Prestcold
Sunday July 13 at Binfield Heath Strollers won by seven wickets Prestcold 219-6
(40 overs; Hodgson 2-28, Rogers 1-23, Macaulay 1-25, Broster-Turley 1-46)
Strollers 220-3
(35.5 overs; Travis 94, Smith 89, Oliver 14no, Madina 12).
The day began with a trip to Sainsbury’s Local. Cake
courtesy of the Match Manager (and not very punctual scribe) had been requested
to mark Glen Oliver’s 10-year anniversary since his Strollers debut. No time to
contemplate preferred flavours. A swift purchase of Carrot Cake and Vanilla
Latte Cake and this errand was run.
Next stop was Tulse Hill to collect Brad Trebilcock for the
pleasure of a 37-mile car journey to South Oxfordshire. For those who don’t
know Trebilcock, the bloke is blessed with endless beautiful banter. The trip
provided opportunity to hear his insights to the world’s problems and amongst
other topics, to learn the lucrativeness of being previously an industry leader
for the artificial insemination of diary cows in NZ.
The supply of banter was a welcome distraction for a
ruinous Sat-Nav directed our journey via Henley-on-Thames on the weekend of
Henley Festival. Thirty minutes delayed but we were finally again making
progress. Trebilcock was awe-struck by the fleeting glimpse of
Henley-on-Thames, for he never knew a more beautiful town in England and vowed
to return with his sweetheart, Sarah.
News from the ground 20 minutes prior to the scheduled
start came via a Ben Mangham WhatsApp - “Warm-ups going well, looks like I’m
batting…alone”. Newest Stroller recruit Mrinal Madina, a welcome
addition via Maidenhead & Bray CC, offered to take the other opener’s spot
- “I’ll be there in nine minutes. Do you want 1 or 2?” With
complementary stories of train and traffic chaos the Strollers XI assembled nigh
on the start at 1pm.
Our opponents, Prestcold Cricket Club, were graciously
hosting us at their idyllic ground. Looking out from the pavilion, a parched
brown outfield contained a mature tree which stood proudly in the gully/mid-on
for RHB whilst the far side of the ground is bordered by a lush canopy of
densely packed trees. Under the bright blue sky, the verdant contrast between
blue, green and brown provided a subtle melancholic tone to the whole affair.
In the stiflingly hot sweat-inducing conditions, skipper
Oliver lost the toss and the Strollers were fielding first in a 40-over match.
Freddie Broster-Turley and Jonny Waugh took the new ball. Each quickly set
about their intimidatory opening spells, however Prestcold began rapidly
courtesy of Chaz Mayhew and Phil Desbois scoring at close to a run a ball for
the first ten overs.
In the opening exchanges, Broster-Turley was all rhythm and
swing, hustling in like a young Richard Hadlee, whilst Waugh provided the
bustle; think of Lance Klusener in his prime.
With the score on 61, Waugh contrived the first wicket
through a direct hit run-out with one stump to aim at, swooping like a gazelle
on a ball hit to his left at cover-point to dismiss Mayhew for 26. With that
freakish act, Waugh was promptly relieved of his bowling duty, wicketless off
five overs. Shortly thereafter Broster-Turley, lucklessly finding wickets hard
to come by this season, had reward for a top eight-over spell with Desbois
bowled for 31 with the score on 70-2.
Ben Mangham and Steve Rogers were next up to the bowling
crease and toiled away through the middle overs, battling a cautious Prestcold
middle-order as well as the searing heat. Mangham went wicketless in his seven
overs, whilst Rogers showed plenty of guile with his off-spin and picked up
Matt Rosier (34) via a sharp catch from Blair Travis to his left at first slip
with the score at 127-3.
Rogers could have had a second wicket in his spell, but
walked away with a bleeding finger following his seventh over after an
attempted caught & bowled off a bullet-like straight drive by Prestcold
anchor Collin Ferguson. Heroically, Rogers would not be denied his eighth;
delivering a maiden over with all-sorts, toilet paper flapping away from his
bowling hand.
Jim Hodgson (2 wickets for 28 runs off seven overs) bowled
in his usual metronomic manner. During this period the Prestcold innings lost
all impetus after their free-scoring beginning. Alastair Macaulay (1 wicket for
25 runs off four overs) came on and took the wicket of Ferguson, bowled for a
composed 47 to leave the score at 191-6.
A charitable final over delivered by Travis conceded 12 runs
plus four byes and took the Prestscold score to 219-6 off 40 overs. Rowan Smith had
kept wicket tidily throughout the innings and came off very sweaty; the other
Strollers (thankful for three drinks breaks) were appreciative of his efforts.
Travis and debutant Madina were the nominated Strollers
opening pair tasked by skipper Oliver of making a sizeable dent into the
opposition score. Luke and Andrew Rosier took the new ball for Prestcold.
The opening stand lasted 12 overs, notching 57 runs until
Madina was dismissed lbw for 12 off the rapid Luke Rosier. Madina had been
watchful throughout his innings but got one glorious cut shot away to the
boundary. Travis, on 44 and scoring freely, was joined by Smith.
Smith got his innings under way quickly with a flurry of
piercing square drives to the boundary. Travis quickly went past 50. After 20
overs the score was 110-1, exactly halfway there.
After the drinks break, aided by the lightning-quick
outfield, the duo set about the respectable Prestcold bowling attack. Andrew
Rosier ended wicketless. Likewise did the bowling spells from James Prior,
Jonny Gingell, Chaz Mayhew and Alistair Grant.
Smith, seeing much of the strike, began refusing runs,
confident of dealing solely in boundaries whilst calculating his chances of a
Strollers farewell ton. Travis, nearly at a ton of his own, was dismissed
caught & bowled for 94 (17 fours) off the bowling of Kieran Exley with the
score at 182-2, ending a 125-run second-wicket partnership.
A free-scoring Oliver came in at No.4 (14 not out) and with
scores tied, Smith gave his wicket away for 89 (16 fours), caught trying to hit
Exley out of the ground. Trebilcock was left with the glory of hitting the
winning runs, ending one not out (and exponentially improving his Strollers
career batting average).
The weary Strollers adjourned to the boundaryside picnic
tables with umbrellas. A quantity of cold beverages and two cakes were consumed
in the fading evening sunlight. A big thanks goes to our hosts Prestcold for
their friendly hospitality.
Capt: Glen Oliver. Wkt: Rowan Smith.
Match fees: Alastair Macaulay. Match report: Blair Travis.
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