The story of Brighton 2025 from the point of view of a “tour virgin”.
Arrived at the ground on Friday for the game against Brighton & Hove Crescent. Not only for my first ever game on tour, but also my first game as captain. Lost the toss and we were bowling. Late change to the XI as there was a Jeeves swap as Brian dropped out for Alfie.
Team was: J Mitchell Snr, J Mitchell Jnr, J Walsh, R Ruffell, L Harp, C Turner, T Mitchell, A Jeeves, D Wooler, M Feather, A Wade.
Opening the bowling were Alaric and Toby. Initially went with Luke behind the stumps as we were lead to believe the opposition were not that strong. Solid opening spell, interrupted a couple of times by mother nature, which delivered a couple of wickets. First change and “tour bowler” Matt came on alongside Ciaran and again both delivered a couple of wickets between them. Whilst wickets were falling at one end, B&HC’s number 3 was racking up the runs. He was eventually bowled by Alfie for 76. One of 4 victims to fall to the mystery spin of Jeeves the younger. That spell helped turn the innings as at one point we looked like we could’ve been chasing 230+. Amongst this, a change was made behind the stumps as Ciaran replaced Luke. This allowed the 1st team skipper to contribute with 3 overs of his own which leaked only 11 runs. Really helped the stem the flow of runs. As the opening bowlers came back on to complete their 7 overs, there was even space for the skipper to get an over in, getting my opposite number out when they went back to one, which bounced a bit higher off what had been a very unpredictable artificial track, and stepped on there own stumps. B&HC’s closed on 194-9 off 35 overs. Setting us 195 to win.
Went with the 3 Johns in the top 3 in reply, but when they contributed 5 runs between them, didn’t look the greatest idea. Being 4-2 at the end of the 2nd over wasn’t exactly in the plan. But a recovery job was started by Rhys at 4. Playing some very good attacking shots in an excellent 40. Luke and Ciaran at 5&6 respectively went pretty much from ball 1 as expected and counter attacked brilliantly for 11 & 28. Toby came and went for a duck and due to the lack of cricket over the weekend wore the duck for the rest of the tour. Little cameos by Alfie and myself still left us on 107-9 off 21 overs and it looked like a heavy defeat was heading our way. Then Matt and Alaric came together, they started playing some shots and things went from making the score look respectable to actually still having a chance of winning the game. The unbroken stand of 77 so nearly got us over the line. Ending up 184-9 off our 35. Top scorer with an unbeaten 48 was Alaric Wade. A great game in the end.
Post match we headed to a local “watering hole” Ladies Mile for a couple of bevvies with the oppo. Another downpour whilst the beer garden had everyone ducking for cover inside. It was whilst here that we found out the game for Saturday was off. Then it was back to the hotel (via the long way round, thank you Apple Maps!!) before heading the Wetherspoons around 100 yards from the hotel. A good few hours spent together by which time the whole group was together (Mark came straight from work) before the inevitable split between younger and elder members of the group. I headed off with the younger (Luke, Ciaran, Mike, Alfie & Al Cunningham) to Be at one bar for cocktails. 2 Long Island ice teas later and I tapped out around 1am. Reports suggested some came back much, much later.
Saturday morning came and a Wetherspoons breakfast didn’t help with the hangover for yours truly. Plans for the day were split between two groups going either to play badminton or go and watch a local non-league football club play a FA Cup Qualifying game. I opted to sleep the booze off at the hotel. Another evening of drinking laid before us, however prior to this, lining of the stomachs was required. So a trip to Wendy’s for me, Alaric, Mark, Rob & Matt before heading to a very “Alaric” type of pub called the hole in the wall. One drink in this very small establishment before a long walk around Brighton trying to find a suitable establishment gaining 3 Mitchell’s on route. Again a splitting of the group occurred with myself, Mark & Rob going off to a “normal” pub called Pump House, laughing at Chelsea fans as they watched there team draw 2-2 with Brentford. We then regained Alaric and Matt but lost Rob as he headed back to the hotel. The group then got closer to being fully reunited in a bar called the mesmerist with younger members of the touring party. A few of us realised it wasn’t our scene so another wander for Matt, Alaric and I came to a nice corner pub called William the Fourth where we eventually were reunited with Mark. From there, we ended up in, what for me what was the pub highlight of the weekend, Ye Old King & Queen. Not very long in there before last orders were called but a very nice pub none the less. A quick trot back to Wetherspoons before the bell rung there as well. So back to the hotel it was. Not as drunk as there was a chance of cricket to come!
Sunday came round and the sun was out. Breakfast in the hotel when the news came in. Waterlogged outfield means no cricket. Plans to keep the group together where put in place. Sixes at Sussex’s ground was the plan. No booking made due to prepayment being required. Plenty of spaces though so no bother, or so we thought. In the travelling time, all slots booked. So the bar next to the ground was the next staging ground for planning. Again the group split on plans. Some went to play pool. The rest back to the Ye Old King and Queen to watch Burnley v Liverpool. I was in the pub group. And there we stayed pretty much until curry time. Eventually being fully reunited with the pool players. A walk across from the pub to the restaurant (The Golden Peacock) certainly built up an appetite. Food was excellent, the service? Mixed. But company meant the overall experience was positive. Fines meeting was great banter. After this, goodbyes were said to Walshy & Mark as they headed for home. Everyone else headed for the Wetherspoons again as there was money left to be spent in the fines pot. 1 beer was all I could manage before saying my goodbyes and heading up to bed.
Breakfast in the hotel Monday morning before heading off. Considering how little cricket was played on this cricket tour, my first tour experience was brilliant. It proved that company makes all the difference. And it really showed how special a club like Eastwood is.
Roll on 2026 and all it brings for our amazing club!
Eastwood are massive, everywhere we go!!