St. Lawrence & Highland Court

Match Report

The nine match Straggler winning run came to an abrupt end at St. Lawrence and Highland Court, substantially due to the third century scored in three days by occasional Straggler, Will Hilton, for St.L and HC. The Straggler opening bowlers got the attack off to a flier, as Hugo, somewhat miffed at having his first couple of balls smacked hard to the boundary by a tall Australian, bowled the perfect ball to begin his second over, pitching middle to send the Australian back to the pavilion.  In the interim, Nick W had removed the other opener with a peach of a middle stump yorker, and two overs later, Hugo induced an edge for an exceptional low slip catch, held by Harry Wren substituting for a delayed Kieran.  26 for 3 was the perfect start.  However, Highland Court batsmen don’t let up, and the Straggs were soon going at over 7 an over and beginning to wilt in the heat. An outfield like glass saw gentle defensive prods whistle to the boundary, and most shots were not gentle defensive prods.  Jamie Adams replaced Hugo and knocked over another (79 for 4), and the Chairman flirted with danger at the other end, with a young left-handed who had a lovely flick for 6 off his legs.  Skipper Mitch had his measure and reversed the decision to rest the Chairman and a flick was duly top-edged to George on the boundary, who had long enough to settle beneath the catch for his feet to take root (129 for 5). Will H was now at the crease and beginning to make the bowlers wish they had taken up a gentler sport, preferably something in the shade.  Even with the accelerating run rate, there were moments of wonder, as Patch took off for the most ungainly dive to hang on to a catch just off the ground off the bowling of Jonno Ross.  Brother James Mitchell then bowled the perfect leg break, his first ball in a decade, which brushed the off stump so gently that the falling bails went almost unnoticed.  Will continued his charge and brought matters to a close, when he lifted Jamie back over his head for the six to take his score to 102* and the declaration at 262 for 7.

2022 has seen the Straggs chase quite most targets pretty comfortably, and the top order out today have all been in good touch. However, it just didn’t come together, George and Kieran (17) were gone too soon, and was Joe Gordon, making a first appearance for a couple of years. Hugo and Patch put together something of a recovery, until Hugo (28) played round a straight one. Theo kept Patch company for an elegant partnership of 76, but Patch (43) fell just short of his half century, unable to lift the ball over the cover fielder.  From there the tail was just not going to wag, and wickets began to tumble, Theo for 27, followed by Jamie, James and Jonno (11), albeit with each of them striking at least one lovely drive to the fence. 146 for 5 became 178 all out, when Nick W fell at the last, gallantly protecting the Chairman from the strike, defeat by 84 runs.  After seasons in which Straggler centuries have turned up with great regularity, it is something of a surprise that not one has yet been scored in 2022.