02:36):
Yeah, great. Work he's for those who don't
know, Pinky's a lot of used to play for his years ago.
He's come back and he's helping out fantastically well with the
juniors with the you set up and also captain in the the force
and we he's keen to come on and talk about it.
So hopefully we'll have him on in the next couple of weeks and
we can really go through the, you know, the lower sides, the

(01:02:56):
thirds and the fourths and the juniors section.
And thanks Pinky for his work. So there's nothing else really
to talk about on here. Frankly, it's been a pleasure
having you on and, and chatting through the weekend and the way
you've been honest about the season and and why you didn't
play and why you came back to finish up.
What do you want to say? No, just thanks for having me

(01:03:17):
on. Just back with the with the
seconds. I think it would be amazing.
They are so keen to learn. They say it's a great bunch of
lads. I think for next year, if we can
get a really healthy second teamto get us close as a gap between
the first team would be amazing because they're still kids in
there with potential. That could potentially be good

(01:03:38):
options for if people do get injured in terms of filling gaps
in there and just trying to helppromote their development still,
even though they're not youngsters anymore, but they're
still young enough to to develop.
Making sure that we we try our best in that sense as well and
not lose anybody. I think we're in that position
where we've got really good second team cricketers to make

(01:03:58):
sure that we don't end up somebody deciding they don't see
a way into the first team and maybe go somewhere else to play
first in cricket and stuff like that.
But we still try and ensure thatthere's a pathway there for them
as well. That is a really good point,
Frankie, that you know will knowCross, you know the way Charlie
Bissell, you know they're getting regular performance and

(01:04:21):
it's only because the first teamare doing so well.
So that could change at the dropof a hat.
These players could be expected to come in and play important
roles, so I'm sure they will be as committed as they have been.
But no, it's a great point now Frankie.
So Frankie, thanks ever so much for coming on.
Really appreciate it. Your insight into cricket is
fantastic and the spectators will actually, you know, they

(01:04:41):
love listening to that and getting the views of it.
So if there's nothing else from anyone, we will, we will stop
the podcast. Thanks everyone for listening.
We will be doing the the draw early next week, which is
something which is everyone looks forward to guess the
winner, guess the winner. Brilliant, yes, guess the
winner. So we'll be doing that early

(01:05:02):
next week and, and thanks all for listening and let's continue
to support The Lands right through the end of the season.
Thanks for listening everyone. Morden Morden send more house to

(01:05:32):
save the house. Sorry Joe, you not hate.
Painting. No.
I don't hate it. I really enjoyed the
satisfaction of peeling the lines off and seeing it being
nice and tight. But but the but to get there at

(01:05:54):
times I'm a bit like it's a bit mind knowing, but it's a bit
cathartic. I like mowing the lawn or
hoovering for for that same reason.
So it's not I don't hate hate that it's more than prep as I'm
putting all the tape on clean washing sounding.
That's what that. Just don't know he goes to spend
to paint. I'm Portugal.

(01:06:15):
Yeah, international. Painter.
Yeah, don't say much. Lisa's listening.
Painting my ass, hey.