With three Smallwoods fresh from Portuguese beaches, three rotating Russell-Vicks, and substantial family support for Alex, Barney, Ben and Archie, accompanied by a picnic lunch in front of the Church, Beneden provided a perfect setting for another Straggler vistory.
The pitch, never easy, but blessed with short straight boundaries and the scene of a number of notable partnerships, was at its most malicious after heavy mid-week rain. The Straggler bowling attack, however, had been so effective in reducing the opposition to a modest 120 all out, that it only needed a couple of solid innings to knock off the target. Archie and Ben duly obliged, although there are rumours of money changing hands to encourage Archie to carry his bat. The no-balls and wides are being reviewed by the ECB to check that spot betting hasn’t reached the more rural parts of east Kent, and the Chairman is considering the future of his favourite Pakistani batting cap.
With autumn approaching and the season coming to a close, an air of heightened anticipation has settled over Faversham, as the MB contemplates his final opportunities to secure a rare Straggler double – more in the next blog.
