From: 154 Autumn 2021
Author: Chris Cox
Due to covid rules being extended it was deemed safe to play the match on the green outside the pub. Sadly, Howard Crapper our Chairman was still stuck in St. Helena, so it was down to Chris Butterfield our secretary acting as Deputy Chairman to entertain the Sheriff.
After the inspection of Port Meadow by the Sheriff and Deputy Chairman of Oxford,, they duly turned up at The Plough for the annual Aunt Sally match, meeting up with fellow Freemen and Sheriff’s team. Tim from The Plough had managed to get the free beer at the last moment so everyone was happy. The Sheriff, Dick Wolff and Chris Cox for the Freemen chose their team members, and had team photos taken in front the doll. Chris reminded everyone that they could only be without their masks if they were seated as it was table service only. Due to the pub(covid) rules, no one was allowed to stand except the team member playing the game and sticker up and caller which also should wear masks. The Sheriff turned up with the Wolvercote Morris Dancers of which some of them would be in the team, and they would also be doing a turn entertaining the customers dancing.
Sheriff’s team setting 2 and the Freemen scoring 5, the second leg the Sheriff decided to set again and scored 2 with the Freemen scoring 8, the Sheriff the decided to let the Freemen set the third leg as some of his team were entertaining the customers (Morris dancing). The Freemen scored 12 and the Sheriff(Dick Wolff)’s team scored 5. Four Freemen tied for the trophies so had to have a play off.
The Sheriff and Chris Butterfield (standing in for our chairman, Howard Crapper) then presented the trophies. Chris accepted the Tankard for the Freemen winning the game. Sheriff then presented the coffin with the femur of the unknown freeman to Phil Clarke (highest Freeman scorer over 3 legs). The Norman Cox Memorial Shield to Chris Cox for the highest scoring Freeman in 1 leg. The Sheriff’s Shield went to Matt Ledbury for the highest scoring Sheriff’s team player.
Chris Cox X13
Steve Cox XX2
Phil Clarke 222
Dan Cox 1XX
David Cox X11
Trevor Cox XXX
Jason Phillips 231
Mick Phillips XXX
Pete Mazey X13
Total 5/8/12
Dick Wolff 1XX
Karen Wolff XXX
Jean Watson XXX
Ian Wheeler X1X
Monika Jurgens XX1
Duncan Drummond XX1
Andrew Adams X11
Julian Cooper XXX
Matt Ledbury 1X2
Total 2/2/5
Once again we thank Tim and his staff for getting the free beer and allowing the game to go ahead, and coping with us all.
We also thank the Sheriff, Dick Wolff and his team for turning up as well as all the Freemen.