Westminster Council
Thursday July 3 at King's House Strollers won by seven wickets Westminster 131-6
(20 overs; Macaulay 2-20, Douglas 1-10, Broster-Turley 1-12, Findlay 1-25
Strollers 132-3
(17.5 overs; Oliver 34no, Robertson 34no, Wall 10, Douglas 10). Continuing the theme of the Midweek Juggernaut 2025,
captain Pete Robertson had to make do with fewer than the usual 11. Having lost
the toss and being sent into the field, Pete’s woes were compounded when
regular skipper Glen Oliver was delayed, arriving four overs into the match.
Oliver at least brought along debutant Brad Trebilcock, playing his first (and
so far only) game for the midweek crew.
Glen, not renowned for his speed in getting ready,
nevertheless put young Brad to shame by making it onto the field an over
earlier, despite both arriving at the same time.
Freddie Broster-Turley and Gregor Findlay opened the
bowling for the Strollers, with Findlay sneaking one through the gate with his
spin to claim the first wicket of the game. Broster-Turley struck the very next
over, clipping the top of off stump, and suddenly both openers were gone.
Next into the attack was Toby Douglas, still feeling the
after-effects of his Strollers debut the week before. Douglas bowled a tidy
spell and removed Otha, smartly caught by Broster-Turley at mid-on. Bowling in
tandem was Rob Wall, relishing the rare freedom of not keeping wicket thanks to
the selflessness of skipper Robertson. Wall sent down three overs of variety at
a positively rapid over-rate. While lively and unpredictable, his spell went
wicketless.
This brought the ever-dependable Alastair Macaulay into the
fray. He induced a sharp stumping to remove the dangerous No 3 for 26, before
finding the edge of the No 5, who played on. His tight bowling, looping arc,
and pressure combined with Oliver’s pace and discipline created chances. One
such moment saw the batters attempt a quick single, only for Trebilcock, keen
to atone for his late arrival, pounce with a clean pick-up and return to
Oliver. The dangerous batter was gone for 19.
John Low then rolled back the years, sending down two tidy
overs. Perhaps more impressive, though, was his work in the field, getting down
to the ball in a manner that would surely have pleased our Lord James Dela Rue.
The Westminster Council innings closed on 131-6, leaving
the Strollers needing 132 for victory. After a brief respite, the chase began.
Trebilcock, with characteristic audacity, requested an opening role and was
duly handed the No 2 slot alongside Wall. Runs were hard to come by, with the
Council bowlers swinging it both ways. Trebilcock’s stay was short, bowled for
just one.
Douglas joined Wall and the pair added a solid 20 before
Douglas, keen to accelerate, was stumped for his troubles. In came Oliver, who
was gifted a life early after skying one, and he made the most of it. True to
form, he counterpunched briskly, rattling up 34 before retiring.
At the other end Wall was plodding along steadily, while
also showing off his powers of persuasion. After smashing the ball into the top
of the keeper’s pads, where it lodged, Wall somehow convinced all concerned
that it was not out. Both umpires and the opposition accepted this remarkable
argument. However, after much sideline debate and a pint or two it was
universally agreed that Wall had got away with one. Justice wasn’t far off
though; he was soon dismissed for 13.
Skipper Robertson then strode to the middle and played a
fluent knock, finishing unbeaten on 34, alongside Findlay on six not out. The
Strollers chased down the target in just 17.5 overs, sealing another solid
victory with only nine men.
Capt and wkt: Pete Robertson.
Match reporter: Freddie Broster-Turley. Match fees: Aidan Selby. |
