Folkestone

Match Report

What looked like a ferociously strong Straggler batting line up arrived at Folkestone, and Fred Sharp (33) set off at a gallop. However, with the honourable exception of Tom McCarty (19), who clung on grimly as the middle order evaporated, form seemed to have deserted those recently scoring at will and keeping the most hostile of attacks at bay. Tom Tribe (12) made it to double figures, and Hugo (22) tried to set the tail alight, but neither managed to build an innings, and four ducks didn’t help. 111 all out in the 24th over, of a possible 40, was unlikely to prove an adequate target, and contenders for the batting awards failed to add substance to their challenge.

However, a game is not done until both sides have batted, and hope was kindled early in the Folkestone innings, firstly as Jasper Williams (1 for 22) encouraged an opener to follow a wide one and lob a catch to Joe Gordon (and to take his first Straggler wicket). The following ball from James Felton was smashed into the covers only for skipper Al to pick up a screamer of a catch (champagne moment?) – 6 for 2 was just what was needed. And James (3 for 32) went on from there, inducing two more false shots, gratefully collected by Harry Heming and Fred – 32 for 4. Surely, the Straggs weren’t going to pull it off. Folkestone skipper, Chris Jay came in to join the Aussie number 4, and settled things down.  With the run rate never a challenge, it was just a case of scoring the odd boundary and not getting out, which they managed perfectly well, to put on 59 for the 5th wicket. Harry picked up the Aussie, with Al’s call for the high catch in the covers audible in Calais. But the target was always well short, and a Folkestone victory by 5 wickets was duly notched up with a flurry of boundaries off Hugo, unusual enough.  There always seems to be one fielder guarding the wall on the eastern boundary at Folkestone, putting life and limb on the line; today, it was Jasper, who emerged bloodied and bruised from a flurry of late innings dives on the dry, hard and unforgiving outfield.