Concorde
Sunday August 25 in Send Strollers won by 75 runs Strollers 247-4 dec
(45.4 overs; Oliver 66no, Love 44, Travis 42, Pittams 41, Robertson 40)
Concorde 172
(42.4 overs; Le Serve 3-29, Oliver 2-0, Travis 2-16, Macaulay 2-33, Baylis-Allen 1-26) The Strollers descended upon the lovely ground of Concorde
on a balmy Sunday afternoon. A few dusty souls were collected from Woking
station after a heavy Saturday session the day before at the All Points East
Festival, featuring a stellar electronic line-up including such acts as the
French duo Justice, Belgian great Charlotte De Witte, and hard hitting DJ
spectacle Brutalismus 3000.
The team assembled promptly despite the previous day’s
antics where we were greeted by a clean cut and laidback Captain Glenory, who
was quite relaxed following a pleasant Thai massage earlier in the week. He
managed to win the toss via extended negotiations with the oppo captain and a
bat first decision was to bless the Strollers who settled in for a rare timed game,
always an interesting format.
Blair Travis and George Love - a duo who had opened
together in the previous two matches and looked to continue their productive partnership
– began proceedings. Both experienced a strong start, slashing away at the Concorde
bowlers who both delivered lovely line and length on a pitch which delivered
very variable pace and bounce.
Both batsmen delivered some striking shots including
delightful cover drives and reverse sweeps. Concorde openers Justin Rowland and
David Nash both bowled lengthy spells with Nash finally getting the better of
Love after an immense display with the bat, with Blair following shortly after a
catch in the deep. Love and Travis departed for 44 and 42 respectively followed
by the next partnership of Pete Robinson and Capn Glen who continued to build
on the positive start to the game.
Some lovely batting followed. Highlights included a
stunning six - which was just tipped over the rope by a fielder’s outstretched fingertips
- and some simply lovely drives. Pete started strong and scored an impressive
40 but alas was bowled by Rowland after a deserving spell from the opener who produced
an unplayable ball which ripped out middle stump. Mike Pittams then joined Glen
at the crease.
The runs flowed as the two stroked ball after ball, the
sound of leather on willow pleasing the ears of the Strollers. Albeit Glen was lucky
in this stand, with three chances not taken. Pittams scored a quick 41 which
included one very large and gorgeous six which cleared the scoring box and
landed in the adjacent rolling field.
When Pittams was caught in the deep Glen was left with no
option but to protect his average, scoring 66 not out on this occasion, and
declare just before tea-time, with the opposition required to chase 247 for the
win. Is it the first time in Strollers history that the first five batsmen have
all scored more than 40 runs each?
The tea was lovely - a special shoutout to the hosts as it
greatly improved the stats of the season. Tea-master James Dela Rue has used
his summer hours to collate the tea figures for the campaign, with some
interesting observations. As of early August there had been 11 games played. In
four games (36%) tea had been provided, six games (55%) tea had not been
provided, with the remaining game being self-provided (9%). A lovely spread only
helped improve those stats, with many sandwiches being enjoyed by all.
The Concorde openers eagerly approached the crease to start
the second innings. And boy what a show was put on by Jordan Dyer. A man with
immense talent, he crushed the opening bowling of Posh Will Baylis-Allen and
Rowan Smith, crunching boundaries all over the park but particularly through
the once nimble Oliver.
The opening pair battled hard but unfortunately only Baylis-Allen
was rewarded, thanks to Pittams who took a great catch at deepish point. It
took a particularly brilliant spell by Jack Le Serve, who served up a lustrous
few overs, taking a three-for and the all-important wicket of Dyer caught in
the deep by Smith.
Jack continued his Strollers debut success from the
previous week and is already frothing for the September fixtures to continue
his hot streak. Dela Rue also pitched in to bowl and was unlucky with a few
tough chances dropped but bowled a solid seven overs on the trot to apply the
pressure.
Alastair Macaulay and Travis were utilised for their
spinning prowess with Macaulay being rewarded with two wickets, including a stumping
from ‘quick fingers’ Love. Travis had an important part to play, applying
pressure to the middle order by also taking two wickets.
With only 10 overs to go the Strollers still required two
more wickets to win the match. Captain Glen took it upon himself to wrap up the
tail, bowling some very quick left-arm bullets to seal the match with 4.2 overs
to go. An exciting end to a much enjoyed game. It was indeed a very happy
ending for the captain, with some lovely hand pulled ales being the icing on
the cake to finish off the day. We stroll on to the Two Counties tour…
Capt: Glen Oliver. Wkt: George Love.
Match fees: Alastair Macaulay. Match report: George Love.
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