Madrid was this years destination for the end of season tour. No sooner had the plane got in the sky the crys of “YES MONTY” could be heard ringing round the plane. Did Madrid know what it had let itself in for??
We arrive in the spanish capital around lunch time on the friday and immediately started our strict warm up routine to prepare us for whatever Madrid were willing to throw at us in the morning. Local food and beverages were sampled to ensure optimum energy levels were reached. Madrid is a beautiful city and made all the better for the site of a random goat and a fat spiderman. The key thing was to ensure we all relaxed and that “Freddie” and “KP” made it through intact to the morning.
Saturday morning arrived and after a good few hours of sleep the team awoke ready and refreshed for the mornings game. We arrived at the ground at 9:30 sadly to find that our hosts were not so prompt. It was a real shame that after all the effort Ian Robinson had gone to to organise the tour, our host only showed up with 4 players. Madrid CC are also desperate for a ground of their own, currently using the Universities rugby pitch with a artificial cricket mat laying on top. It was not ideal! The 4 guys who turned up looked after us and we managed a 8 a side 20/20 on the first day. It was hoped that the following day, Madrid would be able to field a team and we would be able to enjoy a good game. We retired to a nearby food and beverage establishment to start the preperations for the following day, and to sort out a breakout of “Trench Foot”
This was my first tour with HAMCC and it was really good to see the friendships and bonds within the team. Touring certainly helped to build an excellent team spirit to take us in to the 2010 season. Tour also seems to be the best place to develop nicknames for team members and many were developed in Madrid. Im sure we will hear cries of Mandleson, Wan, Mini Mont, Freddie, KP and I dare say a few others. I would like to point out however any reference to myself and fat spiderman will not go down well 
Our hotel was also an interesting place. It was partly refurbished and very modern. So modern in fact that glass was used in many a random place and room mates were able to enjoy each others “Private Moments” should they be looking in the direction of the bathroom.
Back to the preperations for the cricket. With our younger squad members still working on our Anglo American relationships, and discussing the benefits of being on time in moments of world crisis, the more seasoned of us were able to soak up what the tapas bars had to offer while enjoying a street festival which we can only guess was organised in our honour. Had these thousands of people come to see our “Famous” Cricket team? We can only guess.
Sunday morning, and again after a good sleep, we all found ourselves at Madrid CC for a Twenty Twenty. This time at least they had 7 players, and more on the way so Madrid were put in to bat while the rest of their team turned up. Madrid managed 124 off their twenty overs, the run chase was on. After 2 overs, Pick and Mandleson had blasted away to over 30 runs and cries of “Dos Seis Nick” could be heard as Mandleson hit his second career 6. But then the pitch came in to play with completely unpredictable bounce. Wickets tumbled, most notably, Freddie going for his customary duck. Contributions from KP and the fat spiderman dwarfer moved us on to 123 for 9 with an over to go. Up stepped Mr Trafford who cool and calmly slotted the ball away to hit the winning runs. Rural english villages of around 400 people 1, Capital City of Spain with millions of residents 0. It was an excellent result and much enjoyed by all. The celebrations started.
Eight of the team went to a bull fight. All eight of us thought pretty much the same thing of the bull fight! We all wondered if this was the cream of bull fighting we were seeing or the Blue Square North of bull fighting. Do some people get a season ticket for this? Even spanish Danny De Vito didnt look too impressed and he knew what all the noise was about.
We returned to the centre to warm down and cries of “Captains Round” could be heard from all party members. We celebrated in style!
Overall a fantastic tour and a fantastic experience for all involved. These are memories you take with you all through your life. When your Right arm over turns to right arm under, you will be able to look back and remember the cricket tour years.
