A Proud Mum Moment!

Can you see my gleaming smile from wherever you are? It's not the sun it's me, beaming!

Do you remember this post from ages ago (2012)? And then further disappointment when Number 1 son was once again overlooked for County selection. My nerves were in tatters as he decided to trial once again during the winter of 2013; he'd trialled for the County team since he was 9 years old and failed to make it every year despite his younger brother being selected. There are lots of aspects to selection it seems, not all of them based on your ability, if you get my drift! 

It can be very elitist and so, so unfair at times.

Anyway in this Autumn of 2013 I was able, at last, to write this post and we were all over the moon at the tenacity and talent of our biggest boy. As he's a man of few words and is very laid back his reaction was a little tame but I'm guessing he went to bed with a very cheesy grin that night.

Well yesterday was his debut for the County Under 19 team, to say I was nervous doesn't come anywhere near to describing how I felt, I was nearly reduced to tears before we got into the car! It was a long trip to Woodall Spa in Lincolnshire for an early start. We left home, all of us, at 7am and I panicked all the way that we would break down/get stuck behind a lorry/tractor of which there are hundreds on the road to Lincolnshire or just generally be late!

Number 1 son hid his feelings well but I'm sure he had a few butterflies in his tummy. 

Norfolk fielded first which meant he was under a little less pressure, he didn't have too much to do as he wasn't selected to bowl.

Fielding in the background

Then after tea it was Norfolk's turn to bat, The Builder whispered to me that Number 1 may be an opener - which means he'd be in the first pair of batsmen to take to the field. I had palpitations at this point, as Number 1 exited the pavilion he looked over to us and said "I'm having 1" very confidently. I didn't know what he meant, was he aiming to get only 1 run? Apparently he was very confident in his ability and asked to face the first ball of the innings which means no time to settle into the crease
 (middle of the pitch, where they run) - and that he was batsman number 1
 (how appropriate that his name is Number 1 too ;-))

 Listen to me gone all crickety!!

To say I was a bundle of nerves doesn't come close, I was hot, red, shaky and terrified.
But he hit it and scored 4 runs as it went to the boundary (edge of the pitch).

Oh my goodness did I clap, and relax ever so slightly! I had worried so much as this season, for his club, he's faced some terrific bowling and got out for 3 ducks (0).

And guess what happened next, I can't quite believe I'm typing this (and as I write it I'm welling up a bit) he batted right through to the end of the match, scoring a total of 81 runs, he didn't get out and was the highest run scorer!

Could you hear us cheering?

Being clapped off the pitch by team mates and opposition

I so want to say to the selectors "Look what you've been missing over the years" but I won't!

So sorry to be a cricket bore, it 's not something you'll see often! We've had a lot of stresses over the past few weeks (which are set to continue and put a dampener on the Summer hols for a few more weeks yet) but nothing, and I mean NOTHING will put a dampener on this!

He has worked so hard at his cricket and tried his best every year, for so many years he absolutely deserves it - his debut couldn't have gone better and we are so very proud of him!

I'll be back with the next bit of the Liebster Award post very soon, have a great weekend!

x