2011 match archivePeper Harow
Saturday April 16 at Peper Harow
Strollers lost by 37 runs
Peper Harow 132
(Crocker 3-16, Allsopp 3-31, Turnbull 2-15, Sam Brodbeck 1-0, Dorrans 1-15)
Strollers 95
(Howard 38, Dorrans 13)
Kelvin O’Halloran last played for the Strollers in 2006. He reappeared at Peper Harow, on leave from the Wide Bay Water Corporation in far away Queensland, only to find little had changed: the opposition were allowed to get too many runs and the Strollers batting disintegrated in alarming fashion.
On a beautiful spring day in Peper Harow Park, in the shadow of the mansion constructed by Sir William Chambers in 1765, the home side struggled to 132. That was almost entirely due to 63 from Berridge, who thumped the ball high and handsome. He was also dropped at least three times along the way. Laurie Allsopp tweaked out three victims and former fielder of the year Warren Crocker claimed three.
At 8-3, the Strollers reply did not look in good shape but skipper Patrick Howard clubbed 38 before he drilled the ball to mid-on and O’Halloran fell just when he seemed to be rediscovering past glories. Debutant Paul Dorrans – another itinerant Kiwi – having bowled with promising pace, blotted his copybook by running out chairman Kimball Bailey. Not a good career move.
Allsopp stood firm but the Strollers subsided to 95 all out. To the O’Halloran family – Andrea, seven-year-old Caitlin and Siobhan, aged two – it must have seemed all too familiar: a beautiful day, glorious surroundings, convivial company and a display on the field that left something to be desired. Ah well, come back again, say in 2016, and we will try and do better…
Capt and wkt: Patrick Howard. Match fees: Warren Crocker.
Great Missenden
Sunday April 17 at Great Missenden
Strollers won by nine runs
Strollers 179-6 dec
(Timperley 88, Hodgson 54)
Great Missenden Pelicans 170
(Wood 5-41, Hodgson 2-13, Crocker 2-30, Dorrans 1-36)
The first Sunday game of the year is a time for remembrance as much as anticipation: what have you forgotten - shoes, trousers, that you are down to play at all, let alone the minor matters of how to bat, bowl and field.
Still, none of it matters when the weather is like the first week of June ought to be: blue skies, leaves on the tree and a warm, gentle breeze. And so the Strollers turned up, some earlier than others but all eventually, at Great Missenden to play the Pelicans and record their first victory of the season.
The first weekend, however, could have recorded an 0-2 start oh-too-easily as the Pelicans kept a tight bowling line and backed up with strong fielding to leave the Strollers on a respectable 179-6. James Mawson and Hamish McDougall were out early playing (or not playing) shots that were more suitable for mid-June than April. James Timperley (88) was in beautiful touch and so the third wicket provided the backbone of the innings with a partnership of 129. At the other end, Jim Hodgson (54) was fortunate to be reprieved by two keeping errors and a near run-out but otherwise played some cracking shots that bodes well for his season.
There were cameos from newcomer Paul Dorrans, fresh from a Kiwi season, Warren Crocker and John Low. An unfortunate duck from Jeff Ball and a vehement refusal to bat from Tom Wood saw us home to tea at 4pm.
A brisk start by Crocker with the new ball snapped up two wickets. He was ably supported by Dorrans at the other end, but one opener hung around playing some nice shots and the game was well poised after 10 overs. At 20, the pendulum had swung to the Pelicans as the No 4 took on Laurie Allsopp's spin and cleared the shortish leg boundary enough times to race towards 50. That he made the half-ton was due to a reprieve on the boundary.
Allsopp's replacement, the slightly hungover Wood, made inroads as he found a wide corridor of uncertainty with the opposition and worked his way towards a five-for. At the other end, Hodgson also found a good line before two turning points returned the match to a tense finish. First, the No 4 bat played on to his stumps and the opener was finally out to an lbw, both off Wood. Then the new bat promptly hit a few sixes.
This made it close but with a trickle of wickets it came down to 10 needed off the final over and a wicket in hand. Hodgson's leg-stump yorker had the final say. Perfect.
Capt: James Timperley. Wkt: Hamish McDougall. Match fees: Tom Wood.
Braywood
Sunday April 24 at Fifield
Strollers lost by one wicket
Strollers 153
(Crocker 37, While 34, Walder 27, Timperley 27)
Braywood 155-9
(Brodbeck 4-23, Walder 2-32, Wood 2-32, Winstanley 1-20)
Braywood were cruising along at 60-0 in pursuit of a meagre 154. The delights of a sunlit spring day with the soothing sight of grazing polo ponies in the adjacent field began to fade. Embarrassing defeat loomed.
Then the sleeping giant that is Tom Wood changed the course of events. He took two wickets in two balls – one courtesy of a brilliant bottom-edge catch taken standing up by keeper Hamish McDougall. Then Aaron Walder, that other somnambulant giant, took two himself and suddenly the day looked sunny again.
From 60-0 Braywood fell to 124-9 thanks to a good spell by Simon Brodbeck (8-2-23-4) - which owed its success to another fine catch by McDougall and a neat legside stumping - a tight operation from Dennis Cave (4-2-7-0) and a first Strollers wicket by debutant Sam Winstanley (who was another thanking the wicketkeeper, this time for a brilliant running and diving effort to hold on to a steepling top edge).
At 124-9 in strode Jay Jeyarnah, notable for his Sri Lanka A sweater and a more than useful analysis of 5.4-2-9-4 when the Strollers batted. He did not look like a No 11 – and so it proved. With 21 not out he took Braywood to a nail-biting victory which even caught the rapt attention of the WAGs sun-bathing in the far corner of the ground.
That the Strollers reached the giddy heights of 153 was entirely due to a fine stand of 49 between Warren Crocker (37) and Walder (27) which rescued the innings from 82-6. Earlier James While (34) and skipper James Timperley (27) had found the going tough against a demanding attack.
A plastic Easter egg bucket was found to provide Oonagh with a water bowl. So she was happy. And so were the Strollers: honourable defeat had been plucked from the jaws of ignominy. It was a great game. Just a pity about the result.
Capt: James Timperley. Wkt: Hamish McDougall. Match fees: Tom Wood.
Maidenhead and Bray
Sunday May 1 at Bray
Strollers lost by five wickets
Strollers 172-8
(40 overs; Mawson 47, Ramnarayan 40no, Gallagher 33, Hodgson 18)
Bray 174-5
(31.2 overs; Gallagher 2-33, Hodgson 1-28, Macaulay 1-29, Crocker 1-38)
At tea, some of the Maidenhead and Bray players were discussing Barney Gibson, who last week became the youngest first class cricketer. The 15-year-old Yorkshireman certainly provided some inspiration to the home side, whose youngsters gave a skilful and mature performance with bat and ball to send the Strollers to their fourth defeat in five.
Batting first on a perfect pitch and quick outfield, the Strollers lost wickets too regularly to build the partnerships that could have taken them over 200. Peter Patston and Tom Wood both fell quickly, although Patston had got off the mark first ball with a fine clip off his pads to deep square leg. Then Jim Hodgson was bowled for 18 just as he and opener James Mawson looked like they could score some decent runs.
Skipper Mike Morgan joined Mawson for an energetic partnership that included two all-run fours in one over (leaving both batsmen gasping for a brief time-out, much to the disgust of Bray’s experienced opening bowler) before Morgan was judged to be lbw. He thought the decision may have been a tad harsh. We will say no more.
This brought Ed Gallagher to the crease, with girlfriend Vanessa watching him for the first time. Rolling up his sleeves and cocking his helmet to a jaunty angle, he took the innings by scruff of the neck after Mawson was out for 47, finding the ropes with shots all around the wicket. Abhi Ramnarayan joined him, and their efforts led to some optimistic recalibration of the score. Gallagher fell for 33, a good catch at mid-on, and Ramnarayan pushed on to 40 not out with some impressive hitting, but 172-8 still felt a bit light.
Gallagher tested the speed guns for the first time this season with an initial spell that included the scalp of one of the Bray openers, but a big second wicket partnership left the Strollers chasing the game. And most of the time, the ball.
Leading the way for Bray was one of their youngsters, wicketkeeper and opener King, who scored 81. Leading the way for the Strollers was Buster Morgan, whose exuberance was crucial in twice fishing out the ball when it was lost in a hedge. With the wind getting rather chilly, a few Strollers wished he could have been on the field. One for the selectors?
The Strollers did pick up a few more wickets, via Alastair Macaulay, Hodgson (who was unlucky not to have more) and Warren Crocker, but when Gallagher finally bowled King, Bray were within touching distance and hit the target with five wickets and eight overs to spare.
Capt and wkt: Mike Morgan. Match fees: Tom Wood.
Odney
Monday May 2 at The Odney Club
Strollers lost by six wickets
Strollers 185-7 dec
(McDougall 86, Morgan 25, Wood 15, Turner 11)
Odney 186-4
(Brodbeck 2-42, Cave 1-22, Wood 1-77)
The ball was pulled behind square towards the distant boundary rope. Dennis Cave set off in pursuit. John Turner, hopping on one leg because of a tweaked hamstring, offered his somewhat limited assistance. Chairman Kimball Bailey lent a hand too. Wicketkeeper Hamish McDougall, despairing of ever receiving a return back at the stumps, took the executive decision to chase the ball as well. And thus only four runs were conceded, in answer to a cry seldom heard on a cricket field: “Save the five…”
This bizarre scenario somehow summed up the Strollers’ brave and quirky performance against Odney.
Not well endowed with batting, they were rescued by the determined McDougall, who battled through against a fine opening bowling attack to play some expansive shots in his splendid 86. Skipper Mike Morgan (25), rediscovering his best form, kept him company in a rousing stand of 107 which was notable for its good running between the wickets – which elicited some welcome overthrows – and its occasionally appalling calling which had the good fortune not to end in disaster.
Turner laid about him and Alastair Macaulay swung the bat to good effect before the declaration came at a respectable 185-7.
Not well endowed with bowling, the attack did its limited best. Simon Brodbeck had a decent spell and Cave took an early wicket. But opener Rob Dickie, one of the Odney youngsters – there were three father-and-son combinations in their side – took charge and blasted his way to a fine century. He was fittingly joined at the crease by his Dad for the winning runs.
The high spot came when a hit to leg just cleared Cave at square leg, who was still in the process of putting his sweater back on and oblivious that the ball was on its way past him.
So with thin resources a decent game was had. And then the company adjourned to The Odney Club itself – the staff social club for the employees of the John Lewis partnership. This is housed in Lullebrooke Manor, once rented by Colonel Ricardo, a well known Cookham resident in the early 1900s, who was supposed to have been Kenneth Grahame's inspiration for Toad in the Wind in the Willows.
The Strollers upheld the Odney dress code in colourful fashion. Jackets were worn and the skipper modelled his linen suit with a panache which would have been approved by Jim Hodgson and Brian Taylor, those acknowledged masters of the sartorial arts.
The Strollers’ own Mr Toad – Tom Wood – declared the day to have been a great success: hospitable and friendly opponents on an immaculate ground in a perfect setting.
Mole summed it up well back in 1908: “I feel as if I had been through something very exciting and rather terrible, and it was just over; and yet nothing particular has happened.” Kenneth Grahame was obviously a Stroller at heart.
Capt: Mike Morgan. Wkt: Hamish McDougall. Match fees: Tom Wood.
Jordans Taverners
Saturday May 7 at Seer Green
Strollers lost by 102 runs
Jordans 165-8
(40 overs; Crocker 2-20, Wood 2-38, Brodbeck 2-39, Low 1-6)
Strollers 63
(Mawson 15, Brodbeck 12no, Crocker 11)
Who would have thought, as last man Ivor Fiala strode to the wicket with a little matter of 108 required for victory in just 11 overs, that the Strollers would snatch an astonishing victory from the jaws of a calamitous defeat?
Well, to be honest, no-one would have thought it. And they would have been right.
The story really begins in the stressful week before the game when Jeff Ball had to pull out of the Saturday and Sunday games because of work demands and Brendan Russell was taken to his sick bed, thus leaving nine players for Saturday and 10 for Sunday.
And so the search began. Frantic emails disappeared into the ether begging for eager volunteers to step forward. The silence was deafening. Gaurav Gupta and the long-lost Ben Mangham flickered briefly into the frame…and out of it.
Then Ball discovered that perhaps he could play after all. And Fiala, dragged painfully from his course of treatment in the dentist’s chair, announced that he could be persuaded to make his 497th appearance if needs must.
The game itself failed to live up to the pre-match drama. Jordans Taverners batted first and Paul Dorrans (8-4-15-0) kept them buttoned down in a fine opening spell. But the pressure eased and the Taverners’ big hitter took their total to a highly testing 165-8. Ball compensated for causing all the selectorial problems by claiming a fine run-out plus a brilliant catch in the slips and another at deep midwicket.
The Strollers' reply was best viewed from behind a sofa as they limped to a derisory 63 all out and a 102-run defeat.
The good news came as Peterborough’s 5-0 demolition of Dagenham and Notts County’s fighting 1-1 draw with runaway leaders Brighton meant that County were safe in League One to celebrate their 150th anniversary in 2012.
That was the only bright spot of the day. When the company adjourned to the Not-So-Jolly Cricketers, the day plumbed new depths when the management had to confess that supplies of orange squash had run out.
But the Taverners offered their usual convivial hospitality, just as they have for the past 30 years in the always enjoyable games between the two teams. Mr Taverners – Robin Yolland – was there to preside over proceedings despite being a limping spectator because of a dodgy back. Bob Biffa, another veteran of Taverners history, has now retired from playing but made a recording of events from the boundary rope complete with commentary. The Strollers will not be purchasing any DVDs of this horror show.
Capt and match fees: Tom Wood.
Wkt: Warren Crocker and Abi Ramnarayan.
Mynthurst
Sunday May 8 at Leigh
Match drawn
Strollers 264-1 declared
(McDougall 136, Mawson 83no, Timperley 19no)
Mynthurst 74-8
(Calvocoressi 3-11, Turnbull 2-10, Macaulay 2-11, Hodgson 1-13)
The Strollers stopped the rot at picturesque Mynthurst but were defied a long-needed win by a last-wicket stand. The four-match losing streak came to an end as the home team hung on for the last 10 overs.
In contrast to the last couple of matches the Strollers team had a relatively youthful look about it. Alastair Macaulay ruefully pointed out that he was the oldest member of the team as the average age plummeted to the 40 mark. We also welcomed George Calvocoressi as a debutant.
Mike Morgan won the toss and chose to bat first as usual. Hamish McDougall and James Mawson were untroubled on a pitch of variable bounce and reached 50 off the first 10 overs. Hamish continued his excellent form from the previous week and had much of the early strike. Both he and James were particularly was harsh on anything short. He reached 50 after an hour and was outscoring Mawson by two to one. He reached 100 and Mawson 50 in the same over. An under-strength Mynthurst plugged away and chased the ball to all parts but still the runs piled on. In the pavilion questions started to be asked about record partnerships but 267 (posted by Stuart McKenzie and Evan Samuel against Hurley on 07/07/96) is a tall order. The scoring accelerated as a declaration/tea approached and Hamish was eventually caught and bowled by Souter for 136. The opening partnership was a magnificent 239.
James Timperley had sat in the pavilion for nearly two and a half hours and went in for the final two overs to cries of "play for your average!".He faced six balls and scored 19, ignoring notices about hitting balls into the next field, which was out of bounds. A new ball had to be introduced. Mawson came off with a splendid 83 not out as the Strollers finished on 264-1, which was probably too many in the context of the game to keep the opposition interested in a run chase.
Mike Morgan had pulled an intercostal muscle the previous day playing for Hailsham CC (sponsored by Drain Center (sic)) and so McDougall returned to the pavilion dripping in sweat only for the skipper to inform him that he was also keeping wicket - just to keep him involved. The muscle pull did not prevent the skipper from bowling, however.
After a very good tea, the Strollers set about taking the nine wickets required for victory (due to injury, one Mynthurst player could not bat). Dave Turnbull bowled with aggression and quickly had one of the openers caught by Timperley in the gully. Skipper Holland came in and, as he had scored a ton against us in our only previous fixture, was targeted as the wicket we needed. He swung aggressively but was soon bowled by Turnbull. Calvocoressi replaced Turnbull, got an lbw decision with his second ball, a wicket in his next over and a wicket in his fourth, finishing with 3-11. It's easy this game.
Wickets fell quickly and Mynthurst were 35-6 facing defeat. Macaulay came on and after bowling a couple of wides as sighters, found his line and bowled one through the gate and lured another to stumping doom.
So, last man in and 10 overs to go. Surely no problem. However left-hander Smith and chairman Burridge are stalwarts of the club and have presumably been in this position many times before. Whatever the Strollers offered from Macaulay, Morgan, Jim Hodgson (who bowled five consecutive maidens) and Tom Wood was to no avail. They were repelled by top quality stonewalling from the Brodbeck/Fiala school of defiance. Burridge held out for 32 dot balls for 0 while Smith did hit the odd wayward delivery for four to finish on 30 not out. In the end it was handshakes all round and disappointment for the Strollers.
Mynthurst extended their excellent hospitality to the Plough in Leigh where roast pork burgers and chips were laid on and Hamish provided a couple of jugs of Sussex Ale to wash it down.
Capt: Mike Morgan. Wkt: Hamish McDougall. Match fees: Tom Wood.
Match report: Alastair Macaulay. Kit packing: James Mawson.
Kit transport (pre-match): Tom Wood. Kit transport (post-match): Tom Wood.
Roehampton
Sunday May 15 in Putney
Strollers won by nine wickets
Roehampton 211
(Samuel 4-44, Wood 2-4, Hodgson 2-21, Crocker 1-32, Brodbeck 1-49)
Strollers 215-1
(Wood 117no, Jones 63no)
Over the winter months Roehampton cricket club have invested a little under £20,000 on completely relaying the playing service at the “Putney Oval”. As the scores in this encounter demonstrate, no longer were batsmen in physical danger from balls on a good length, and while the odd one still keeps low, the investment was well justified, and the track is maturing into a lovely batting track.
This information was not known to the Strollers at the outset of the game however, and skipper Tom Wood was clearly keen to field first to allow the home side to illustrate how best to cope with the track, an aim which he achieved at the toss.
Upon their arrival at the ground the team looked around to see which fellow Strollers were joining them for this encounter, and were pleased to see a strong side made up of wicket-takers and record-breakers, wise old heads and youthful vitality. However, upon taking to the field to await Roehampton’s opening batsmen it became patently obvious that the team was missing one crucial aspect. Without a McDougall, a Morgan, or even a Howard, who was going to keep wicket?
The obvious choice was Warren Crocker, but since he was needed to take the new ball, a reluctant Aaron Walder stepped forward as the only viable option with the requisite knees and eyesight. Crocker and Jim Hodgson took the new ball and, despite some accurate bowling, a very short boundary and two attacking South African opening batsmen allowed Roehampton to accumulate runs.
Hodgson struck first just as the openers were beginning to look set, taking the first wicket of the innings with an lbw. Number 3 came in and continued in the same attacking vein, until Hodgson induced the edge and Walder showed he was picking the balls to actually catch very carefully. The celebrations clearly marked Walder’s part-time status as well as Hodgson’s talent with the new ball. Crocker joined in on the act with an lbw of his own, and the momentum switched back to the Strollers at 35-3. However Roehampton dug in and began a steady rebuilding process.
Simon Brodbeck replaced Hodgson (2-21) and despite his usual metronomic accuracy the short boundary allowed the runs to flow freely. At the other end, Crocker ended with figures of 1-32 and a somewhat mahogany Evan Samuel turned his arm over for the first time since last season and bowled as if he had been netting all winter. Even with the short boundary his unwavering line and length made him difficult to get away.
The batsmen began to steadily increase the run rate, but just shy of a hundred partnership Samuel struck for the first time with some assistance from Peter Patston, who took an excellent catch at mid-on off a ball that was travelling at a rate of knots above head height. There was some mutterings about his eyes being closed, but such an experienced cricketer relies on instinct, and the force is strong with Peter. In the next over Brodbeck skilfully positioned the field and induced a false shot from the dangerous Bushill who holed out to a good catch from Max Jones on 48. Two new batsmen at the crease and the momentum was back with the Strollers.
Walder swapped gloves and pads with Crocker, and replaced Brodbeck after seven overs (1-49), however his short spell was put to the sword. At the other end Samuel kept things tight, taking another wicket courtesy of Jones’s second catch, before obtaining a wicket with an lbw decision which was overturned on review by those fielding Strollers who acted as a third umpire. The batsman had, it transpired, hit the cover off before it cannoned into his pads but this was unheard by his umpiring counterpart or the bowler. His second life did not last long, however, as Samuel had him caught by Wood several balls later.
Wood replaced the shell-shocked Walder and took two wickets with his first two balls. The first, Walder’s second catch, a one-handed effort without the protection of gloves on this occasion, and then the second, a steepling effort hung on to by Jones for his third catch, had skipper Wood wondering what had been wrong with his bowlers; this was an easy game.
Samuel brought the innings to an end in the next over, clean bowling Roehampton’s number 11 and ended up with figures of 10.2-2-44-4, which was a fine effort in the circumstances. Apart from a couple of slip-ups, the Strollers fielded excellently, with great effort and commitment being shown by Jazzy Jeff Ball, Laurie Allsopp and marathon man James Mawson in particular.
Still, Roehampton had accumulated 211 in 38.2 overs and although there was plenty of time to get the runs, steady batting would be needed to remain in contention. An excellent tea was enjoyed by all, and then Wood and Mawson made their way to the middle to begin the run chase. The Roehampton opening bowlers bowled accurately and with pace, eventually pressuring Mawson to play a rash shot resulting in him losing his off stump. However, Wood remained unfazed and quietly continued to accumulate runs. He was joined by Jones, resplendent with new willow and excellent tried and tested cover drive.
Between them they knocked off the runs with 11 overs to spare. Wood became increasingly aggressive, brutalising 117 runs off the same number of balls and carrying his bat. Jones ended on 63 not out off only a few more balls. Both were excellent and did not give a chance, it was a truly professional performance.
After the game, Walder held court, explaining to anyone who would listen that 12 byes was not too bad, and that obviously an injury picked up while ‘keeping had affected his bowling. Wood and Jones sat back and relaxed, clearly having let their cricket do the talking. The opposition were convivial and graceful in defeat, rightly proud of the work they had done during the winter. The post-match analysis continued into the night at the curry house with Mr Chairman and Madame President in residence.
Capt and match fees: Tom Wood. Wkt: Aaron Walder and Warren Crocker.
The Times
Saturday May 21 at The Griffin Club
Strollers won by seven wickets
The Times 149
(Crocker 3-35, Mangham 2-12, Macaulay 2-33, Brodbeck 2-35, Cave 1-27)
Strollers 150-3
(Shattock 47, Mawson 45, Cullen 30no, Ball 18no)
Ben Mangham last played for the Strollers at Hurley on September 22, 2002. Having registered the underwhelming figures of 10-1-49-0, with his feats inscribed in green pencil in the scorebook – he always insisted on it, says Maggie – he wandered off to play league cricket with Oxshott.
Then along came a family – Keeley gave birth to Ripley just a month ago, as a companion for four-year-old Blaise. With a young family, it’s obviously time to play cricket again.
And so the Strollers welcomed him back at The Griffin Club after an absence of eight seasons as he attempted to add to career figures of 56 appearances with 90 wickets at 16.01. He was soon back in the groove, taking 2-12 as The Times were kept in check, being dismissed for 149. That was mainly due to a fine tight spell by Paul Dorrans and skipper Warren Crocker, who seemed to be involved in almost everything, taking 3-35 (including two in two balls) and keeping wicket as well (but not quite at the same time).
The Times' effort was underpinned by Navin Meemeduma, who struck some fine blows in his 58 before being deceived by the infamous Crocker slower ball.
The Strollers’ reply was launched by James Mawson, after John Low had departed early. Mike Shattock strode in at No3 with strict instructions from his eight-year-old son Josh to “Get more than eight.” (see Editor’s note)
Shattock obliged in great style, driving, pulling and cutting his way to a splendid 47 – “He should have got three more” was Josh’s crushing verdict – as they put on 74 for the second wicket.
Neil Cullen (30 not out) came in to take the Strollers over the line with the help of a rampaging Jeff Ball (18 not out) and a good win was duly completed.
Terry Delaney, the groundsman and manager of The Griffin, has now retired after many years’ service, but the club looked a picture on a glorious summer’s day. The perfect location for location manager Ben Mangham to make his very welcome return to the Strollers colours.
Capt and wkt: Warren Crocker. Wkt: Neil Cullen.
Match fees: Simon Brodbeck.
*Editor’s note: Josh’s curious call of “Make more than eight” was thought by commentators to refer to his Dad’s score last time he played against The Times. Or it may have been a reference to his own age. “Sadly,” confessed Mike, “I may have outscored Josh’s age, but I was not able to score more runs than my own age.”
Farley Hill
Sunday May 22 at Farley Hill
Strollers won by four wickets
Farley Hill 215-7 dec
(Wood 2-53, Brodbeck 2-63, Morgan 1-16, McDougall 1-24, Gallagher 1-49)
Strollers 216-5
(McDougall 117no, Wood 25, Brodbeck 22no, Morgan 12)
The beautiful Farley Hill Cricket Club is situated inside a forest and the Strollers were struggling to see the wood from the trees at the start of play. One had dropped out at the last minute due to illness. Another two were yet to arrive. The club’s premier batsman was in Tennessee researching the local public transport system. The opposition appeared young, enthusiastic and skilful. It was a pessimistic Strollers eight who lost the toss and fielded first.
So low were the bowling stocks that Hamish McDougall was given the new ball. He and Ed Gallagher winkled out an opener each but largely failed to make inroads. The Strollers, soon numbering 10 thanks to the arrival of Ivor Fiala and Indy Dephu, stuck to their task in the field despite chasing a lot of leather and spending a fair bit of time hunting for balls amongst the bracken and pine cones.
Simon Brodbeck and Tom Wood took a couple of wickets each and newly moob-less Jeff Ball utilised the familiar jazz hands in taking two excellent catches on the boundary. Peter Patston stoically battled on after collecting a fiercely hit drive on the noggin. Captain Mike Morgan bowled a tidy spell of leg spin at the death, having handed the gloves to McDougall, who picked up a stumping.
At tea Farley Hill declared on a well made 215-5 – a challenging total for the 10-man Strollers.
Openers Wood and McDougall started at a gallop, bringing up 50 in just 25 minutes. Wood looked in good form but was out for 25, bowled playing across a full ball. Morgan scored 12, before being given out lbw. He raised a quizzical eyebrow at the umpire as he wandered off.
Gallagher, Ball and Patston played valuable partnerships with McDougall, whose hitting kept the Strollers up with the required run rate; however, at 145-5 and a run a ball required, the game was in the balance.
The padded-up Fiala and John Gibson prowled the boundary nervously as Brodbeck came into bat. They needn’t have worried, with the senior campaigner using all his experience to score 22 not out and finish the game with a firmly hit straight boundary and an over to spare.
McDougall finished 117 not out, a second consecutive century, and left to prepare a spreadsheet to calculate his Timperley-esque season average. As the sun set over the distant trees the pessimism felt earlier in the day was washed away in the warm glow of victory and a jug or two of ale.
Capt and wkt: Mike Morgan. Wkt: Hamish McDougall.
Match fees: Tom Wood.
Berkhamsted
Sunday May 29 at Berkhamsted
Strollers won by five wickets
Berkhamsted 150-9
(40 overs; Salvesen 3-26, Addis 3-28, Walder 2-34, Chasseaud 1-16)
Strollers 152-5
(32.4 overs; Chasseaud 49no, Boyle 42, Addis 32no)
Rarely has a captain experienced such a turnaround in emotions during the course of a game. At roughly quarter past two, with Berkhamsted looking shaky at 16-3, Tom Wood asked Jeff Ball to think about turning his arm over. Barely three hours later, with the fifth Strollers wicket having fallen and the score still 90 runs from the target, he was reduced to pacing nervously and keeping his fingers crossed.
He need not have worried. The sixth wicket pair of Jono Addis and Toby Chasseaud, who after a late call-up was making a Strollers comeback nine years after his only appearance, batted cautiously at on a pitch that contained a rather tricky escarpment, before accelerating to hit the required 152 with seven overs to spare.
Wood had lost the toss and Berkhamsted batted, leaving the Strollers captain with an immediate conundrum, as Tom Salvesen was stuck in a traffic jam on the M1. Wood looked at his options, and threw the ball to Aaron Walder, seduced by the natty go-faster stripes on his boots.
The Walder-Addis opening combination made short work of the top order. Addis celebrated his new British visa with two wickets in two balls, before the Berkhamsted opener, Andre Machon, along with skipper Ian Putman, put down anchor, using the sloping outfield to good effect and giving Laurie Allsopp a good work-out on the lower boundary.
Chasseaud came on to bowl a tight spell of left-arm spin (8-2-16-1) but Berkhamsted managed to start building up a total, with no joy for Simon Brodbeck and Allsopp as the batsmen were happy to accumulate and rotate the strike. Then Salvesen arrived. Almost straight away he got a delivery to lift sharply, and as the batsman lifted his foot out of his crease for half a second Hamish McDougall took the ball somewhere near shoulder height and managed to complete the stumping.
Salvesen then took his second and third wickets, finishing the day on 101 for the club.
The captaincy committee decided to bring back Walder (8-0-34-2) a few overs before the end, and were rewarded with a fine running catch from Chasseaud at deep square leg. Addis also took his third (8-2-28-3) but one of the Berkhamsted youngsters gave it a late wallop to take the score to 151-9.
After tea, Wood was joined by Dan Boyle who decided, to put it simply, that he wanted to get on with it. Boyle raced to 42, which included four fours in one over, but at the other end a worrying collapse was unfolding. Wood went for one, then double-centurion McDougall and Ball were sent back for ducks. With the score on 57-3, Boyle was the only batsman to contribute more than one run. His wicket fell shortly afterwards, then Brian Taylor departed for six with the score on 69.
Chasseaud and Addis, though, were unmovable, with neither offering a chance and Jono getting in some timely batting practice with 32 not out before Pinkney’s Green next week. Chasseaud hit 16 from the last over, unfortunately coming up one short of what would have been a nicely deserved 50.
So the Strollers avoided a Sri Lanka-like collapse and made it four wins in a row. Berkhamsted, meanwhile, staged a splendid afternoon’s cricket in a very pretty setting, and all decided it would be a good thing to come back next year.
Capt and match fees: Tom Wood. Wkt: Hamish McDougall.
Thames Valley
Thursday June 2 at Sunbury
Strollers lost by 25 runs
Thames Valley 134-5
(20 overs; Candlish 1-13, Wood 1-15, Blyth 1-18, Timperley 1-22)
Strollers 109-8
(20 overs; Ramnarayan 25no, Wood 22, Candlish 14, Gibson 12no, Allsopp 11, Ransome 10)
A glorious sunny evening and immediate success for the Strollers as Alex
Blyth snaffled Aaron Walder at square leg first ball off the bowling of Matt Ransome. Unfortunately an arrangement had been made between the captains not to allow first-ball wickets, and Walder went on to make a stylish 31.
Debutant Mark Candlish bowled tightly and finished with 4-1-13-1, bowling Henry Edmondson. Tom Wood also bowled tightly and took a wicket, and Ransome looked dangerous, but Walder (31no), Mike Chipps (35no) and Bygrave (27no) all retired, with Chipps hitting James Timperley for three consecutive fours. A couple of late wickets from Blyth and Timperley, plus a run out, left the Strollers chasing a competitive total.
The first few balls were dispatched with aggression, but the Strollers had not planned for the intervention of Inzaman-ul-Wood. First Christian Troughton was run out for three, then Timperley was the victim of a “yes, no, sorry” incident for six. Both saw the funny side. Jeff Ball was bowled for one before Wood completed a hat-trick by running himself out for what was otherwise a good 22.
Candlish and Abi Ramnarayan restored order, but Mark was bowled by a Walder googly for 14. John Gibson inched further and further to the leg side at the return of opening quick bowler Manish, but survived and indeed struck out to finish on 12no, avoiding the cunning legside trap.
Blyth was stumped off Walder first ball, thus repaying the compliment, but was stumped again an over later. Ransome was also stumped first ball off Walder before hitting freely. Laurie Allsopp struck some fine shots but became Walder’s fourth victim (six if you count the two first -ball stumpings) and it was left to Ivor Fiala to join Gibson and hit four sixes off the last four balls to win. He didn’t.
There was tea, there was beer and there was continued sunshine. Cricket was, as usual, the only winner and there is a rematch in three weeks’ time.
Captain: James Timperley. Wkt: Abi Ramnarayan.
Match Fees: Tom Wood.
The Bounders
Saturday June 4 at Dunsfold
Strollers lost by 143 runs
Bounders 207-7
(35 overs; Mangham 3-24, Crocker 1-35, Turnbull 1-21, Macaulay 1-51)
Strollers 64
(Ball 23no, Crocker 13)
The sun shone, the ground was lovely and Ben Mangham bowled quite well. It is traditional to look for the positives in defeat and this was the best that the pub post-mortem could muster. The Strollers were fundamentally outplayed by a strong Bounders side in Dunsfold.
The format was 35 overs and Bounders won the toss and elected to bat first on a warm day. The openers got off to a solid start, reaching 44 without loss after 10 overs. Warren Crocker and Dave Turnbull toiled away but the first wicket came from a run-out. The ball trickled down leg off the pads, the non-striker called for a quick single, captain James Timperley pounced from first slip and his direct throw ran the batsman out at the bowler’s end.
Turnbull picked up another wicket and was replaced by Mangham, who then bowled a tidy spell picking up three wickets. After 28 overs Bounders were on 144-5 and the Strollers were still in the game. It became clear that the Bounders batted all the way down and were starting to swing at everything. Alastair Macaulay bowled one and had three others dropped. In mitigation the two that Timperley spilled were hit very hard and you can't fault his field placing. The dropped chances proved expensive as the last five overs went for 50; 207 always looked a tall order and so it proved.
After a good tea Turnbull and John Low opened the batting needing six an over. The opening bowlers were difficult to get away, though. Turnbull managed a boundary and then edged one to the keeper. Timperley chipped to mid-off and the Strollers were struggling at 15-4 off nine overs. Spencer Pollard bowled particularly well and his figures of 7-6-2-2 tells that story. At the other end A. Isles took 3-12. The Bounders had the game in the bag after 10 overs and eased off. Wickets continued to fall, however, with only Jeff Ball really cashing in on the loose deliveries. Brendan Russell hit his first two balls for four and was bowled by the third and Macaulay was out first ball. Ball finished on 23 not out as the Strollers were all out for a paltry 64, which was rather more than it looked earlier.
Our hosts generously bought the beers in The Sun afterwards as the Strollers tried to steer the conversation away from the subject of cricket.
Capt: James Timperley. Wkt: Chris Locke. Match fees: Jeff Ball.
Pinkneys Green
Sunday June 5 at Pinkneys Green
Match abandoned
Strollers 366-4
(40 overs; Addis 201, McDougall 65, Saley 49)
Pinkneys Green 54-7
(14 overs; Dorrans 2-9, Hodgson 2-4, Cave 2-20, Brodbeck 1-16)
Sachin Tendulkar may average 221 at the Sydney Cricket Ground, but that statistic pales into insignificance in comparison to the astonishing average of 412 that Jono Addis now has after just two games at Pinkneys Green. To witness a fellow Stroller score a double century once is pretty special, but to witness the same person hit another, against the same unfortunate opposition, is truly unbelievable.
The game started in a relatively normal way. A 40-over contest was agreed between the captains; skipper Mike Morgan won the toss and elected to bat first. The in-form Hamish McDougall was asked to open the innings, and Addis was selected to partner him. A few humorous comments were heard emanating from the lips of those present last year, things about lightning striking twice, but the openers made their way into the middle on an overcast day looking to get the Strollers off to a good start.
The opposition had a little more experience than last year, and the opening bowlers clearly knew a thing or two about line and length. Even so, the openers pounced on anything slightly off target and after 10 overs the strollers were in the 60s without the loss of a wicket. The home team rotated their bowlers, eventually using eight, but none could stem the run rate and both openers reached their half-centuries before 16 overs had been bowled. Young seamer Hendry looked a particularly good prospect for the future, but a lack of support in the field meant that even he could not reduce the flow of runs.
Just when both openers were looking like posting very large individual scores, McDougall lost concentration for a millisecond and nicked a short ball from Pinkneys’ spinner to the keeper. The opening partnership was 172 in 25 overs, and McDougall headed back to the pavilion with 65 runs to his name.
Strollers debutant Mo Saley then had to break off his banter with Jazz Hands Ball (who looks nothing like Graeme Swann in my opinion) to show his skills with the bat. By this time, Addis was seeing the ball like a football and dispatching the bowling to all parts. The left-handed Saley played a good supporting role, showing incredible pace between the wicket to ensure Addis kept as much of the strike as possible and turning many ones into twos to further demoralise the Pinkneys fielding outfit.
Addis’s hundred came and went and despite nearly every fielder being on the boundary, his timing was such that he was able to surgically bisect them with balls being hit like tracer bullets. He moved from 150 to 180 in two overs, and scored his double century in the 33rd over. Only one chance was given in that time, with deep midwicket tipping a still rising rocket of a shot over the bar for six, to the mutterings of “would have been a good catch” and “did well to get a hand to it” from the onlookers. Finally a yorker from young Hendry made it through the defences, but by that time the damage was done. Addis left the pitch to a standing ovation having scored 201. He and Saley had put on 148 in 14 overs and the score was 320.
Saley moved to a more attacking role with Gaurav Gupta at the other end. The effects of chasing leather all afternoon were beginning to show their effects and one of Pinkneys’ fielders had to hobble off with a knee injury. With Saley now scoring freely, an extremely large Strollers total was looking certain, but Pinkneys showed good determination to pull things back a little. Firstly, Saley top-edged a pull and a steepling catch was taken at mid-wicket by Pinkneys’ substitute fielder, none other than Simon Brodbeck. Saley made 49 and is a promising recruit. The next ball Gupta was bowled, both wickets going to Hendry who finished with the very impressive figures (in the circumstances ) of 8-0-42-3. Jeff Ball and Jim Hodgson played out the final overs, but neither had time to fully get their eye in, so they were relatively sedate. The Strollers finished on 366-4 which, at a run rate of 9.15 per over, is the highest total ever posted by the club. An imperious performance.
During the excellent tea the weather took a turn for the worse, but with a few extra jumpers the Strollers took to the field. Dennis Cave and Paul Dorrans opened the bowling and soon both were in the wickets. Pinkneys lost their first two wickets without scoring, Cave’s metronomic line and length claiming an lbw and then disturbing the bails. The first runs were an edge through the slips from Dorrans, who was generating plenty of pace despite the wet conditions. He then hit the stumps twice himself, by which time the rain was falling steadily, ending with figures of 2-9, all the runs coming through the slips. Both bowled very tightly, although Cave (2-20) was penalised by some very exacting umpiring and rigorous interpretation of the wide law.
Hodgson replaced Cave and also got into the wickets with an excellent stumping by McDougall, as well as a caught and bowled. Brodbeck came on at the other end, and both did very well to exercise any control over the bar of soap they were bowling with, as the rain got still heavier. Brodbeck also claimed a victim, before young Hendry showed that his promise extends to batting and hit a couple of boundaries. The Strollers manfully continued in the terrible weather, determined to see the game through (not least because of the effort Pinkneys put into their time in the field) but after 14 overs the groundsman quite reasonably declared that the pitch was beginning to get dangerously damaged and brought the game to a premature close.
Pinkneys were 57-7 at that point. A quick glance on the internet shows that their Duckworth/Lewis target after 14 overs with seven wickets down would have been 286. It was a good team performance, but the outstanding contribution of Addis made it a memorable day. The opposition were kind hosts as ever, and complimentary of our performance. They were also unnecessarily apologetic about the fact that the game had to be abandoned. Jono was good enough to furnish both teams with beer, while the conversation moved on to James Timperley’s inability to choose the right games to be available for.
Capt: Mike Morgan. Wkt: Hamish McDougall. Match fees: Dennis Cave.
Parrys Whippets
Thursday June 9 at Chiswick House
Strollers won by eight wickets
Parrys Whippets 99-6
(20 overs; Miller 2-17, While 1-3, Ransome 1-7, Wood 1-19)
Strollers 105-2
(17.1 overs; Addis 46no, While 23no, Troughton 18, Boyle 12)
Chiswick House, neo-classical Palladian masterpiece and one-time home of the Burlington family, played host to this fixture, but would the Strollers’ performance match the splendour of the surroundings? Skipper Tom Wood was not sure, mainly because his crack squad of galacticos looked so good on paper.
He lost the toss and threw the ball to Steve Thavam, who bowled a steady line and length at Warwick, about whom James While had some info: Warwick was in the Wombles and appeared on Top of the Pops in the mid-Seventies. While opened at the other end with parsimonious figures of 4-2-3-1.
The Whippets were glad to see off the opening bowlers but if they thought that would bring some relief, they were mistaken as on came debutant Mark Miller, upping the pace and tearing into the line-up with a couple of quick victims. Sam Winstanley toiled, Matt Ransome made sure that the innings never really gathered momentum, and Wood picked up Thomas (who had just hit him for a big six) with a grunting effort ball. Generous comparisons to Maria Sharapova were made.
The Strollers fielded well with Ransome running out the struggling Tobermory (or Orinoco? While couldn’t be sure). There was some sterling keeping from Andy Clarke and heroic work from Danny Boyle, Miller and John Gibson. A total of 99-6 after 20 overs looked a bit short, but the kit was in Brighton and Boyle had to borrow Wood’s.
In fading light, Boyle and Jono Addis got the Strollers off to a good start and put on 20 in quick time but Boyle struggled to get Wood’s heavy railway sleeper down on a fast shooter and was out, bowled for a rapid 12.
Christian Troughton came in and played steadily, especially off the back foot, carrying the Strollers along at the required rate, but then he went, caught and bowled for 18. Any optimism the Whippets may have felt at Troughton’s demise was short-lived as While joined Addis and they began to knock it around with confidence. While said later that the bowling had been some of the best that he’d faced in these games, but the target was not enough; with the scores level at the beginning of the 18th over, he struck a six over long-on and stranded his run machine partner on 46 not out.
The Strollers had won, which was a relief as it was one of the best on paper sides Wood had ever seen. Wood and Winstanley joined a few of the oppo in the City Barge for a post-mortem and some lager.
Capt and match fees: Tom Wood. Wkt: Andy Clarke.
Kit and scorebook: Brighton.
Kempsford
Saturday June 18 at Kempsford
Strollers won by nine wickets
Kempsford 73
(Brodbeck 4-7, Wood 3-27, Crocker 1-16, Hodgson 1-16)
Strollers 77-1
(Timperley 36no, McDougall 27no)
The Strollers’ good form began at the Patstons’ traditional pre-Cotswolds tour dinner in Bath.
Maggie baked what was universally acclaimed to be the world’s tastiest pie, complete with FSSCC emblazoned in puff pastry. Then Jim Hodgson, overcoming his FOMO (fear of missing out) retired to bed by an unprecedentedly early 5am. His place on the living room couch was swiftly taken by wife Sally, seeking refuge from the snoring.
Peter Patston only got as far as playing the 'B' section in his record collection. This meant that despite a full exploration of the works of the Beach Boys and David Bowie, there was no Dylan to be heard in Bloomfield Road that evening, the first time in many a long year.
With such preparation, it was a high-spirited Strollers XI who rolled into a pretty but rather damp Kempsford to start their Cotswolds 2011 tour.
Skipper James Timperley soured the mood by winning the toss and choosing to field, which prompted much grumpiness. Sensing a mutiny, the captain gave the new ball to Warren Crocker and Tom Wood, who had avoided the previous evening’s Patston hospitality. They exploited the tricky pitch conditions well, picking up four wickets between them.
Hodgson, fresh as a daisy thanks to three hours’ sleep, took a spectacular full-length diving catch. He then went through a miserly bowling spell yielding 16 runs and one wicket from nine overs.
Chairman Kimball Bailey completed a remarkable run out. In laying a typically sonorous and perfectly formed (if incorrectly placed) long barrier to a firmly hit shot to mid-on, the ball clipped his ankle and sped off towards the boundary. The batsmen, sensing some runs, hared off for two only to see Bailey clamber after the errant ball, pick-up, turn and aim a laser-like throw to the bowler’s end, where Hodgson removed the bails with the batsman stranded mid-pitch. The chairman was heartily congratulated on such a masterly piece of misfielding.
Simon Brodbeck mopped up the tail expertly with 4-7 off eight overs and the Strollers found themselves in an early winning position, chasing only 74 for victory, albeit on a wicket made challenging by the morning's rain.
Oonagh attacked a fellow canine during the tea break, maintaining a long-standing tour tradition. Patrick Howard maintained another by striking a couple of meaty blows before edging onto his stumps for eight. This left Timperley (36*) and Hamish McDougall (27*) to watchfully see out the win just in time to avoid another rain shower, and the players retired happily to the adjacent pub.
The players and DWAGONS (dads, wives and girlfriends or nieces), some of whom were still feeling a little ill, then embarked for the appropriately named Green Dragon Hotel in the heart of Jilly Cooper country. The evening was rounded off with some superb food, wine, port and cheese (the latter of which had its nose cut, much to the chagrin of monsieur Wood.) Most of the team followed McDougall's example of a midnight curfew.
Halfway through the Tour and all seemed to be going well. In that marvellous philosophical metaphor for life, the Strollers were in possession of a wheelbarrow. The question remained: Would the wheel fall off?
Capt: James Timperley. Wkt: Hamish McDougall.
Buscot Park
Sunday June 19 at Buscot Park
Strollers won by 26 runs
Strollers 171-9
(40 overs; Wood 75, McDougall 18, Crocker 16no, Ball 14, Howard 11, Taylor 10)
Buscot Park 145
(37.1 overs; Macaulay 4-39, Wood 2-21, Timperley 1-7, Hodgson 1-13, Crocker 1-15)
Buscot Park CC’s ground nestles within a Cotswold walled estate and is found down a tree-lined avenue. There is a thatched-roof pavilion and the ground was bathed in dappled sunlight. It is a lovely addition to the fixture list.
The pre-match sizing up of the opposition revealed that they were a team of youth and vigour. Unable to match that, the Strollers would offer the advantages of age - gnarled experience and low cunning.
Unlike the previous day, the Wise Heads in huddled groups counselled the advantages of inserting the opposition: the wet pitch would flatten out on drying, we would have first use of the new ball, we won yesterday batting second, and fielding first would blow away the cobwebs….and so it was that James Timperley won the toss and chose to bat. What a difference a day makes.
Early wickets supported the Wise Heads’ contention. Against a lively opening attack Patrick Howard fell grooving his pull shot, the skipper played on and Hamish McDougall mistimed a pull shot when spin was introduced. Under Tom Wood’s sensitive encouragement, Brian Taylor sped to 10 out of a partnership of 40 before giving way to a hungry Jeff Ball, released from Saturday duties of keeping Oonagh away from other dogs, and keen to get stuck in (Jeff into a game of cricket, Oonagh into passing dogs).
Three fours, including a lashed square drive (Simon Brodbeck’s choice for shot of the day) advanced the scoring rate and brought Wood out of his shell. Pulling and driving with equal facility he moved on to 50 off 56 balls in 76 minutes. Strollers and Strollettes (not forgetting Del and Maria), alike enthused at the sight of rampant Wood; some hadn’t seen wood like that for many a long day. Aided by Warren Crocker’s dashing 16 not out (whose running with Alastair Macaulay was a sight for sore eyes), the Strollers’ total of 171 was deemed to be a good score by the Wise Heads, who never doubted the skipper’s decision to bat first.
After an excellent tea, the Strollers took the field and, despite an early wicket for Jim Hodgson, were obliged to watch the young men of Buscot make good progress on a now flat wicket towards victory. The left-handed Will Oglesby batted well, taking the attack to the Strollers, especially with his legside shots. Hodgson, however, was just about keeping the Strollers in the game, with a spell of 8-3-13-1 deserving, like yesterday, of more than one wicket.
Nothing was going to hand especially for Crocker, who strained manfully to take what would have been two excellent catches. The captain turned to himself in order to keep a check on the scoring following Hodgson’s spell. Nevertheless, there was an air of lethargy in the fielding side when drinks were taken, with Buscot needing 90 from the remaining 20 overs and only one wicket down. Was the wheel falling off the wheelbarrow?
It was a brilliant catch from Hodgson off the captain’s bowling which removed the dangerous Oglesby and opened up the match. Now was the moment when Macaulay was unleashed. Eyes lighting up to the challenge and opportunity of Buscot’s young men, Macaulay proceeded to tease and torment the promising but callow batsmen. The fielding side sensed victory was possible. Wood was introduced to the attack. Aided by three catches for the captain and a smart run out by Howard (eschewing the simpler option of a catch), wickets started to tumble.
However, just when victory, amazingly, seemed assured, a final flurry of runs from Buscot’s two young Afghan players threatened to halt the Strollers’ charge. It fell to Crocker to gain a deserved wicket and bring victory to the old brigade which featured star man Macaulay’s 7-1-39-4.
Our opponents were gracious in defeat. We all looked forward to a repeat match next year, although it was observed that Buscot’s promising young players will be a tougher proposition for being a year older whereas the reverse will apply for the Strollers.
Hadn’t the captain done well. And the wheelbarrow? Wheel intact, it’s a bit creaky, wobbly at times, but with careful maintenance, still serviceable. Just like so many of the Strollers themselves.
Capt: James Timperley. Wkt: Hamish McDougall.
Thames Valley
Thursday June 22 at Sunbury
Strollers won by seven runs
Strollers 120-7
(20 overs; Troughton 29no, Pennystan 28no, Candlish 23, Matthews 16)
Thames Valley 113-9
(20 overs; Robinson 3-9, Mattews 3-20)
There was absolutely no chance we would play. Rain of biblical proportions fell in south-west London. The TV coverage showed swans swimming contentedly around the Wimbledon archipelago, though the glass ceiling (named after Tim Henman) was protecting Centre Court.
“I think it’s brightening up”, said Graham Doggett, the Thames Valley skipper. And we had faith. And ten men, Abhinav Ramnarayan having fallen down some stairs at the tube station. Get better soon.
And sure enough, the sun was shining, the pitch was drying under a bracing breeze, and the game kicked off at 6.05, Tom Wood winning the toss and electing to bat. Christian Troughton, in what may his last innings before Polly produces again, smashed a quickfire 29 (including some fine shots off the menacing Iain Doggett) and retired. John Gibson fell to Clive Germany’s cunning offside delivery legside trap and was caught by one of several square legs. Steve Robinson was bowled by Graham Doggett, whose four overs went for only eight runs. Mark Candlish, elegant and composed, was on the verge of retirement before playing over a straight one to give Germany a second wicket.
Debutant Ken Matthews, sadly unlikely to be a Strollers regular from his home in Newcastle, started aggressively, taking a particular liking to David Laing with one six being particularly memorable. His driving is like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi, for he driveth furiously (2 Kings 9). With Richard “You should wear a box under your cassock. I don’t wear one. What, a box? No, a cassock” Pennystan at the other end, the score moved above 100. Then Matthews hit Laing to one of many deep long-ons, and Simper, bowling from out of the red tree, had Wood and Andy Clarke within three balls.
Kimball Bailey came out to join Pennystan for the last over from which 11 runs were scored to bring us to a respectable total. The chairman was not called upon to face a ball, though the first ball of the over looked for a while as if there might be a “Paul Dorrans” moment. The Reverend Richard, who had looked stylish from the beginning, played some beautiful shots to finish on a fine 28 not out.
A rapid turnaround and Wood turned to Robinson to bowl out of the red tree. The tactic worked, with Graham Doggett bowled and Cox caught by Candlish in the deep in his first over. Laurie Allsopp bowled tightly (three overs for six runs) but Robinson took a third wicket (Peter Walder to a good catch). At this stage the low sun was making fielding difficult, as were Mike Chipps, Iain Doggett and Ciaran Lewis. Chipps was run out by a sharp throw from Robinson, and the other two retired, having taken more of a liking to Wood and Candlish. Richard “Why isn’t he available on Sundays?” Pennystan bowled a beautiful spell, the ball moving in a mysterious way, and was unlucky not to take a wicket.
Matthews made up for it. He bowled the dangerous Simper as Thames Valley edged closer to their target. The running between the wickets became – well, more than enthusiastic, as Garry Edwards was left stranded. Matthews bowled Mark Doggett and Germany strolled up the wicket to give him a third wicket from a sharp stumping by Clarke. Well to be fair it didn’t need to be that sharp…
But by now Iain Doggett had returned, and Laing selflessly allowed himself to be run out to give Doggett the strike. Lewis joined Doggett and Thames Valley needed 17 off the last over. Cometh the hour, cometh the man. Wood took the ball. First ball – a wide. “Never doubted him for a moment”, came a supportive voice from mid-wicket. But it was controlled enough, and the Strollers continued their fine fielding display to strangle the lads at the end.
And to think we could so easily not have played. Cricket was undoubtedly the only winner. A splendid tea and the sun continued to shine on the post-match analysis. Thanks guys….
Capt and match fees: Tom Wood. Wkt: Andy Clarke. Kit: Colliers Wood.
Chobham
Sunday June 26 at Chobham
Strollers won by four wickets
Chobham 148
(33.2 overs; Robinson 3-12, Ovenden 2-14, Cave 2-42, Addis 1-15, Brodbeck 1-23, Hodgson 1-41)
Strollers 152-6
(36 overs; Morgan 27, Jones 26, Ovenden 24no, Clarke 20, Robinson 17)
It was definitely a day to bat first and Captain Mike Morgan’s hangdog expression when returning to the dressing room after the toss told the Strollers that would not be our fate. He had, he was quick to point out, lost the toss but never a stranger to controversy also confessed that he had been considering putting us in the field anyway; he would have been lucky to get out of Chobham alive.
So the Strollers made their way to the middle on what really was a superb day for cricket. Baking hot with shade to be found nowhere and with the ground surrounded by neighbouring fields and a couple of churches…if you closed your eyes and felt the strong sun on your face you could have been forgiven for thinking we were in the West Indies.
A few of us had seen the recent documentary on the rise of Windies cricket in the late 70s into an irresistible force that dominated the world game for a decade and for those of us that had, “Fire in Babylon” was very much in our minds. Never more so than in Jim Hodgson’s case.
Taking the new ball as our Holding to Steve Robinson’s Marshall he steamed down the hill oozing raw aggression but, if it’s possible, was too pumped up and the searing pace on the ball caused it to regularly disappear to the boundary at the hands of Davids, the opposition’s very capable pro. The South African had taken 26 from 14 balls before being clean bowled by Robinson with a deliberate slower ball bouncer which beat him all ends up and wickets began to fall at regular intervals as Chobham bought into our theme of Calypso cricket by attacking every ball.
Robinson picked up two more, one an unplayable off-cutter that took leg stump, Jono Addis chipped in with another clean bowled, Dennis Cave, who had been working himself into a frenzy at fine leg after being denied use of the new ball, snared two in an over and Simon Brodbeck bowled a very tight spell without luck but got the wicket he deserved thanks to a smart stumping from the captain.
It was left to debutant Piers Ovenden to wrap things up with his first Strollers victims, one courtesy of a nonchalant slip catch from Peter Patston who pouched the ball without even disturbing the ash on the end of his cigar. Chobham were all out for 148, having used just 31 of their 40 overs.
After a fine tea our crack opening partnership of Addis and Max Jones strode to the middle and made a good start on what was not an easy strip to bat on. Our prolific Kiwi looked set before perishing leg before for nine but Jones as always was unperturbed at the other end, stroking a couple of languid sixes in typical lounge lizard fashion before being given out caught at the wicket.
With run rate not an issue Robinson and Andy Clarke took a little time to adjust to conditions before beginning to play some shots, with the latter disappointed to have to depart for a stylish 20 after falling to Davids, who was bowling some useful left arm orthodox spin despite being by trade a quick.
Captain Morgan brought his trademark brooding intensity to the crease and, despite losing Robinson for a very useful 17, was given good support from Patston, who departed for eight. Morgan looked like he would see us home with some crisp strokes square of the wicket before falling for 27. Once again it was left to Ovenden, the latest player from the Strollers’ much envied New Zealand production line, to finish things off, which he did with shots all around the wicket in an entertaining 24 not out. Our target was reached with wickets and overs to spare.
So another victory to keep the recent good run going and a thoroughly enjoyable game against hospitable hosts. “Fire in Babylon” it may not quite have been, but that frankly was only due to the Strollers’ commendable ethos of never mixing politics and sport. For that fine body of men it’s only ever about one thing: Cricket.
Capt and wkt: Mike Morgan. Match fees: Max Jones.
The Bricklayers Arms
Thursday June 30 at in Putney
Strollers won by 87 runs
Strollers 164-4
(20 overs; Ransome 46, Troughton 35, Low 31, Ovenden 19, Ramnarayan 15)
Bricklayers 77-6
(20 overs; Thavam 2-5, Ramnarayan 2-17)
It was a day when Fulham began their European adventure with a resounding win. Hardly a mile away, the Strollers put in an equally convincing performance against the Bricklayers Arms CC after choosing to bat first.
With only eight players turning up at the start, there was no choice but to bat first, and Chris Troughton got to work, slamming four consecutive fours off the second over he faced. Another six and a four later, Troughton went for an almighty heave and was done in by the low bounce.
With both openers gone, the middle order kept things ticking along, with John Low playing some pleasing cut shots off the medium-pacers, making 31. He finally fell lbw, given out by the Strollers latecomer sent out to umpire for his sins.
With a handful of overs to come, Matt Ransome and Piers Ovenden, batting at five and six respectively, went after the bowling in grand style. Ransome, who earlier in the day was mumbling about rarely getting a bat for the Strollers, made good his chance with some accurate hitting. With field spread out, he picked up the twos on offer and pierced the field for boundaries on several occasions. He finished the innings with a flourish – two sixes in the last over, ending up with 46 not out. What looked like a possible 130 total had quickly become 164-4 in 20.
It was a wicket that kept low and rewarded bowlers that kept the ball on the stumps. Steve Thavam did just that, accounting for both openers clean bowled in a miserly spell. He ended with two wickets for five runs.
The remaining bowlers maintained this discipline and kept things tight. Ironic cheers from the Bricklayers contingent greeted the odd boundary, but it was hard going for the home team on the whole. Abi Ramnarayan picked up a couple of wickets with his excruciatingly slow off-spinners, ending with 2-17 in his four.
The final nail was provided by Dan Boyle, who took an excellent catch to remove the Bricklayers’ top scorer. Boyle followed the clever strategy of watching a dog fight on the side of the ground rather than the field of play itself; had he been watching the batsman, he would surely have been hampered by the setting sun. As it was he took a difficult catch with aplomb.
The overs were batted out, but Bricklayers were 84 runs short of the target.
Capt and Match fees: Tom Wood. Wkt: Matt Ransome.
Hampton Hill
Saturday July 2 in Carlisle Park
Strollers won by 170 runs
Strollers 216-7
(40 overs; Boyle 65, Russell 40, Crocker 30no, Hodgson 24, Ball 15, Brodbeck 11no)
Hampton Hill 46
(18.2 overs; Cheal 3-14, Crocker 2-9, Gallagher 2-9, Brodbeck 1-6)
A warm summer’s day where the rain stayed away, and at 1:55 it seemed that most of the Strollers had too.
Messrs Warren Crocker and Ed Gallagher succumbed to heavy London traffic and eventually notched up journey times of three and 4.5 hours respectively – dedication indeed. Debutant Andrew Cheal had also put in a shift from Crouch End, John Gibson and Patrick Howard arrived at about 1:58 and we were just about quorate (at least for batting). Deputising captain Simon Brodbeck did well to lose the toss and fortunately, with three of our main bowlers MIA, we were asked to bat.
Jim Hodsgon and Danny Boyle strode out to the middle and set off at a rapid pace. Boyle, adaptable in both the pinch-hitting slot and the anchor man role, chose the latter, and was happy to farm the strike to Jim, who played some classy shots on his way to a quickfire 24, before he mistimed one and was caught at midwicket. Howard came in at three and hit the straps before being controversially given out caught behind.
Jeff Ball replaced Howard and showed briefly that he has benefited from the Brodbeck coaching school, showing some typical left-handed shots (e.g. all legside, square of the wicket) before controversy again reared its ugly head, this time an lbw decision. Ball, returned to the “Tadpoles Nursery” changing room, and unleashed a stream of language that won’t have been heard there for many a year, before going off to the car park to tamper with the tyres of Ed’s car.
Brendan Russell was the next man in to support Boyle (who at this stage had been mixing defence with the occasional classy attacking drive). Russell batted with typical gusto and bludgeoned his way to a rapid-fire 40 off just 29 balls. He was eventually caught at point, but not before he had hit the ball to all parts and given the innings some real momentum.
Boyle was joined briefly by Kimball Bailey and then John Gibson, and started to move through the gears himself – he brought up a magnificent 50 by hitting three successive fours and continued on, until he was eventually caught at mid-off attempting to hit over the top for 65. He had set the platform for a big Strollers’ total and rightly should take the plaudits. Gibson received the third contentious decision of the day, when given out lbw.
Crocker and Brodbeck applied the coup de grace, both playing some great attacking shots, with Crocker especially ruthless; at tea, he had raced to 30 not out, ably supported by Brodbeck who made 11 not out. It was a good Strollers batting performance and we had not quite needed to use our full 11 – a first for a Saturday fixture this season.
After a quick tea (where Sally expressed a liking for the chocolate doughnuts) the Strollers took to the field, keen to emulate their first innings performance. Crocker and Gallagher bowled with real hostility (Eddie Hemmings requested that the reporter refrain from using the term “pace”) and tore through the top order – after 10 overs, Hampton Hill had a mountain to climb at 20-4, with both of our opening bowlers claiming 2-9.
Ed bowled their danger man with an in-swinger that moved about six inches and smashed into the top of off stump and Crocker bamboozled with variations of pace and swing to bowl both the openers. Ed also saw off the number four with an lbw decision (perhaps the first correct one of the day).
Cheal and Brodbeck were then called into action. Cheal had a dream start to his Strollers career when Howard snaffled a catch behind the stumps of his first ball – he promptly asked to be taken off as in his own words “it won’t get any better than this” – and continued bowling a probing line and length.
Further catches from “The Hands” and Brodbeck gave him final figures of 3-14. The ever-dependable Brodbeck bowled his usual miserly stuff and was rewarded with the final wicket of the innings caught at square leg by Ball. Unfortunately for Hampton, they had lost two of their players to injury and thus at eight wickets down, they had limped to 46 all out.
Captain Howard magnanimously suggested that two of their players were welcome to bat again, but the gesture was declined, and so victory was completed in just fewer than 20 overs.
A very pleasant day for cricket, with thanks to our convivial hosts. Thanks also to Dal Crocker ("I haven't done this since Warren was in the Under-16s") for doing the scoring. The discussions continued into the evening in the nearby “Rising Sun”
Capt and wkt: Patrick Howard. Match Fees: Ed “Trigger Finger” Gallagher
Amersham Hill
Sunday July 10 in Amersham
Strollers lost by two wickets
Strollers 258-2 dec
(McDougall 90no, Addis 87, Timperley 25, Ovenden 21no)
Amersham Hill 259-8
(Wyatt 4-38, Samuel 2-90, Cave 1-27)
With Coleshill having the decency to let us know early that they couldn't raise a team (in stark contrast to Bledlow), fixtures maestro Simon Brodbeck was able to find a replacement - and what a good one it turned out to be. Amersham Hill, at the very end of the Metropolitan line - an easy 15 minutes' walk from the ground - turned out to be a pretty, if smallish, pitch with a welcoming team.
Early indications were mixed: good (massive covers, homemade by the club, under which you could have held a wedding reception) and bad (they all looked a bit young and fit).
A time game was agreed, the toss lost - and Strollers put in to bat. Jono Addis and Hamish McDougall, both in superb form this season, headed out to face an attack of young pace at one end, and young deceptive wobblers at the other. A shortish boundary to one side (and not that long to the other) meant the pair largely traded in boundaries and twos; singles were rare. Consolidating well and putting away the bad balls, the pair happily moved on, dealing with a variety of bowling including some nippy leg-spin from AH's young South African Ralston. The best bowling came from first change Platts, who bowled a 12-over spell and finally got his reward when Addis, after a smooth and chanceless 87, put his pad in front and umpire Evan Samuel raised the finger - feeling a bit better later when Addis asked if it was "hitting middle and leg or just middle". Just middle, in fact. The openers had put on 179.
Skipper James Timperley, still feeling the effects of a convivial night with Hamish and Doran Wyatt, joined his drinking partner and the pair continued to move the ball around until Timpers somehow got under a shooter and scooped up a catch to midwicket for 25. Piers Ovenden - yes, another Kiwi, and yes, he can play - added a brisk 21 not out as McDougall sought his third ton of the season, falling just short on an excellent 90 not out as the declaration came at tea after 44 overs. 258-2 looked eminently defendable.
Well ... sort of. AH's openers had what could reasonably be described as an attacking mentality. Tom Wood (also suffering somewhat, having chosen to recover from his birthday on Friday by, ahem, going drinking again on Saturday) was treated roughly. Dennis Cave was treated abominably, going for 27 off his first two overs - though he tempted one opener to put up a catch to Wyatt. Timperley decided to end the punishment and looked for another sacrificial lamb ... Samuel.
Baa.
In a sign of things to come, Samuel's first two balls were hit out of the ground and lost (eight or nine balls were used in the game). The tone had been set. Wyatt, back in the UK for a brief visit, had the No3 well caught by Alastair Macaulay at the start of an impressive performance. He also claimed the key wicket of Ralston, out lbw for 79 off an estimated five balls, before Samuel, taking a break from watching the ball disappear over the boundary, bowled the No4 and was rested, retiring to slip mumbling about suicide. He was replaced by Simon Brodbeck, who also suffered, while at the other end Wyatt took a break as Ovenden delivered five excellent overs with three maidens. A brief experiment with Wood was cancelled in favour of a return by Wyatt.
Casting around for someone to replace Brodbeck, Timperley decided that Samuel's day couldn't actually get much worse so threw him the ball. A comedy run-out by the AH skipper, removing Mall after his maiden 50, gave hope; Samuel strangled a wicket with an excellent catch at point by Ovenden, and then Wyatt took two wickets in one over - and suddenly, from nowhere, FSS were back in it. Samuel started his last over with the score 252-8. Two singles...and four byes. With one run needed to win, Wyatt began the last over with a dot ball. A scampered single off the next - an attempted run-out which missed by a whisker - and Amersham Hill had got home, in their 40th and final over, with four balls to spare.
The post-mortem gloom was relieved somewhat by the excellent hospitality of our hosts before the Strollers limped off into the night. An excellent fixture and one for the future.
Capt: James Timperley. Wkt: Hamish McDougall. Match fees: Tom Wood.
Suicidal depression: Evan Samuel.
Tadworth
Sunday July 17 in Tadworth
Strollers won by five wickets
Tadworth 146-8
(30 overs; Ball 3-12, Ovenden 2-18, McDougall 1-9, Addis 1-20, Walder 1-40)
Strollers 147-5
(29.1 overs; Addis 47no, McDougall 28, Mawson 25, Ramnarayan 17, Ball 13)
A triumph of mind over matter, of faith and blind optimism over meteorological science, of the temptation of the best tea in Surrey against – well, practically everything…. The rain showers that had pursued a sceptical team arrived enthusiastically, but after some Keystone Cop business with the covers we were able to start a 35-over match.
Skipper Aaron Walder won the toss and elected to insert the opposition despite the absence of two key players: Tim Edwards had dropped out with no time to find a replacement (the sad end of a promising Strollers career) and James Mawson was stuck in traffic. This allowed us to take advantage of the Tadworth youth policy as Ben Robinson and Joe Ireland fielded for us, with energy and throwing ability envied by some of the older members of the Strollers team.
Abhinav Ramnarayan donned the pads as Hamish McDougall took the new ball, with Piers Ovenden at the other end. Tight bowling was interspersed with some evidence of dodgy radar, but both got into their rhythm and Abi took an edge off a rising McDougall delivery to dismiss Williams. Mawson arrived to a chorus of enthusiastic welcome and support from Jeff Ball, having sought directions from the Tadworth clubhouse, a kindness the opposition were soon to regret as he took a sharp catch over his shoulder in the covers to dismiss Mark Robinson off Ovenden. McDougall took over the pads in time for the heavens to open, with Tadworth on 25-2.
Were we depressed? An opportunity for an early start on the best tea in Surrey? Not a bit. It was terrific. Thank you.
But eventually the rain stopped. The pitch was bone dry though the rest of the square very wet – our hosts decided to go for it, and that, amazingly, was the last interruption by the weather as we reduced the match to 30 overs.
Ovenden finished his spell, picking up another wicket as Jono Addis took a sharp catch at extra to dismiss Karina. Ireland and Richard accelerated the scoring, taking a shine to Walder and Addis, though both fell, Richards bowled by Addis and Ireland caught by Addis off Walder.
The skipper looked around for a canny death bowler. Who else but Ivor Fiala? Celebrating his 34th season and averaging 0.411764705882 wickets a season, what better way to celebrate his 500th game for the club than with three quick wickets? Well, that sadly wasn’t to be, but he maintained control in his three overs as Tadworth sought to accelerate the scoring.
Then cometh the hour, cometh another man. Jeff Ball took those three wickets deserved by Ivor (“And me, and me”, said the captain). His first ball had the hard-hitting P Matthews stumped by McDougall, off a wide. Hemmings hit a two and was then clean bowled. A dot ball before our unlikely hero was launched for a huge six, then another huge hit straight to the safe hands of Addis at deep square leg. Ball 3-12. Ramnarayan bowled the last over and we trooped in ready for second helpings of tea with Tadworth on 146-8. Tea was definitely needed by a Strollers fielding side that had done a lot of running, with particular mention of Mawson, Gibson and Ireland – oh yes, and the chase to the long boundary by Kimball Bailey to get a ball that appeared to have been stopped by a rabbit (in more ways than one, we mean).
Mawson and Ramnarayan made a solid start against some tight Tadworth bowling before Abi was stumped for 17 off Ben Robinson by young Will Ireland, a keeper of real promise. Gibson struck and ran energetically before being bowled by Richards for six. Mawson was run out off a direct hit after deciding not to smash into a bowler half his size for a good 25, leaving McDougall and the injured Addis to work the ball round. Hamish was caught in the deep for 28 and Jeff Ball knocked off a quick 13 before being caught behind by Ireland off Robinson. Joe Ireland joined Addis and was unlucky not to get the strike as the match was won off the first ball of the 30th over, Addis striking the ball to be caught in the covers – but off a no ball. The batsmen crossed with Addis on 47 not out – we await the updated email from Simon on the relative positions of our leading batsmen.
“Gibbogate” led to lengthy discussion in the bar with our genial hosts; and there was much more of that splendid tea and some rather nice beer. Thanks again to Tadworth, not only for their excellent hospitality but also for playing such a good game when so many other matches were cancelled.
Captain: Aaron Walder. Wkt: Abhinav Ramnarayan/Hamish McDougall. Match Fees: Hamish McDougall.
CERN Saturday
Saturday July 23 in Geneva
Strollers lost by four wickets
Strollers 131-8
(35 overs; Gallagher 35no, Hodgson 27, Taylor 20)
CERN 132-6
(Macaulay 2-29, Samuel 1-14, Hodgson 1-14, Gallagher 1-27)
The Fleet Street Strollers were on a voyage of discovery. How did the universe start and what happened after the Big Bong? Where is Higgs? What underpins the fundamental laws of physics? Where is the antimatter? The answers were to be revealed on the inaugural CERN cricket tour 2011.
What happened after the Big Bong?
The Strollers knowledge quest began at a tour of the CERN research facility on the Franco-Swiss French border, near Geneva. The tour was organised by our super hospitable host Tim Goodyear on the Friday before the game.
CERN boasts the Large Hadron Collider which lies in a tunnel 27 kilometres in circumference, 100m below ground. It is designed to recreate the conditions of the start of the universe by colliding particle beams of protons at around 99.9% of the speed of light.
“It’s not rocket science,” opined one slightly smug Stroller halfway through the tour. Another dozed off, while others headed for the souvenir shop to buy the post card and T-shirt. The more dedicated of the group studied the super magnetic semi conductors and the world wide web control room and marveled at the physical possibility of creating a black hole that could destroy the universe. Among the most revealing aspects of the tour was a video portrayal of what happened after ‘the Big Bong’; Geneva had never seen a party like it, according to a series of glassy-eyed Swiss youngsters.
Still, the Strollers were going to try and give the Big Bong party a run for its money. That evening Tom Wood arranged dinner at le Coq Rouge Restaurant in St Genis, which turned out a cracking meal, and the vin rouge flowed.
Where is Higgs?
CERN Cricket Club is based within the grounds of the CERN facility on a mostly picturesque ground called the Higgs Field. As the Strollers had learned, Higgs was elusive. The Higgs boson is a hypothetical elementary particle predicted to exist by British physicist John Higgs in the 1960s. Attempts are being made to find the particle by experiment using the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN. Luckily for the Strollers, Higgs Field is slightly easier to locate than the boson, and the morning’s rains had receded to allow some cricket.
Captain Mike Morgan won the toss and batted, but some sharp, accurate swing and bounce knocked the top off the order. With the Strollers in deep trouble at 75-6; Taylor (20) and Gallagher (35*) rescued things somewhat to get through to a respectable 131-8 from 35 overs.
What underpins the fundamental laws of physics?
Gravity, mostly, dragging down the Strollers’ match prospects. A promising early spell with the swinging new ball saw CERN slump to 67-5; but that had unraveled. Gallagher’s action had sadly done the same with a few wayward deliveries. What underpins Ed Gallagher’s bowling action? No one was quite sure. The Strollers tried hard but CERN knocked off the runs comfortably with six wickets down.
The pain of the loss was more than compensated by a brilliant BBQ, complete with pepper steak, marinated chicken, chorizo and the universe’s tastiest potato salad. Many thanks again to our hospitable hosts.
Where is the antimatter?
For the first few instants of its existence the Universe was balanced, with matter and antimatter created in equal abundance. Then just one second after the Big Bang, the antimatter had all but disappeared, together with almost all the matter, leaving a minute amount of matter alone to form everything that we see around us – from the stars and galaxies, to the Earth and all life that it supports.
CERN scientists are searching to locate the antimatter and explain the imbalance of the universe. Instead of studying speeding protons 100m below ground, they should have been studying James Timperley’s left knee, as that was where the biggest imbalance of the day occurred, following its own big bang.
Timperley landed awkwardly on the side of the pitch in bowling a delivery, causing his knee to implode in a most painful way. It required hospital treatment, crutches, a day off cricket day reading glamour magazines with the WAGs, and many hours to come spent on the physio table and possibly with the surgeon. We wish him a speedy recovery.
The first half of the inaugural Strollers tour to Geneva was over and the team had learnt much on their voyage of discovery. But the Sunday game was approached faster than a speeding proton. Could the knowledge of advanced physics be translated into cricketing action? We shall see.
Capt: Mike Morgan. Wkt: Hamish McDougall.
CERN Sunday
Sunday July 24 in Geneva
Strollers won by eight wickets
CERN 161
(Morgan 2-5, Wood 2-24, Samuel 2-31, Gallagher 1-11, Macaulay 1-20, Hodgson 1-30, Goodyear 1-31)
Strollers 162-2
(Barmforth-McDougall 67, Wood 32no, Taylor 26)
So, the morning after the night before and, somewhat surprisingly, the Strollers were in reasonably fine fettle - if you ignore those walking (or indeed hobbling on crutches) like cripples. Being kicked out of the only pub in town at 1am is good for us, it seems.
A quick livener at Charly’s pub to gather the troops, and back to Higgs Field where a very different-looking Cern team welcomed us, led by captain Dave Bolton and featuring a number of friendly and supportive WAGS - though, of course, they didn’t have Wagons, let alone a Wagonette in the form of the crippled James Timperley, who was grateful for quiet female company after putting up with a night of patented EdGal sympathy.
Mike Morgan, back as skipper, consulted with JT, won the toss, and inserted in a time game. And lo, the Strollers answered the call.
The aforementioned EdGal, who the day before had pleaded with the gods to end his miserable existence when an appalling second spell was rounded off by an even worse cover of Knocking on Heaven’s Door from a nearby French cover band, was inspired; bowling fast, straight and with good movement in the heavy air. His reward was the wicket of the dangerous-looking Phillips, out to a blinding catch by guest Tim Goodyear in the gully. Five overs, 1-11; excellent.
At the other end, Jim Hodgson was not so fortunate; a good spell yielding few runs but no wicket after Evan Samuel (claiming to be unsighted by the keeper) singularly failed to get anything other than shin on a chance at first slip off Rod Curtis (Aussie mate of Stroller Peter Hanlon, on vacation from Delhi). However, he only added 15 against tight bowling before being removed by Goodyear courtesy of a simple catch to Gallagher; 58-2.
Rob Campbell dug in with Ahmed, taking Cern to drinks against Samuel and Tom Wood. But the first over after drinks brought the breakthrough: the big-hitting Ahmed skied a Samuel delivery to point, where Jeff Ball called strongly and took the catch. The batsmen crossed; Campbell took a single, and then Bolton - identified as Cern’s star player - played all over a straight ball to be bowled for a golden duck. Great was the rejoicing before Samuel, knowing enough to quit while ahead, declined another over and gave way to Alastair Macaulay. 98-4.
Just 21 runs later, with the batsmen becalmed against Wood and the impressively miserly Macaulay, Campbell finally cracked, hitting a catch to Gallagher off Wood to be out for a fine 62; 119-5. Wood then removed Chatoo lbw for eight (130-6, Wood 2-24 off eight) and Macaulay instantly had Sequira stumped by Barmforth-McDougall for seven (130-7), finishing with 1-20 off eight.
Morgan replaced Macaulay to bamboozle Onions, bowled for 12 (157-8), Hodgson returned for the deserved wicket, lbw, of Allen (157-9) and the skipper then took Macaulay’s role of being cruel to children by bowling Ahmed with a rank long-hop edged onto boot and stumps.
A quick mention for the ‘keeper: Hamish was superb all day.
An excellent tea - epic curried potatoes and spicy rice, and brilliant carrot cake (extensively tested by Morgan) - was followed by a dominant Strollers batting performance.
With plenty of time (in the end, we would have faced 44 overs - almost exactly what we bowled), Brian Taylor, in form after the day before, and Hamish Barmforth-McDougall (don’t blame me, blame EdGal), anxious to find form after the day before, faced down an all-spin opening attack; accurate and bouncy.
They put on 99 in different styles, Taylor all delicate cuts and nudges (until a lovely lofted on-drive for four) and McDougall powering anything off line to and beyond the boundary. They put on 99 before Taylor was stumped for 26 off Ahmed (not convinced by the decision, it’s true, but philosophical). McDougall hit 50 off 84 balls before being caught and bowled off an ambitious pull against Campbell for an impressive 67, continuing an excellent season.
A muscular 32 not out from Wood, backed up by an unbeaten eight by EdGal to go with his fine innings of the day before, saw the Strollers home with seven overs to spare. Cern named Hamish man of the match for both his innings and his keeping.
Ball, despite a fine fielding performance, won Le Lapin for blaming a twig for putting him off a catch and then rebellion as an umpire, trying to quit his post before being called in. Li Peng contributed by not bringing the bunny with her to the game!
Timperley failed his Wagonette exam by actually knowing the result, and the difference between the signals for six and four.
A convivial post-mortem with Cern, who were excellent hosts and cricketers, was followed by a suitably lubricated dinner and the pub. Our thanks to CCC for an excellent weekend…even allowing for injury. Hope to see you next year.
Capt: Mike Morgan. Wkt (and MoM): Hamish Barmforth-McDougall.
Lapin: Jeff Ball. Scorer: Maggie Patston. Wagonmaster: James Timperley.
Prestcold
Sunday July 24 in Binfield Heath
Strollers won by seven wickets
Prestcold 170
(Allsopp 3-49, Robinson 2-22, Clough 2-32, Brodbeck 1-29, Cave 1-34)
Strollers 173-3
(Clough 69no, Howard 22no, Addis 20)
For the first time in what felt like a long time the Strollers were blessed with a perfect day for cricket. Prestcold CC is nothing if not picturesque and with the sun beaming down from a clear blue sky and all 11 present and correct the vibe in the dressing room was deliriously positive and remained so even when the news was broken that the toss had been lost and there was fielding to be done.
Patrick Howard had the honour of leading the club’s First XI out in search of a win to make up for the defeat suffered by the second string in foreign climes the day before and was rewarded early on when Dennis Cave clean bowled one of several Rosiers for a duck.
It’s fair to say that Dennis wasn’t overly impressed with what qualified as a wide delivery in this part of Buckinghamshire on the penultimate Sunday in July and demonstrated his disapproval with a series of robust double teapots. At the other end meanwhile Steve Robinson had slipped into his usual impressive groove and was rewarded with a wicket himself before Laurie Allsopp took over and with an audacious display of flight and guile returned figures of 3-49 courtesy of a catch and stumping by Andy Clarke (a rare collector’s item for any bowler) and a straightforward catch at square leg which removed the dangerous McClarty for 41.
It was this last dismissal, however, that served to remind all present, should they have needed reminding, what a uniquely sporting and democratic captain Patrick Howard is when he sought to dissuade the square leg umpire from approving the wicket, having come courtesy of a miscued pull from a chest-high full toss, and then took a straw poll amongst the Strollers as to whether it really was fair even after the said official had been unmoved. Men like that are hard to find; Steve Waugh he is not.
Simon Brodbeck also got in on the act as did debutant Russell Clough, the first graduate of the FSSCC Johannesburg academy, as Prestcold were dismissed for 170 with an over remaining.
At tea the feeling was that the opposition were short by a few, a theory backed up by one of our resident phone hackers who informed us that hitherto they had been in the habit of helping themselves regularly to 250 or more. The opening pair of James Mawson and Max Jones were taking nothing for granted, though, and approached the task in hand with due diligence.
It did therefore come as a nasty surprise when both perished for single figures with nobody more incredulous than Jones himself when he struck a low full toss into the hands of mid-on rather than into a neighbouring field for six. Runs from the bat were hard to come by for the new pairing of Jono Addis and Howard but with extras keeping the scoreboard ticking over they began to find their feet until Addis met a premature end when he scorched one straight off the middle of his bat into the hands of extra cover.
The skipper was joined by Clough, who had quietly admitted over tea that he was more of a batsman than a bowler and it was no hollow claim as after a watchful start Russ or Russell, he really doesn’t mind which, unleashed an array of strokes on his way to 69 not out. At the other end Howard was happy to play a supporting role but took full toll on anything too full, playing some savage straight drives himself.
The target was reached with 10 overs to spare and another victory recorded by Fleet Street’s finest. Not too far away the 2,000th Test match was being played at the most famous cricket ground in the world but even if another 2,000 are played none of them will ever bear comparison with Strollers’ fixtures. That is not to say that Test cricket is necessarily inferior to Strollers’ cricket, at least not always, just different.
Capt: Patrick Howard. Wkt: Andy Clarke. Match fees: Dennis Cave.
Peppard
Sunday July 31 at Peppard
Strollers won by five wickets
Peppard 233-6
(40 overs; Hodgson 3-34, Cave 1-26, Ovenden 1-36, Cheal 1-36)
Strollers 235-5
(38.2 overs; Addis 88, Clough 44no, McDougall 41, Howard 28no, Boyle 12)
In the absence of the skipper, who was late for a second week in a row, Jim Hodgson did the honours and lost the toss. Peppard elected to bat. The outfield was hard and, apart from the long boundary up the hill, pretty much anything that got past a fielder was going to the boundary.
The openers started briskly but Dennis Cave persuaded one to loft a catch to Alastair Macaulay at mid-on. However the early breakthrough was not followed up. Legg (63) and Williams (41) kept the scoring rate high, putting on 81 for the second wicket. Dan Hayden then make a rapid 67, helping the fourth wicket partnership to 119 as the Strollers bowlers and fielders struggled to stem the flow of runs. The exception was Hodgson, who came back at the end of the innings and took three wickets in quick succession. The final total of 233 could have been rather worse.
The innings started badly when Peter Patston was run out in the first over without facing a ball. Hamish McDougall called for a single hit very close to point and Peter was not even close to making his ground. Hamish was later seen eating a large slice of humble pie in the pavilion and scorebox.
Jonno Addis joined McDougall and the judgement of quick singles improved as they put the fielders under pressure. Bad balls were put away for boundaries and the score ticked along at the required six an over. McDougall was eventually out for 41 as the pair put on 100 for the second wicket and laid a solid foundation for victory.
Jonno was then joined by Patrick Howard, who kept it going with 28 off 31 balls. Addis was eventually caught at deep mid-wicket for an excellent 88. Russell Clough was initially watchful but was soon hitting the ball to all parts to continue the good start to his Strollers career. Dan Boyle kept the momentum going with 12 from seven balls before succumbing to Peppard's wily young spinner Leech. Clough and Hodgson saw us home in the 39th over with Clough ending on 44 not out.
Peppard were as hospitable as ever and we adjourned to the Maltster's Arms to rehydrate on Brakspears where we established that, despite his Yorkshire roots, Russell Clough is sadly no relative of Brian.
Capt: Patrick Howard. Wkt: Hamish McDougall. Match fees: Dennis Cave.
Concorde
Sunday August 7 at Sendholme
Match drawn
Concorde 187-9 dec
(Morgan 3-46, Gallagher 3-65, Hodgson 2-42)
Strollers 169-8
(McDougall 75, Dorrans 25no, Hodgson 22, Addis 13, Ball 11)
A lovely day, despite dire weather predictions and the driving rain on the A3. Skipper Mike Morgan won the toss and inserted the opposition, despite the sight of the big-hitting opener from the previous year and the absence of Abi Ramnarayan.
Bucolic noises are largely unfamiliar to the city types among us, but the sounds of sheep mooing beside this charming ground may well have inspired, or perhaps distracted, the antipodean contingent.
Initially Ed Gallagher seemed to have lost his radar, but Paul Dorrans bowled well from the other end before his hamstring gave way. Openers Dyer and Freeman moved serenely on to 60 off 12 overs, with Jim Hodgson and his hangover replacing Dorrans. Something needed to be done.
Inspirational, that’s what it was. Morgan put himself on to bowl, and Freeman immediately smacked his first ball which was, according to some historians, a rank long hop, to the safe hands of Kimball Bailey at short backward square leg. Yes, you read it here first….
Surely lightning wouldn’t strike twice? But it did, when three balls later a Morgan yorker (high full toss. Ed.) bowled Redfern for a duck.
Accurate bowling from Hodgson was eventually rewarded with a sharp catch by Morgan to dismiss Wright, and, later, an even more stunning slip catch to remove Dyer just after he had reached his 50. Jeff Ball took a tumbling catch in the covers to make Breen Morgan’s third victim – 11-1-46-3 was a tremendous performance and probably Mike’s longest spell for the Strollers.
Hodgson just kept on going. I don’t think I have seen him bowl better, and he was unlucky not to finish with a Michelle. His last couple of overs were given a bit of long handle, otherwise his figures would have been even more impressive than the 19-6-42-2 that he achieved. Well done.
At the other end, Gallagher returned and took three wickets as the batsmen tried to increase the run rate. All were caught behind by Hamish McDougall, two skiers to remove Stockbridge and Gibbons, and a neat one down the leg side to dismiss McGuffie. A neat throw from Jono Addis removed Reeve, but we were unable to prise out Cudworth and Smith and Concorde had reached 187 off a tiring 48 overs.
Lashings of praise for the Strollers bowling and fielding, especially with ten men, not only from chairman and skipper but from the Concorde umpire who asked if we had regular fielding and catching practice. If only he knew.
Feeling the pressure from some tight bowling, Addis was persuaded to push a catch to cover for 13. Tom Wood followed soon after with an identical shot and Patrick Howard a couple of overs later for six. Things were not looking good.
While this carnage was going on at the other end, Hamish McDougall was looking increasingly confident. Ball kept him company and scored rapidly before playing a loose shot and being caught for 11. Morgan had joined McDougall who looked to be cruising towards another century when he gave Stockbridge his third catch at cover, this time off Freeman who was to go on to take a five-fer. But I’m spoiling the plot… McDougall’s excellent 75 out of 111 was warmly applauded.
In came Gallagher, who struck a four off his first ball and then skied one behind the keeper and was caught. Then Hodgson for some further heroics: he and Morgan both struck some clean boundaries. But Morgan was also caught at fine leg, for nine, returning immediately to act as runner for the limping Dorrans.
This partnership was critical as the Strollers inched towards their target. Then Hodgson was bowled for a combative 22. Still 40 runs needed off nine overs.
As someone once said, “cometh the hour, cometh the man”. Bailey came, and survived the over.
Relaxed and clearly undeterred by his previous history of batting with the chairman, Dorrans struck a four and then calmly took a single off the last ball of the over to retain the strike. Bailey gave him helpful advice about staying in his ground and letting Morgan do the running. This same formula worked for the next over, and the next (though without the four), and the next, and the next…
So the pressure was on. Never in the field of human conflict…. Fielders crowded the batsmen, and the call to “kick the ball over the boundary if he tries to run a single off the last ball of the over so we can get at the other bloke” was ignored. The target was just too high, and the draw, after 41 overs, meant that cricket was indeed the only winner.
Exceptional batting by Dorrans. He finished with 25 not out, and Bailey a duck of which – unlike most of his many others – he could rightly be proud. Post-match discussion continued in the bar with our hospitable hosts, and we look forward to next year.
Captain: Mike Morgan. Wkt: Hamish McDougall. Match Fees: Tom Wood.
West Hoathly
Sunday August 14 at West Hoathly
Strollers won by 58 runs
Strollers 155
(Wood 45, Clough 26, Howard 17, Russell 14no)
West Hoathly 97
(Russell 5-13, Wood 4-11, Gunter 1-18)
Captain Mike Morgan won the toss and elected to bat on a slow track, whose uneven bounce would lend the bowlers plenty of assistance. All the more creditable, therefore, that openers Patrick Howard and James Mawson saw off the pace attack, chipped in with some useful runs, and laid the foundations of the Strollers’ innings.
Running nimbly between the wickets Tom Wood and Russell Clough scored 45 and 26 respectively with some style.
The afternoon was overshadowed by an injury to young Scott Hutson, sustained while he was batting. He dislocated his knee after playing a fine shot to mid-off and lay prone on the pitch while the emergency services were called. He found himself surrounded by curious children, dogs and concerned adults, all of which he bore with good humour. “It doesn’t hurt that much”, grimaced Hutson through gritted teeth. He was eventually taken by ambulance to East Sussex Hospital for treatment. Stroller stalwart Jeff Ball, who had spectated due to a seemingly chronic back injury, kindly set off for the hospital after the match to collect the injured man. We all join in wishing Scott a speedy recovery and return to the field of play.
Thereafter the Strollers’ tail wagged limply, with the honourable exception of Clough, who thrashed an impressive 14 and guided his side to 155 all out in the 34th over. A respectable total given the state of the pitch and a slow outfield.
By their own admission the West Hoathlyans batted recklessly. They were reduced to six wickets with less than 30 runs on the board. This is not to detract from a fine fielding and bowling display by the Strollers. Morgan’s field placings proved astute. Four outfield catches were taken, two close to the bat. In the deep the Strollers stopped the ball and returned it to the stumps with alacrity, Mawson at deep square leg in particular.
There was no danger of conceding “the five” as there had been at your reporter’s previous outing in May against Odney. Pick of the bowlers were Wood with 4-11 and Russell with 5-13. From their disastrous start Hoathly did well to recover to 94 all out in the 25th over. But this was a decisive victory for the Strollers.
Those Strollers not headed directly for A and E joined the West Hoathlyans for a convivial pint of the local ale at the bowling club. It was noted, en passant, that, having scored 45 and taken four wickets, man-of-the match Wood could perhaps see the spectre of jug avoidance hanging over him.
Capt and wkt: Mike Morgan. Match fees: Tom Wood.
Sutton
Sunday August 21 at Sutton
Strollers won by eight wickets
Strollers 149-9
(40 overs; Crocker 3-xx, Hodgson x-xx, Macaulay x-xx)
Strollers 153-2
(Ovenden 84no, Mustoe 34, Clough 19)
It was all about the catching for the Strollers at Sutton, with seven of the nine opposition wickets to fall being pouched by what was probably one of the stronger fielding sides Mike Morgan is likely to lead. And that was even with Jeff Ball not being his usual jazzy self.
Sutton batted when Morgan lost the toss (“I would have fielded anyway”) which, given the pretty muggy conditions, played into the hands of the Strollers attack. Jim Hodgson claimed an opener, taken at slip by Russell Clough in one of the most audacious juggling catches you are likely to see. The Strollers called for an encore, and a passing circus master made enquiries about availability. Hodgson, not entirely impressed, decided to show him how it was done, and stuck out his hands for an impressive low catch off Matt Ransome.
The Sutton third wicket took them through to drinks, but at a ponderous pace. Alastair Macaulay came on to tease and tempt opener Edwards and the hard-hitting Krayenbrink, who would make 50. After being unlucky to have a stumping given not out, Stair got his wicket when Edwards played a swirling thick edge to Ransome at point.
Morgan, ever innovative, then turned to Laurie Allsopp, whose response was something of the “right … well, if you’re sure Skip” variety. What happened next? A first ball came down that hung in the air then turned just enough to draw a wild swing from batsman Khan, before hitting middle stump. Cue jubilant Monty Panesar-esque celebrations.
From then on the wickets came quickly. Warren Crocker ate up the ground to take a catch off Piers Ovenden at mid-off, and came back on to gobble down three wickets himself. All were caught, with Clough taking Krayenbrink in the covers one-handed in a full-length dive then Ransome pouching two skiers at deep mid-on. There was even time for a quick double-teapot as Ball (who introduced himself to Clough before the game as a “specialist fielder”) decided to make heavy weather of catching/stopping/chasing the ball.
So, tea came at 149-9, which was, by the Strollers reckoning, a good total to chase. Ovenden and Gary Mustoe (a Matt Ransome recruit) opened with intent, and the Kiwi immediately emulated his more celebrated batting countrymen with two classy straight drives in the first over.
Both batsmen had the chance to demonstrate their full repertoire of shots, and when Mustoe fell lbw for 34, Clough came in to give it some wallop. One pull shot that landed on the boundary rope was followed by a straight six, before he holed out to what was admittedly a very decent catch at mid-on for 19.
Ovenden, however, stood firm with an unbeaten 84, and, accompanied by Morgan, saw the Strollers over the line in only the 24th over. He was spotted after the game photographing the scoreboard as a warning to his absent compatriots that they may struggle to get back in the side.
Capt and wkt: Mike Morgan. Match fees: Alastair Macaulay.
Wall
Saturday August 27 at Wall
Strollers won by three wickets
Wall 169-9
(35 overs; Crocker 3-17, Patston 2-16, Morgan 2-26, Simon Brodbeck 1-22)
Strollers 172-7
(33.3 overs; Sam Brodbeck 52, McDougall 32, Salvesen 31, Crocker 25no)
When the Strollers checked in to their usual hotel in Ashby-de-la-Zouch after the first match of the 2011 Three Counties Tour it was under the title of St. Rollers. Canonisation had been achieved, remarkably in their own lifetimes. The feats and miracles performed on this day against Wall CC were clearly sufficient to tilt the great statistical ledger in their favour after many years of devotion.
The tourists took the field at Wall under leaden and laden skies, Mike Morgan having succcesfully negotiated the toss and invited Wall to bat on a sticky dog.
Tom Salvesen, bowling downhill and downwind, immediately found his groove with a maiden, and kept things tight from his end. In the seventh over Hurricane Salvesen was interrupted by the outer edges of Hurricane Irene as rain suddenly lashed the ground. An early tea was taken with Wall on 24-0 and the match reduced to 35 overs per side.
After the interval Morgan turned to his quintet of spinners: Simon Brodbeck, Alastair Macaulay, Peter Patston, debutant David Kelsey and Morgan himself. It was Brodbeck who made the breakthrough, deceiving Edwards in flight, the catch well taken by Salvesen running round from deep point to third man. The next batsman was run out without facing a ball as Macaulay scored a direct hit from square leg.
Wall then consolidated patiently until Patston triggered a collapse with two wickets in an over. Morgan surged into the breach, also taking two wickets in an over, including a sharp caught and bowled, to leave Wall 93-6.
At this point the Strollers hoped to limit Wall to less than 130. They had not counted on Stokes and Trupp who put on 55 for the seventh wicket in quick time. Warren Crocker put an end to the partnership, bowling Stokes for 34, and then removed Trupp as well, for a cleanly struck 46.
Morgan was unlucky not to take a third wicket with skiers to long-on and long-off spurned by Piers Ovenden and Crocker respectively. The former apparently was blinded by a highly localised shaft of sunlight while the latter made good ground only to split the webbing betwen thumb and index finger on his left hand. Wall saw out their overs to finish on 169-9.
The Strollers were in some initial difficulty with the bat: Morgan and Ovenden both stumped lurching forward to the mesmeric spin of Ali. Hamish McDougall and Sam Brodbeck laid the foundation to the innings with 41 valuable runs for the third wicket. Sam Brodbeck then found a willing ally in Salvesen.
Mixing the cardinal virtues of prudence and fortitude with scholarly aggression they put on 60 runs for the fifth wicket. When they fell in quick succession the Strollers were 144-6 with a run a ball still required. Some stiff drinks were required on the boundary, and were promptly shared by the team WAGs/mixologists.
Crocker made light of the pressure taking 25 runs from only 12 balls. With two required for victory, Crocker hit the ball to the cover boundary where it stopped short of the flags. The fielders having conceded the result the batsmen ran four, Crocker urging Kelsey to keep going even as stumps were being drawn.
The teams repaired to the Duke of Wellington for a drink before the beatific ones returned to Ashby-de-la-Zouch for a Thai feast. Discussion touched on a wide range of subjects from the merits of wearing fancy dress to the pub to the role of the rating agencies in the global financial crisis. Later 'an incident between locals' in front of the hotel closed the bar, encouraging temperance. Weary bodies retired to their rooms for meditation and rest. And so the Strollers marched in and marched on.
Capt: Mike Morgan. Wkt: Hamish McDougall.
Stanton by Dale
Sunday August 28 at Stanton
Strollers won by 87 runs
Strollers 164-7 dec
(Wood 56no, McDougall 38, Morgan 29, Crocker 15)
Stanton 77
(Crocker 8-28, Kelsey 1-18)
Late August. Sightings of a silver fox. It could only be Stanton-by-Dale.
The Strollers arrived full of vigour and surprising clarity. The Royal Hotel bar had, for the first time in living memory, been closed the night before. Even Toupee Charles, its legendary guardian, could not open the doors and reveal its treasures to Strollers already tipsy from a heady win at Wall.
Tom Wood drove north from a wedding to nurse an on-field hangover big enough for the rest of the team and replaced Tom Salvesen in an otherwise unchanged side.
Stanton skipper Brian Taylor won the toss and inserted the Strollers on a very slow, very low wicket. Captain Mike Morgan and Hamish McDougall again started well, their quick running and regular boundaries added 68 before both openers fell. Sam Brodbeck failed to spread his colours through Maggie’s scorebook, playing around a ball that swung, dipped and seamed despite Piers Ovenden confidently asserting that “it’s not doing anything.”
Taylor’s youthful attack, bent on recapturing the David Tranter Cup for the first time since 2005, stopped the Strollers from pushing on but could not remove Wood, who huffed and heaved his way to 56 not out. As the clock struck tea-time 164 didn’t seem enough – “are you declaring?” Taylor enquired over the luncheon table, Morgan sniffed and returned the briefest of steely nods.
All grumblings about Stanton’s young potential ringers proved unfounded as Simon Brodbeck (9-3-18-0) and Warren Crocker hit their spots from the off. After initial resistance Stanton fell in a heap, seduced by Crocker’s relentless line and length. Twice he could have had a hat-trick as Taylor’s carefully constructed plans fell all about him.
Taylor himself was the only Stanton batsman not snared by Crooker (who finished with a career-best 8-28 off 14 overs and a run out) as he controversially became David Kelsey’s first scalp. The Strollers’ latest summer signing might have had another, finding the stumps but being called for a high no-ball.
In the end it did not matter as the Strollers rode to victory on the back of their very own Aussie ringer, giving a grateful Sue yet another pic of a trophy-clad Mike for the Morgan motorhome fridge.
Capt: Mike Morgan. Wkt: Hamish McDougall.
Sutton on the Hill
Monday August 29 at Sutton
Strollers won by nine wickets
Sutton on the Hill 83
(Simon Brodbeck 3-2, Ovenden 3-11, Wood 3-22, Patston 1-17)
Strollers 85-1
(McDougall 45no, Morgan 16no, Taylor 16)
The scenery on the journey from Ashby to Sutton on the Hill is unalluring at the best of times. There are no significant landmarks and it is difficult to appreciate, for those who care, where Swadlincote ends and Burton begins. To make things worse, your tourists had to contend with Bank Holiday listlessness and tour fatigue. Senses were dulled. Skies were grey and threatening rain. Just the time for a livener, but no, the local pubs were closed. There was no other option but to get to the ground on time.
What better man than skipper Mike Morgan to lift the spirits? Widely acknowledged as one of the Strollers’ most effective motivational speakers, with a few words he transformed the guys into a finely honed fighting unit. Winning the toss and inserting the opposition, he proceeded to plot Sutton’s downfall.
Sutton were highly dependent on their top four batsmen, all capable of making big scores. On a green, damp wicket, Tom Wood and Warren Crocker opened the Strollers’ attack. Crocker was accurate and nagged away around the off-stump, creating the pressure. Wood was more expansive (“less accurate” if you prefer) but made the breakthrough, inducing the dangerous Wright (a centurion on Sunday) to drive to cover point where juggling Jeff Ball eventually held on. Next, Hall was trapped in the reinforced extra cover area, and then captain Nigel Harding drove to mid-off. Three wickets out of the top four to Wood.
It was the removal of Steve (“The Wall”) Taylor for 29 that prevented Sutton from reaching a challenging total; Steve could have marshalled the young inexperienced Sutton tail. However, he was bowled by Piers Ovenden, who impressed all with the way he exploited the drying conditions (9-5-11-3). Equally impressive was his Kiwi allegiance to retro beige shorts.
The spin option of Alastair Macaulay and Peter Patston was tried and Peter’s wicket moved him ever closer to 700, but the conditions suited seam bowling, as evidenced by Simon Brodbeck’s ruthless demolition of the tail (1.5-0-2-3).
It is not often that the second team bats before tea, but Brian Taylor and Hamish McDougall reached tea safely and eventually put on 54 for the first wicket. Then McDougall and Morgan shared a partnership of 31 to take the side to victory. In making 45 not out McDougall pushed his season’s aggregate to 879 runs. He is having a very successful season, perhaps in part because of his self-imposed tour curfew which sees him in bed nearly before Simon Brodbeck. It’s good for results, but will we ever see Hamish’s hakka again?
In truth, the match never really caught fire, being over inside 52 overs. Sutton were apologetic, but have no need to be; we’ve had plenty of close games with them and no doubt will have many more. The tea as ever was excellent, the scenery lovely and the post-match drink sent us on our way.
An historical footnote:
Three-match tours over the August Bank Holiday have been undertaken by the Strollers since 1983. Only once, in 1984, have we won all three games. In the modern era (playing Wall, Stanton By Dale and Sutton on the Hill), it has never been achieved until this year. Simon, Peter and Brian remain from the 1984 game, although the latter was on the opposite side.
Capt: Mike Morgan. Wkt: Hamish McDougall.
Hampton Wick
Sunday September 4 in Bushy Park
Strollers lost by 67 runs
Hampton Wick Royals 176-6
(25 overs; Robinson 3-23, Russell 2-28, Brodbeck 1-32)
Strollers 109-8
(25 overs; McDougall 36, Wood 23)
The Accuweather website reported that there “was a chance of a shower” in South London. Every chance as it turned out. The heavens began to open as the first Strollers arrived in Bushy Park around 12.30. It rained until 2.40 after Simon Brodbeck’s protestations that “it was just passing through” proved unerringly correct.
A 25-over game was decided upon and a start made at 3pm. A good thing as it turned out for Patrick Howard, taking time off from analysing the double-dip recession, rang to say that he had not realised it was a 1pm start. And to help matters, his windscreen wipers were not working. John Gibson, having cleverly left his cricket boots at Sutton a fortnight ago, dashed off to the nearest sports shop to purchase a gleaming new pair.
But by 3pm Messrs Gibson and Howard were present and correct. Brendan Russell and Alisdair Stewart, having walked in the driving rain from Kingston station, had dried out although Stewart after a particularly heavy evening the previous day did not look a well man. Skipper Tom Wood gave him the benefit of his vast experience in such matters.
Wood won the toss and, after much cogitating, inserted the opposition. After Steve Robinson’s first over they were 0-2, courtesy of a Gibson catch and an lbw. That proved the high point of the Strollers’ afternoon.
The next wicket put on 100 thanks to some errant bowling and geriatric fielding. Even when that stand was broken Wick pushed on to 176-6 in their 25 overs. The final ball of the innings summed up the Strollers’ display: The batsman was dropped off an easy skier at mid-on; an overkeen fielder picked up the ball and hurled it in the vague direction of the wicketkeeper. He failed to gather and five overthrows were run. Oh dear...
With a thinnish batting line-up the Strollers needed their top four to fire. But alas Howard dragged on and Robinson mistimed to mid-off. Wood battled away and McDougall added another 36 to take his season’s tally to 915 before holing out.
The target receded into the distance and, despite some resistance from Sam Winstanley and Kimball Bailey down the order, defeat came inevitably.
Hapless skipper Wood, not just in charge of his dog, fielding changes, collecting match fees and raising team morale was also taken to task by his opening batsman because the showers were not working properly. Drawing a bath for senior members of the team has now been added to Wood’s duties.
Since the Strollers’ defeat way back on July 23 at CERN, they had played nine, won eight and drawn one. The seemingly invincible Strollers juggernaut came to a crashing halt in Bushy Park. But we did get a game in…
Capt and Match Fees: Tom Wood. Wkt: Hamish McDougall.
Showers: Tom Wood.
Sheen Park
Saturday September 10 on Sheen Common
Strollers won by 13 runs
Strollers 183-6
(40 overs; Crocker 59, Wood 41, Morgan 28, McDougall 24)
Sheen Park 170
(40 overs; Ovenden 3-31, Wood 2-19, Brodbeck 2-27, Crocker 1-20, Cave 1-30, Morgan 1-30)
After Warfield dropped out at short notice, Sheen Park kindly stepped in to give the Strollers a game. Skipper Mike Morgan won the toss and, faced with untried and youthful opposition on a “pudding of a pitch”, he took the prudent option of batting first.
An opening partnership of 45 between Morgan (28) and Hamish McDougall (24) against a lively seam attack got things off to a promising start. The pugnacious Tom Wood weighed in with 41 runs, but the decisive innings came from the bat of man-of-the match Warren Crocker, who struck an exhilarating 59 runs off 28 deliveries and saw the Strollers home to a competitive total of 183-6. He thrilled the crowd with a blistering array of shots, dispatching the ball to all corners of the field, and was ably supported at the end by Simon Brodbeck, who played a few deft shots himself.
During the Strollers’ innings bright sunshine had been replaced by grey clouds, and there was a brief pause for rain at 60-2.
Morgan’s decision to bat first proved all the more prescient, then, as Sheen Park began their innings later than scheduled and with the prospect of failing light. At the outset the opening batsmen and the fielding side stuck to their respective tasks admirably, and little quarter was given. The breakthrough came with the score on 83 from an inspired initiative from John Turner. Noticing the opener playing off the front foot and liable to pop the ball up on the leg side, he moved himself from midwicket to silly-mid-on. This clearly unsettled the batsman, who dollied a catch to Jeff Ball fielding at short square leg.
The Strollers’ tenacity was exemplified by Morgan, who flung himself at the deep extra cover boundary rope to save the 4, but the fine fielding display was marred by an unfortunate injury to wicketkeeper McDougall. A fierce delivery from Crocker rose sharply and struck him in the face. It appears now that his nose was broken, and we trust that this will mend quickly.
Hamish was replaced behind the stumps by Morgan, and bravely consented to carry on in the field. Indeed his was one of two excellent catches in the deep, taken at long off, later in the innings. The other was snatched on the hoof by Wood fielding at deep midwicket. Nearer the wicket Alastair Macaulay dived to his right at slip to hold a spectacular one-handed catch off Piers Ovenden’s bowling.
Six bowlers were used in total. All played their part in keeping the runs down and chipping in with at least one wicket. Ovenden in particular was well worth his three and narrowly missed out on a hat-trick. As time wore on and wickets fell it became clear that the Strollers’ total was too tall an ask for the home side, although, at 170 all out in the final over, they did not fall far short. They had been undone earlier in the day by the Crocker batting master class.
Sheen Park were a hospitable and amusing crowd. No doubt consideration will be given at the forthcoming AGM to offering them a fixture in the future.
Capt: Mike Morgan. Wkt: Hamish McDougall and Mike Morgan. Match fees: Tom Wood.
Valley End
Sunday September 11 at Valley End
Match abandoned as a draw
Strollers 237-4 dec
(Wood 79, Mawson 48, Ovenden 44no, Clough 35)
Valley End 105-4
(Walder 2-23, Ovenden 1-18, Crocker 1-29)
The depth and resilience of the Strollers' squad was put to the test for the fixture at Valley End. Hamish McDougall (broken nose) and Alastair Macaulay (calf), having placed and pushed their bodies in extremis at Sheen Park the previous day, were ruled out.
Tom Wood, perhaps encouraged by memories of his century in this fixture the previous year, and Warren Crocker stepped into their breeches. In a more positive medical development, Paul Dorrans returned from a long lay-off due to a litany of injuries (ankle, hamstring, shin bruising, handmaid's knee). Intensive physiotherapy and an injection of something Dorrans couldn't name but described as wonderful had got the Wellington volcano back on the park.
The pitch had had the benefit of the Valley End CC covers, the value of which was highlighted by the heavy outfield. Captain Mike Morgan lost the toss and the Strollers were asked to bat on a firm and mostly dry surface. Wood and James Mawson opened the batting in vigilant fashion as the local colts charged in at a muscular pace.
It quickly became clear that the quick bowlers were intent on pitching the ball up. This played to Mawson's strength and he repeatedly drove down the ground in the most elegant fashion. When the bowling changes came Mawson was ruthless on the spinners. Anything remotely short of a length was dispatched back, beyond and over square leg.
At the other end Wood was standing tall, keeping the fielders in the covers and midwicket busy. However, his penchant for the occasional sharp single was too much for his hamstring and he called for a runner.
Piers Ovenden came out to run shuttles on an adjacent pitch as Mawson and Wood carried on in their merry way. The partnership ended on 84 when Mawson, accelerating as effortlessly as a Mercedes heading down the A3 on a quiet Sunday morning, edged a flamboyant drive to first slip.
Russell Clough joined Wood (and Ovenden) and continued the Mawsonian surge, dispatching the ball for six over deep midwicket, long-off and square leg, pausing only to change bats, apparently bemused as to why he wasn't quite middling it. His suspicion should have been reserved for the pitch which was behaving more erratically as damp patches dried. A strange bounce outside off stump resulted in Clough cutting the ball straight to point where a good catch was held low down.
All three actors remained on the stage as Clough became Wood's runner and Ovenden, having run for over 120 of the Strollers' 140-2, now got to face a delivery. Another fruitful partnership developed and the score moved on to 209 when Wood, anticipating the declaration, stepped back to larrup one through cover point and was castled.
Crocker, on the strength of his promenade of fireworks the previous day, was promoted as a pinch hitter. When he was caught at deep midwicket Morgan declared and the teams retired for tea.
When the teams re-emerged from the Jim Binks pavilion it was under considerably darker skies. This discouraged neither side from tilting at victory as Dorrans and Crocker charged in with the new ball and the batsmen played their shots.
With approximately 45 overs to work with, Valley End gamely set off at a run a ball, ahead of the required run rate. Crocker was rewarded for a lively [and otherwise unlucky] spell with a caught behind. However it was the introduction of Aaron Walder (10-1-23-2) that put the brakes on the Valley End innings.
Walder tempted and teased with his flight and threatened with his turn. The bemused batsmen settled on watchful front foot forward defence. This approach was undone when Walder unfurled his ball of the century, hitting the top of off-stump with one that pitched on leg. The new batsman decided his side's best chances of victory lay in attacking the bowling at the other end but swung over a yorker from Ovenden (7-1-18-1).
The match was inside the final 20 overs of the day, with the required run rate creeping up to eight runs an over, when the rain started. The players retired to the clubrooms to listen to the Duckworth-Lewis calculations taking place at Lord's. With the rain unrelenting, and still no news from HQ on a revised target for Valley End, the captains shook hands on a draw.
As the Strollers drove home through showers and fluttering oak leaves they reflected on another strong performance in one of their favourite fixtures. All that seemed to be lacking was a team physio. Perhaps one could be arranged over the winter. Or at least a group discount.
Capt & Wkt: Mike Morgan. Match fees: Tom Wood.
Hurley Saturday
Saturday September 17 at Pinkneys Green
Match drawn
Hurley 198-6 dec
(Allsopp 3-20, Crocker 3-63)
Strollers 153-5
(Mawson 59no, Brodbeck 37no, Addis 18)
Crowmarsh had pulled out of the fixture earlier in the week, so the Strollers found themselves with a double-header against Hurley, this Saturday home match played at picturesque Pinkneys Green.
Jono Addis inserted Hurley after winning the toss. When Hunjan almost cover drove the first ball of the first over for six it set the tone for an aggressive display by the opener, despite some testing bowling from Warren Crocker, who soon found a length and bowled beautifully, swinging the ball both ways. But the openers survived against him and the steady Dennis Cave, and the Strollers found it hard to take wickets on a good surface.
Occasional light showers didn’t help the fielding side, who had to keep drying the ball. The runs kept flowing at about five an over and at 152-1, with quite a bit of time left, the Strollers looked in trouble. Crocker had bowled tirelessly from the pavilion end – 17 overs on the trot was an amazing effort. But the introduction of Laurie Allsopp with his cunningly flighted off-breaks allowed the Strollers to claw their way back into the game. He had Hunjan stumped niftily by Addis for 89 (a fine innings) and ended with 3-20, while Crocker eventually gave way with a handful of overs left, having taken three thoroughly deserved wickets. Simon Brodbeck distinguished himself with two nonchalantly taken difficult catches – the only chances that came the Strollers’ way in the whole innings.
So Hurley declared at 198-6 and the Strollers had pulled the game back in the final phase. But scoring 199 was going to be a tough task with Hurley fielding a strong team in both batting and bowling. Bowling conditions were a lot easier after Cathy Snapes’ excellent tea, as the weather cleared.
Tim Rice was soon bowled by the speedy opening bowler and Jeff Ball, Sam Winstanley and Crocker followed with single-figure scores. Addis had threatened to take the attack to the visitors, but he fell surprisingly caught and bowled for 18. At 61-5, with James Mawson at least holding firm, things looks precarious for the home team. But then Brodbeck strode to the crease exuding an aura of calm. He immediately middled the ball and rarely looked in trouble, with Mawson dealing resolutely with all that the Hurley attack could throw at him.
Gradually the pair took control and the boundaries began to flow. By the time Hurley brought back their fastest bowler in fading light, the heroic left-handers would not be parted. The scoring rate was never going to be enough to win the match after the early wickets, but an unbroken stand of 92 saw the Strollers to a highly respectable 153-5 at the close. Mawson ended with 59 not out, with nine fours, having batted through the 40 overs, and Brodbeck with 37 not out. A good day, considering the frequent threat from the weather, and a good result.
Capt and wkt: Jono Addis. Match fees: Simon Brodbeck.
Hurley Sunday
Sunday September 18 at Hurley
Match drawn
Hurley 180-9 dec
(Brodbeck 3-42, Hodgson 3-44, Allsopp 1-21, Ovenden 1-33, Turner 1-36)
Strollers 178-8
(Addis 46, Ovenden 41, McDougall 37, Hodgson 14no)
Hamish McDougall’s long march into the record books began on April 17, 2011, at Great Missenden when, opening the Strollers innings, he was dismissed for two. In his next outing, against Braywood a week later, things got even worse when he was caught behind without scoring.
A few sunlit (?) months later and McDougall came into the match at Hurley on September 18 needing 62 runs to be only the third Stroller to record 1,000 runs in a season. Handicapped by a broken nose – courtesy of Warren Crocker’s bowling at Sheen Park the week before – McDougall bravely insisted on playing. But could our hero reach the finishing line before flying off to New Zealand next Friday?
Temporary skipper No I, Jeff Ball, walked out to toss in the absence of the delayed Jim Hodgson – “I’m not far away; I am on a dual carriageway somewhere” he reported in a telephone message. Ball returned to the pavilion to announce that he had won the toss and inserted the opposition. Before being assaulted by his team-mates, he confessed: “I actually lost the toss; and we’re still fielding.”
Temporary skipper No2, Jono Addis, was about to take control of events when Hodgson eventually appeared - just in time to lead the side out and to bowl 15 overs off the reel, producing figures of 15-2-44-3. Piers Ovenden opened with the skipper and his contribution of 12-0-27-1 meant that Hurley never got away.
Then Simon Brodbeck joined the attack and thanks to three fine catches by Hodgson, Addis and Jeff Ball soon had three victims which, if not exactly deserved were still welcome.
At 102-7 Hurley were down, but not quite out. Then came the bad news…a belligerent 50 from their skipper. The good news was that when the declaration eventually came at 180-9 there were plenty of runs for McDougall to chase. Hurley’s Steve Taylor showed him how by passing his own 1,000 for the season on the way to a well-struck 42.
Max Jones soon fell in the Strollers’ reply and it was left to McDougall and Addis to rebuild matters and keep things moving at the required rate. Addis fell to the slow left-arm of Phil Ridgeway and then, calamity. When he had scored a dogged and well compiled 37, McDougall was undone by the speed of Shobab Riaz…just 25 tantalising runs short of that elusive target.
But Ovenden kept things going by thumping the lightning Riaz (who has been clocked, legend has it, at 86mph) before stretching out to the inviting spin of Taylor and just managing to edge the ball to the keeper . “In future I shall be greasing the edge of my bat just like the Indians do,” said a chastened Ovenden.
Ten were needed off two overs with skipper Hodgson marshalling matters. But he lost the strike and, when wickets fell, Brodbeck strode in to face the final delivery with three runs required to win. Sadly, dear reader, there was no fairytale ending as Brodbeck, flailing in the darkening gloom, failed to make contact. Result: an honourable and thrilling draw.
The TMS pundits reflected afterwards on McDougall’s thwarted quest. He had scored 975 runs at an average of 57.35; clocked up two centuries and five fifties and his total was the fourth-highest number of runs in a Strollers season behind 1430 (James Timperley 2009), 1191 (Chris Meade 1989) and 995 (Timperley again in 2008; whatever happened to him?).
“There have been no fifties since CERN, so things have tailed off,” observed a despondent McDougall. “But, of course, if you add in the runs I scored for the Bank of England…”
“I blame Warren Crocker [whose blistering pace had cruelly broken wicketkeeper McDougall’s nose a week before],” said a loyal Helen Bamforth. “But if it makes you happy we could always fly to New Zealand via the French Riviera…and a chance of two more innings on that artificial surface.” What a girl.
Capt: Jim Hodgson. Wkt: Hamish McDougall. Match fees: Simon Brodbeck.
Great and Little Warley
Sunday September 25 at Warley
Strollers won by 25 runs
Strollers 207-6
(40 overs; Howard 83, Wood 31, Cave 17, Addis 11)
Warley 182
(33.3 overs; Brodbeck 5-30, Wood 2-39, Crocker 1-27, Cave 1-35)
As the poetic Tom Wood observed, gazing across the sun-dappled, autumnal Essex valley: “It is certainly the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness”….and there was an elegiac mood in the air as the Strollers took on Great and Little Warley in the traditional end-of-season fixture.
But this was no ordinary game. For it marked the welcome return of Marc Friday (whose last appearance was in 2009) and Stuart Caughlin (last seen in 2005). And it signalled the first time Dennis Cave has opened the batting for the club.
Somewhat surprisingly Cave scored quicker than Friday (and it is not often that has been said) as Marc perished all too soon.
As Poet Laureate Wood said: “It wouldn’t be a Strollers game without Marc picking up an injury” and he did not disappoint, driving the ball onto his foot and having to ice the bruised limb. With a right knee that barely operates these days, Friday resembled a one-man episode of ER. He certainly fitted in well, as Piers Ovenden had been rendered almost immobile with a creaking back after spending the night on the sofa (What was wrong with the bed? Ed) and was barely able to man the scorebook.
Wickets fell to deliveries that failed to bounce very much until Wood joined skipper Patrick Howard and the pair put on 83. The partnership was notable for Howard’s imperious driving and some kamikaze run-calling. Everything appeared to be a subject of negotiation and there were some suicidal second runs. One delivery alone resulted in a two runs, a bruised foot and two near run-outs.
Wood eventually departed and Jim Hodgson kept the captain company as Howard continued to bludgeon his way to a fine 83, falling on the final ball of the 40 overs to a good catch in the deep.
A curious feature of the bowling figures was the contribution of Anish: 0.0-0-11-0. How, you may ask? He bowled four wides and two no-balls in his six deliveries (from some of which runs were taken) before he was deemed to have retired “hurt” and one of his colleagues completed the over.
A target of 208 looked taxing until Warley’s No 3, Mahesh Rajaratne, got going. He looked a class above every other player in the match, whipping the ball off his legs and crashing the ball to distant parts. With skipper Dave Gamble to keep him company the pair put on 110 and the chase was well and truly on.
But the willing Wood bowled Mahesh behind his legs – “It did an awful lot off the wicket,” he said modestly – and Gamble was brilliantly caught by Caughlin at long-off.
The last throw of the dice came from Sanjaya Basnayake, who followed Mahesh’s example and struck the ball to all parts until Wood, balancing just inside the line on the distant midwicket boundary, held a magnificent catch.
And that was duly that. Simon Brodbeck mopped up the tail and returned figures of 7.3-1-30-5 to return his first five-fer of the season.
It was a pleasure to welcome back Messrs Caughlin and Friday and to see Jim Hodgson’s elder brother Tom among the spectators. Tom is a curator of social history by profession and there was certainly plenty of material for him to study amongst the Strollers ranks.
Injuries, drama, agony and redemption were all there as darkness fell on the 2011 season. The highlights have been the run-scoring of Hamish McDougall, who fell just a nose short of 1,000 runs, and the all-conquering Three Counties tourists, who recorded the first clean sweep since 1984, thanks in no small measure to Warren Crocker’s 14-4-28-8 against Stanton-by-Dale.
Now all that remains is Wood’s trip to the Riviera…and the long, dark winter of our discontent.
Capt: Patrick Howard. Wkt: Jono Addis. Match fees: Tom Wood.
Riviera Saturday
Saturday October 8 at Saint Vallier de Thiey
Strollers won by seven wickets
Riviera 141
(31.5 of 35 overs; Jones 5-26, Macaulay 2-48, Brodbeck 1-13, Gallagher 1-22, Wood 1-23)
Strollers 142-3
(29.5 of 35 overs; Jones 59no, Wood 31no, Taylor 17)
Tom Wood's gallant band, or at least most of them, assembled in Grasse for dinner with three small boys. Ed Gallagher suggested that the casino, widely regarded as the best in Grasse, left much to be desired.
The morning brought us the England v France rugby world cup quarter-final amid the lavish hospitality and cheese on toast of the Celtic bar. Wales had already beaten Ireland and the Strollers were all soggy with anticipation. You all know the result. But as the chairman said, it's not the winning, it's the taking part. A motto to be adopted by Aaron Walder, who was unable to take part in the Saturday match against Riviera having missed his plane as a result of - well, he may explain if he arrives at the restaurant later tonight, but we hear that it was a rugby-watching and customer service scenario. Chauffeur Wood picked up Patrick Howard from the airport in time for him to win the toss and insert the opposition on a glorious sunny afternoon. A fine day for parapenting as well - the chairman counted 43 at one stage from his position at fine leg.
Ed "CFC" Gallagher, fortified by four pints of lager at the Celtic bar, embarked on a hostile spell and bowled Kaleem through his legs. The niggardly Simon Brodbeck was replaced by Alastair Macaulay who took two well-earned wickets, Cameron and Flynn both clean bowled (after Macaulay had established, twice, that the fielders were unlikely to help his average). Wood, hurt by the opposition's suggestion that they had seen bigger swingers on the Internet, swung one considerably to bowl opener Paul Bacon.
In the absence of the portly judge, Max Jones stepped into the breach, his debut spell proving highly profitable. He bowled Terry Allen and Jonathan Griffiths, had skipper Irfan Ghauri caught and bowled, allowed Brodbeck to claim the catch of young Ryan Allen (much to the chagrin of Macaulay) and had Bill Bentley lbw, his Michelle giving him the best debut bowling figures since British Airways' newest best friend. Brodbeck persuaded Oscar to snick a sharp catch to Peter Patston, and that was that, with over three overs to spare. A good bowling and fielding performance, especially with ten men, and it was noted that the ball did follow Kimball "Peter" Bailey more than might have been wished.
A fine barbie from Terry before Jones and Patston strolled to the wicket. "Orbison" Patston was looking solid but eventually fell victim to a self-inflicted "oui, non, non, non! Merde!" incident for six. Unruffled and elegant, playing a series of fine strokes, Jones was joined by that equally unruffled and elegant player of fine strokes, Brian Taylor - it was particularly good of Brian to come given his commitments on Strictly Come Dancing. The two put on 40 before Brizey feathered an edge from James Bentley to Irfan behind the stumps. Two balls later, skipper Howard smacked Bentley into the covers where Bacon held an excellent catch. Wood then joined Jones (who had reached his 50 in a late bid for man of the match) and bludgeoned the bowlers to all parts, scoring a rapid 31 and taking the Strollers to their target within 30 overs. Jeff Ball was delighted to learn a few new umpiring signals along the way. Bon poisson...
A drink or several with our hospitable hosts, a presentation to the men of the match (Jones and, from Riviera, Bacon for his runs and catch).
Mr Walder eventually joined us for a splendid dinner at the Prejoly and Mr Gallagher's attempts to set up a casino in St Vallier were thwarted, as was his offer to stick his suspicious looking sausage in the chairman's mouth for ten euros. Tactics, captaincy and team selection were discussed, but tomorrow and the limoncello are, as someone once said, another day.
Capt and wkt: Patrick Howard. Chef de Tourisme: Tom Wood.
Tour Treasurer: Alastair Macaulay.
Riviera Sunday
Sunday October 9 at Saint Vallier de Thiey
Strollers lost by two wickets
Strollers 150-7
(35 overs; Taylor 38, Wood 24, Walder 22, Gallagher 12no)
Riviera 151-8
(32.5 overs; Macaulay 3-36, Brodbeck 2-22, Gallager 2-24, Walder 1-33)
“What do they know of drinking who only drinking know?”
– with apologies to CLR James.
Tour organisers Tom Wood and Alastair Macaulay are to be congratulated at being able to muster a full squad from which to select a highly motivated and dedicated team of drinkers for Saturday’s day/nighter at the Prejoly Hotel.
With the exception of Simon Brodbeck, the squad’s Hashim Amla, all had undergone serious pre-season training at weekly bar sessions. These would start with a few liveners, followed by some full-strength deliveries from the red grape and would be completed with a detailed examination of how to deal with shorts, which really test the footwork. Those still standing might choose to finish off with some throw-ups.
On Saturday evening, everyone’s spirits were lifted when Aaron Walder, the team’s professional, arrived. Aaron, who of course practises at the bar for a living, had overcome many an obstacle in his determination to take part in the day/nighter, as has already been documented by Saturday’s cricket correspondent.
Despite knowing that the drinking would exact a heavy toll, the squad had embraced James’ philosophy and had accepted the challenge of playing a second cricket match on Sunday afternoon, start time optional. The game would help give the drinking a social context; drinking for its own sake being not deemed sufficient justification (controversial that).
Nevertheless, the news on Sunday morning was grim. Patrick Howard was unable to play, having basically knackered himself keeping wicket the previous day. Added to that, Alastair was feeling a calf strain, and Tom a “hamster.” Peter Patston was barely able to see. Jeff Ball seemed underwhelmed with the dawning of a new day.
So, ten men at best and, significantly, nearly all the opposition wearing whites; they meant business. With only five men at the ground, Wood assumed command and, winning the toss, he chose to bat. Against a keen opening attack and on a pitch of very variable bounce, Wood and Brian Taylor proceeded with caution but, buoyed by the vocal support of their growing band of team-mates, were able to reach 73 by the drinks break.
Immediately after the resumption wickets started to tumble. Paul Bacon started the rot - Tom chopped on a ball which kept low and then Ball’s mood was not improved when he was trapped lbw by a quicker delivery. Yesterday’s hero, Max Jones, fell in a similar manner to Wood, dragging on a ball which didn’t bounce. Tragedy was to befall Kimball Bailey. Taylor, although widely regarded as a fine judge of a run, contrived to call Kimball for an impossible single. The Chairman was run out by yards. A contrite Brizey denied that at any stage did he say to Kimball that it had been “Nice to see you, to see you nice” nor “We’re sorry to lose you, but you’ve just been voted off.” (Kimball took the run-out with great grace).
Skipper Walder (22) started a counter-attack, particularly favouring the cover drive and useful runs were added by Ed Gallagher (12*) and Brodbeck. However, wise heads felt that a score of 150 was 20 short, especially against a team which was probably the strongest Riviera side that we have yet faced. Others felt that no batsman was ever “in” on this wicket, and therefore we were in with a chance. Some no doubt were musing on how not drinking enhanced their knowledge of drinking. Meanwhile, Howard was whisked away by taxi having enjoyed the shortest Riviera trip yet recorded by a Stroller. An enjoyable tea was enhanced, as last year, by the engaging cavorting of Molly the spaniel and Oscar, of indeterminate pedigree. Wood’s eyes again misted up with thoughts of Oonagh.
In the event, the Strollers lost a game that could have been won. Gallagher tore into the opposition batting, claiming two early wickets. This brought in the dangerous Martin, who has played for France in the World Cup. Appreciating that Martin liked quicker bowling, Aaron turned to Brodbeck and Macaulay to take the pace off the ball. Both had success and, although it was Simon who eventually took his wicket, Martin was particularly lucky against Alastair. Often beaten in the flight he was nearly stumped on a couple of occasions as well as being dropped twice.
Eventually he was caught by stand-in keeper Jones for a hard-hitting 52. At 128-7 Ball commented that “the hangovers had blown away” as the Strollers strained for the last wickets. Ed came back into the attack and Aaron bowled Paul Cullen (yesterday’s half-century maker) round his legs. Following the Chairman’s lead the fielding picked up, thanks also to the late loan of a fielder to make up for our loss of Howard. However, it was Riviera who managed to win a close-fought game. Leading bowling figures were Macaulay (3-36), Brodbeck (2-22) and Gallagher (2-24).
In the after-match pleasantries, Jones was awarded a cap for being our best player over the weekend, and Walder was awarded a cap for being there. Later, an excellent dinner was enjoyed at the Relais hotel.
And so, another season ends with a successful Riviera tour. Strollers drinking is never just about the drinking. It’s about cricket, edgalitarian fellowship, good humour and so on. Bring on next year.
Capt: Aaron Walder. Wkt: Max Jones.
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