The first Blades domestic tour for 17 years will be remembered for many reasons. It was the first under canvas thanks to Cinz’s glamping services, and every night saw a team campfire. Saturday morning’s breakfast in Seaford was welcome, even if the service was as erratic as that at The Ram on the previous night, and Saturday night’s aerobatic display was as spectacular as it was unexpected.
Sunday’s train journey and breakfast in Lewes was also a pleasure.
Glynde was a stunning location in a beautiful English village; its pavilion, two pitches and electronic scoreboard surrounded by green and pleasant hills and trees that matched if not exceeded the picturesque Ormes setting. The nearby Love Supreme festival made the traffic a nightmare and the train a sardine tin, but ensured a soundtrack wafted over the hills for both games.
But it will mainly be remembered for the splendid team spirit and performance of a Blades team clearly facing higher pedigree opponents but facing the challenge and only succumbing in each fixture by the narrowest of margins in the final over.
That same team spirit also meant that a last minute rallying cry for players saw Afzal and Moradi join on Sunday amid smiles, hugs and handshakes.
And not least, the frequent Withnail quotes – most notably “Alright here?” and “Are you the farmer?” will stay in the memory for a long time.
Bring on 2019 and another Tour.

Follow these links for reports on the SATURDAY and SUNDAY matches and for the official TOUR PICS

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