Kevin Bond

[Branton Rover]

FairPlay to Bondy he said we thoroughly deserved the win and although they weren't happy with Rangers performance he didn't want to dwell on that as it would detract from how well Rovers played.
We rarely get such praise from opposing management which I think is refreshing, thanks Kev

[BobG]

Ye Gods! Is he still around?!

BobG

[redwine]

Like us all, Bob, like us all   

[BobG]

HA ha ha ha!!

Cheers Wine

Bob

[redwine]

Well, we all have good days and bad, Bob.

BTW, how's Alex doing, we might need him in Adelaide

[BobG]

He played in the nets for 3 hours this afternoon Wine. Two coaches, both good ones too, came up to me, separately, and said "Just watch him Bob. Just watch!" The current Gloucestershire Under 12 opening bat was there (i.e. Alex's age group). And Alex was so much better than him it was embarrassing. When he's right Alex is downright bloody awesome. One of the coaches even suggested that if he carries on improving at the rate he is, and he steers clear of booze, fags and girls, he could be good enough for England one day. Don't know about that, but Christ he was good today. And you know what? He thinks of himself as a bowler! He's not too shabby at that either. Already bowling at almost 60 mph. I overheard a current South African professional, who coached his bowling last summer, say to Alex "You're a freak of nature you are Alex".  He was bowling inswingers, outswingers, yorkers and short of a length balls on command - and all at somewhere between 50 and 60 mph. I haven't been able to face him with any confidence of surviving for 18 months now.

Fingers crossed. I keep dreaming about Ian Botham. Lol. He's got the build for it too

BobG

PS He (and I obviously) have been sounded out about him taking part in a schoolboy tour to South Africa sometime in the next 12-18 months. Jammy sod... I'll end up being a hanger on after my own son!)

[redwine]

He sounds a great prospect, Bob. Fingers crossed he keeps developing.

[donny dave]

He played in the nets for 3 hours this afternoon Wine. Two coaches, both good ones too, came up to me, separately, and said "Just watch him Bob. Just watch!" The current Gloucestershire Under 12 opening bat was there (i.e. Alex's age group). And Alex was so much better than him it was embarrassing. When he's right Alex is downright bloody awesome. One of the coaches even suggested that if he carries on improving at the rate he is, and he steers clear of booze, fags and girls, he could be good enough for England one day. Don't know about that, but Christ he was good today. And you know what? He thinks of himself as a bowler! He's not too shabby at that either. Already bowling at almost 60 mph. I overheard a current South African professional, who coached his bowling last summer, say to Alex "You're a freak of nature you are Alex".  He was bowling inswingers, outswingers, yorkers and short of a length balls on command - and all at somewhere between 50 and 60 mph. I haven't been able to face him with any confidence of surviving for 18 months now.

Fingers crossed. I keep dreaming about Ian Botham. Lol. He's got the build for it too

BobG

PS He (and I obviously) have been sounded out about him taking part in a schoolboy tour to South Africa sometime in the next 12-18 months. Jammy sod... I'll end up being a hanger on after my own son!)

In a year or two's time can we look forward to him being presented on the pitch then as an England player perhaps Bob.
Does he follow the Rovers?

[BobG]

Hi Dave

One of the enduring sadnesses of my life is that, at quite an early age, Alex to sodding Arsenal. I took him to Derby for that first game, I took him to Exeter, Woking and plenty of places in between. In his bloody push chair too for a while. I bought him the full red and white hoops kit for that first match at Derby County. But his best mate at school another seriously talented cricketer, has a Dad who is Arsenal mad, so the lad Harvey is as well. And Alex bloody copied him. I still try, but to be honest, he's not all that fussed about footy altogether. It's cricket he watches, talks about, dreams about. And I'm not going to argue with that.

Went to the nets again this afternoon. Fine for half an hour, but then he started saying 'Ouch!'. Dropped his bat a few times too. Same thing happened a couple of weeks ago. ended up taking him to A&E. They think it's some sort of repetitive strain injury. Oh deep joy. He's got the County winter nets starting on Jan 5th. And as he can't bowl yet because of his back, he could be pretty handicapped! Bugger.

BobG