Match Report
Mediterranean conditions are becoming the norm at Bossingham, where the season opened in glorious summer sunshine once again. Winning the toss and electing to bat with a line up of exceptional strength, the Stragglers were poised for a score of monumental proportions, while Patrick Mitchell and James Grant made it look all so easy. However, a mistimed 9 iron well caught under the wires at long off saw the demise of Patrick for 41; the middle order did what so many strong Straggler middle orders do best (collapse); James was then undone by a slower ball to depart LBW for 69; and it all looked a bit like hard work. Rescue came in the form of Archie Hammond, undefeated on 35, Simon Allport’s well struck 28 and a late cameo from Charlie Sinclair. 228 for 8 at tea seemed to be enough.
Toby Sinclair struck in the first over, and, bowling left arm over, used the uneven bounce to unsettle the batsmen. Harry Thomson, fresh from the Brecon Beacons took a couple of overs to warm up to full pace, but was kept at bay. Patrick and Archie both managed to induce a false stroke and pick up a wicket, but it began to look like previous Bossingham games, with a tame draw on the cards. At 120 for 4 in the 24th over, they were content to block it out. However, they had not allowed for the final bowling change, which saw the final 5 wickets skittled for 11 runs, with Simon and the Chairman taking 2 for 13 and 3 for 6 respectively. To cap it all the Straggler fielding was almost flawless, with Simon taking 3 catches, and Mark Lascelles attracting considerable raucous support from the crowd, when he tumbled athletically at long off to start the collapse.
