We'll go a welkin with Ivo and Co

All right, we’re talking the Portsmouth Friendly League here. But we did have to cross the water to play those pesky mainland sides and the sledging could be just as fierce.

I’ll admit my ignorance now. I didn’t have a clue about who this Bligh bloke was – what exactly does the eighth Earl of Darnley do?

Now suitably genned up on the old fella, I understand what the fuss is all about.

Bligh skippered the first touring party to Australia in 1882 to compete for the newly-cremated Ashes and duly won the series 2-1. Though it didn’t pass without controversy even then after a fourth unofficial Test was won by the home side.

As a tribute, Ivo’s name is now proudly inscribed on the side of the precious little urn. That glorious tour is remembered forever – in one of the worst sporting poems you will ever read.

The verse name-checks some of the star names of that side, the Studds, Steels, Reads and Tylecotes; not forgetting Barlow and Bates. And when they go back with the urn, “the welkin will ring loud, the great crowd will feel proud”.

Doesn’t it make you feel wonderful to be English!

So let battle commence this evening. And should all go to plan, this Ivo Bligh old boy will be welkin with the best of them.

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