He that soweth his seedes must harowe the grounde by and by, for els the byrdes wyll eate it awaye.
J. Palsgrave, Lesclarcissement 579/2
Match Facts
Date: Sunday, November 3, 2024
Location: Johnny Mullagh Oval, Harrow, VIC
Time: 1pm start
So what’s Harrow all about then?
With Rev focussing on the physical history of Harrow in the Match Preview, I will start with a journey of etymology. While the definition of harrow in the sense of using a harrow ’to crush, plow or pulverise the soil’ is familiar to all, there are some surprisingly gruesome alternatives.
“Th’ impatient Rider..With galling Spurs harrows his mangled Sides.”
William Somervile, The chace: a poem, 1st edition, 1735 (1 vol.).
An interesting early example of a precursor the current usage of a harrowing experience.
Most concerning was discovering that mid 18th century it meant to castrate!
‘He wants to harrow him [a horse] this spring.’
The trial of James Stewart in Aucharn in Duror of Appin, for the murder of Colin Campbell of Glenure
1st edition, 1753 (1 vol.).
As we all know Stewart was convicted of Colin Campbell’s murder unanimously: ‘guilty, art and part’. Thankfully the towns naming can likely be attributed to its agricultural heritage, as the experience was calming. An obvious set up for a lost balls joke was lost when we didn’t lose any.
We did gain The Gelder to the team post tour, so not all was lost in this department (thankfully also relevant to Fargo’s procreative capacities).
Bait and switch
Having read about the small size of the town (‘90 people between 60km hour signs’), I was shocked to arrive at the pub at 7pm on Saturday with all tables outside filled, and the hubbub of the MCG on boxing day.
There were also a significant number of cricket uniforms for the Pigoen Ponds Cricket Club, most filled with young, broad, country lads whom emanated insouciant talent and agricultural skills. As the night wore on some barbs were cast from the ever merrier table of PPCC players. Their designated captain for the next day (tbc: name forgotten) insisted he was a newbie to the game, and was actually a tennis player by heritage.
Fears were slightly allayed when we also confirmed that the lovely bar lady was going to play along with her two kids (insert ominous tones in background here…..). In classic Quokkas form, a large cohort headed to bed at a reasonable hour, while Oscar and I (TBC) held up the bar until close, then continued with the chefs (having turned 126 covers - a new record) through until 2am or so. Oscar continued his “solid food only after midnight” diet, and I believe stayed up to stream the All Blacks on their European tour. The blessings of youth! I on the other hand just made too much noise and kept ex YPCA president Dre awake and stewing, then I came to bed and started snoring, leaving him searching for respite in the car, and failing to sleep most of the night. Welcome back from retirement friend!!!
Coming up: “The big show”, “pigeons and mullets”, “the stoicism of youth”, “caravans by the river”, “a cliffhanger”
The Big Show
The morning was glorious, clear skies, singing birds, a comprehensive continental breakfast, and excellent coffee and B+E rolls available at the general store next door.
Pitch inspection revealed a classic matting over concrete arrangement, and the picket fence was only limited by the fact that it was portable and stacked on pallets as opposed to assembled. We agreed that full assembly was a bit rich, so established a gateway for players to enter the field of play. As we started to set up the ground, families staying at the riverside caravan park next door started to set up their deck chairs and enjoyed a solid day of bourbon and coke cans, children on bicycles, lazy cricket appreciation, and enthusastic attendance at the pub post game. It was definitely the main show in town, with a steady stream of cars stopping by to watch a few overs (including the local constabulary), and a good 20 to 30 attendees surplus to team numbers throughout the day.
Suzanne, the charismatic, eccentric, generous, and somewhat harried proprietor of the Hermitage Hotel had suggested she would donate a case and an esky to the cause. After explaining that consumption during the day was planned, she rustled up the esky, bags of ice, and then most of the stray cases they had in the coll room. Thanks Suzanne and the Hermy!!!!
(tbc)