Match Report

On one of the hottest days towards the end of a ferociously hot (and record breaking) spell of late-June weather, the Stragglers found themselves demoted to the second XI pitch so that The King’s School could accommodate the MCC Ladies playing the school on the first XI ground. The small group of Straggler supporters found shade under a hedge on a distant boundary. The teams included some interesting family match ups, with Henry and Felix Elliott on opposing sides, while brothers, Dan and Olly Furnival, turned out for the Stragglers after a gap of around 38 years to face a King’s XI including Olly’s son Freddie. Keeping it in the family, the King’s skipper (and Straggler), Archie Brealy, is walking out with Olly’s daughter.

With what seemed to be a strong batting line-up, Stan won the toss and elected to bat. This proved to be one of the high points of the day for the Stragglers, as that strong top order began to melt in the heat, the resilience of youth notable by its absence. Dan Furnival came to the crease with the score on 44 for 3 to roll back the years and play cricket as it was played before the introduction of all this excitable T20 nonsense. Glorious cover drives along the ground, firm forward defensive shots, what was not to like. When Inigo (14) departed after a brief flourish, Olly joined his brother, and a meaningful target was on the cards. The score at the ‘hydration break’ after ten overs stood at 74 for 4. Sadly, as the frères Furnival began to up the tempo, Dan (17) was tempted out of his crease and stumped. Stan followed very soon after, lobbing a very gentle catch to Archie Brealy, and when Olly (32) was bowled by son, Freddie, a target of consequence was no more than an aspiration, the innings closing on 131 for 8.

Archie Brown (also a Straggler) took first strike for King’s and was easing himself into gear, well ahead of the run rate required, when he becomes over-confident with his ‘leaves’ and was skittled by Henry Elliott. Shortly thereafter, Archie Brealy edged behind for Harry Heming to take a sharp catch. The only hope for the Stragglers was to keep taking wickets, but wickets did not come, while runs flowed relentlessly at around 10 per over, the other opener completing a tidy half century. With not many required for victory, Dan was invited to turn his arm over for the first time in nearly two decades. The first ball did not quite find the line required but dragged the batsman into no man’s land and Harry completed a tidy stumping. However, three more balls and it was all over – 133 for 3 in the thirteenth over to give King’s a very comprehensive victory.