Fixture Secretary’s XI

Match Report

With 1 needed to tie an enthralling and high scoring game, Olly Wardman had clearly not read the script, edged a toe crunching Snape yorker through the slip cordon, and jogged to victory for the second year in a row for the Fixture Secretary’s XI. With team selection crafted to pitch father against son, brother against brother and old fat bloke against old fat bloke, the outcome could not have been better scripted. Al put down Jasper early doors, costing an additional 56 runs, as Jasper (62) and George BW (67) raced away at 10 an over. Giles clearly had his mind on the cephalopod delicacy he had brought for tea (sea food has been a rarity at a Straggler tea since the glory days of Parry lobster picnics), and was bowled by Graeme; Patch (53) eased his way to a half century, accompanied by Justin with a languid 27. As the innings closed the touch paper was lit once again by Toby, who blasted 24 in not many balls, including a six into the distance, which had the now slightly shell shocked fielding side pleading for a declaration. This proved to be a mistake as the final ball was thus not bowled at the rampant Toby, and the target set at a very modest 262 for 4!!

The Smallwood trap almost fell into place, with Benny bowling to Al, and Matt at the non-striker’s end. Sadly the Chairman posted Jasper in the long grass on the boundary for the heave over mid-wicket, rather than at short mid-wicket for the miscue. Miscue arrived, straight into (and out of) the Chairman’s hands. An all Smallwood wicket would have been perfect. However, the let off spurred Al on to 57, and the opening Smallwood pair put on 93 for the first wicket, still behind the pace, but creeping up. Both holed out at long on, James Grant waved a back foot in front of leg stump, and in strode Bart. Careful at first, he kept the boundaries coming, aided by Graeme (29). Charlie Simon clubbed and fell to Jasper; brother Henry fell to his father, Eliot; but Bart (74*) kept the chase alive, leaving Olly to face that final ball, and an unlikely win – 264 for 7.