Band of Brothers

Match Report

Stragglers are well-used to gloomy weather forecasts for the annual fixture representing the Belmont Trustees against the Band of Brothers, but, in spite of all sorts of weather disaster predicted for Sunday morning, players arrived to find glorious sunshine. Jasper won the toss and inserted the BB. When an early chance went to ground, off key Straggler strike bowler, Nick Wright, Jasper’s decision looked rather like that of Ben Stokes at Edgbaston. Batting rather too comfortably against Nick and Sam Gilliland, the BB openers cruised along at 6 an over in the opening exchanges. A change made all the difference, as Angus Hay found line and lift and a way through the defence of Tom Boucher. In his following over, Angus watched a top edged shot fly very high towards the fine leg boundary, looking for all the world as if it was heading into the long grass. However, Nick Wright was poised just inside the boundary to take a remarkable catch and not step over, when the momentum was against him (very much a contender for the champagne moment). Now Freddie Geffen got in on the act, causing enough uncertainty for a skied shot to find a racing Jasper to take the catch. Angus (3 for 13) was rewarded with an LBW decision, then James Pollington was run out (sharp Straggler fielding) and another false shot from Freddie (2 for 37) found a flying Tom Tribe at point – the BB had lost 6 for 50 in 9 overs (124 for 6). To rub salt in the wound, the Chairman then persuaded West Indian test bowler, Shermon Lewis, to offer a gentle leading edge to Jasper at mid-wicket.  The Stragglers sent the BB into lunch on 129 for 7, a very satisfactory morning session.

The sun was still shining after lunch, but the Stragglers did not take advantage of the situation, and the South African number 8 seemed entirely at home, running easy singles and finding gaps to build some momentum. Tom Tribe had taken on enough rosé at lunch to become significantly more airborne and took another flying catch at point – 176 for 8. Then the rain came in anger, bringing thunder and lightning to make a return to the middle unlikely. So it proved, and the game was abandoned at an intriguing point (194 for 8 from 39 overs).  After the game Jasper shared a You Tube clip of Shermon in action with the ball in a one-day international – something the Straggler batsmen did well to avoid.