nee Captains knock.
A phrase that once upon a time in PPCC circles could only mean that John Millichope
had once again rescued a hapless Park middle order collapse from doom. In the
late 90's and early 2000's the expression has become forever associated with the exploits of
Northern star Darran Fowdy. Darran missed the coach back up North after Sunderlands
1973 Cup Final appearance and decided to settle in South East London. Claiming Chubby Brown and Lawrie McMenemy,
as direct forebears Daz has won his way into the hearts of the Park faithful with numerous displays
of red faced pugnacity and (ahem) Northern grit. Of season 2003, the phrase
has been tried on for size by such fresh faced pretenders as Craig Partridge
and Paul Thompson, but strangely has resolutely refused to become associated
with fracture clinic junkie Tim Gannon.
nee Old Reliable, nee Safe Pair of Hands
Few things in life are certain. Even fewer things in cricket are certain (except perhaps an extended run in the
England side if you play for Surrey and your Dad's called Mickey). And in Prospect Park cricket circles, the only thing that's certain is that Dave Weston is going to
creep up behind you as you're making your way out of downtown Eltham demanding your subs and lottery money. But, when
the balls been skied 2 miles in the air by an opposition batsman built like Jeff Capes and is dropping like an exocet
into long on, who do you want under it ? (and its a gimme that you can't choose Ricky Ponting here). Yes, its Simon
Ewin. Si can be relied on to drag his ailing knees half the length of the pitch, dive and clasp the ball firmly to
his manly (if disturbingly hairy) chest, as if he'd been tossed a bag of sweets by the Captain of the 'tossing a bag
of sweets gently team' of Henley College for Young Ladies. Not once a season, not twice a season, but virtually every
game he plays. Unfortunately Simon has somewhat tarnished his standing in PPCC circles by adopting the role of
apprentice subs collector in The Dark Prince's absence, with the vigour of the Witch Finder General.