The first draft of fixtures for 2021 is here. More games to be announced. All dates subject to plague. Want a game? Say hello at paddingtonrabbits@gmail.com
The Greatest Day in the History of Sport.
Just a quick note to say how completely brilliant yesterday was. The wonderful Sports Team and Sea Girls visited us at The Paddington Rec for a cracking game of cricket in aid of the Music Venue Trust. There was sport, cake, crowds, the Rabbits media centre, celebrity interviews, high-grade summarising, live commentary, the Benny Hill Music, and, despite constant requests, absolutely no Sweet Caroline. Oh yes, and there was a mascot race.
In 30+ years toiling in the foothills of indie rock nothing (and I mean absolutely nothing) has lifted my spirits and filled me with more pride than the ecstatic chants of "Pad-dy! Pad-dy! Pad-dy!" from a rapt Rec crowd, as a cricket-pad wearing rabbit limped home well-beaten by an off-brand Cookie Monster with a pop star inside.
65 years ago, Sir Roger Bannister prepared for his four-minute mile at The Paddington Recreation Ground. Yesterday a new hero was born. I think Sir Rog would have approved of how his sport had evolved.
If you fancy joining or supporting the Rabbits. Please drop us a line on here, or come and say hi at the Rec. We practice on Thursday evenings and Sunday afternoons if we haven't got a game. Sometimes Tuesdays too. Everyone's welcome, whatever your age, ability, background or gender, we're the friendly weirdos in lane four, probably arguing about music.
Cheers!
(The Rabbits won btw, but charity and sport were the real winners)
SATURDAY 5 SEPTEMBER - Rabbits V Sports Team - Star-studded Charity Event.
This Saturday 5 September sees a star-studded, socially-distanced and thoroughly hygienic charity cricket match at The Paddington Recreation Ground in aid of the Music Venue Trust. https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/rabbitsvrice
Local underdogs The Paddington Rabbits, a cricket team made-up of musicians, industry veterans and born out of under-threat venue the Windmill in Brixton, take on a team of indie-rock all-stars led by Alex Rice of chart-topping band Sports Team.
Alex is promising an all-star line-up from bands and a few genuine ringers in his side.
He has sent through this photo and if these are his ringers we’re in real trouble.
The T20 match runs from 1pm – 5pm on Saturday and will be sponsored by Signature Brew. There will be music, giveaways and Paddy, the Paddington Rabbits’ lovable mascot, will be on hand to entertain / terrify younger cricket fans.
If you’re at The Rec, attendance is completely free, but we will be trying to raise funds for the Music Venue Trust, and their vital work in safe-guarding the future of the 400+ grassroots music venues in the UK that are at imminent risk of being permanently closed. We’d have arranged a charity concert, but you can’t do those (which is the whole problem) so you get cricket instead.
Alex has set up a Go Fund Me page for the event and any donations would be gratefully received: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/rabbitsvrice
Find out more about the work of the Music Venue Trust here: http://musicvenuetrust.com/
Find out more about the Paddington Rabbits here: www.paddingtonrabbits.com
Buy the new Sports Team album at your local independent record store or here: https://www.sportsteamband.com/
For more info email: paddingtonrabbits@gmail.com
BACK OUT OF THE HUTCH
Hi everyone, your Paddington Rabbits are back with a jam-packed fixture list of socially-distanced, totally hygienic, council-approved cricket. Come down, join up, get-a-game!
Read All About It
This week’s Ham and High (that’s the name of the paper, not a description of the Paddington Rabbits)
So, a lot of stuff has been happening over at the hutch in recent weeks. Stuff that culminated in a rare win for the Rabbits and our bumping Jose Mourinho off the front of the sports news!
Islington Lions v. Paddington Rabbits - Saturday 10 August at 1pm
It’s Rabbit v Lion in the Battle of the Beasts this Saturday, as your brave Paddington Rabbits take on the might of the Islington Lions at Wray Crescent Cricket Pitch in Finsbury Park. Come down and roar us on (or make some kind of rabbit noise). Crick-off is at 1pm.
Jonny Bairstow is out!
The Paddington Rabbits’ Cricket World Cup anthem ‘Jonny Bairstow’ (as heard on The Tailenders podcast) is out now! You can stream it and download it (pay what you want) over at https://paddingtonrabbits.bandcamp.com.
Many thanks to all that worked so hard on the record:
(Captain) Paul Hollingsworth
Mixed by Steve Cooper
Mastered by Doug Shearer
Written by Sam Fryer
Performed by Peter Mayhew, Will Doyle, Samuel Fryer, Eric Bustamante and Sarah Woolfenden on brass. Lyric video coming next week.
Go well Jonny Bairstow we still love you.
Forthcoming Fixtures
A few dates for your diaries Rabbit fans.
Saturday 20 July sees a return fixture against our great cricket mates Maida Vale Cricket Club at our shared home the Paddington Recreation Ground. Who will be Kings of the Rec?
Saturday 10 August is a tasty one. An away fixture against our fiercest rivals The Islington Lions. Who will emerge victorious in this battle of the beasts?
Saturday 17 August sees a trip up Parliament Hill to play the mighty Marauders who, I’m slightly afraid of TBH.
What a summer of sport!
Anyone wanting to play or watch is always welcome. Drop us a line at paddingtonrabbits@gmail.com and we’ll give you all the details.
Saturday 11 May - Paddington Rabbits v Maida Vale C.C.
It’s the first game of the season. The smell of cut grass, wood, linseed oil, new paint, finger sandwiches and fear lingers in the air as your brave Paddington Rabbits square up to the cricketing giants Maida Vale Cricket Club in a monumental Game of Throws (we are so dead).
The action takes place from 1230 at The Paddington Recreation Ground and spectator entrance is free (bring trainers you never know when we’re going to need extra fielders) with celebratory drinks afterwards in the Elgin bar and diner opposite Maida Vale tube.
See you there!
End of Season Nets - Sunday 21 October 2.00pm
Our end-of-season Nets session will be this Sunday 21 of October at the Paddington Recreation Ground. Practice is completely free and starts at 2pm. Drinks will take place at dusk in the Elgin pub opposite Maida Vale tube.
Come on down, it would be great to see as many of you as possible.