Bossingham

Match Report

Blessed with warm sunshine for a second year, Bossingham again proved tenacious as the season began again with a drawn game. On a track with variable bounce, the Straggler opening pair of Theo Allport and Toto Berger were quickly parted, and apart from a lusty 34 from Bertie Berger, the powerful middle order did not offer much more support. Theo, batting initially with circumspection, eased his way to 50, and then, joined by the newly bionic Jamie Lavers, hit a couple of straight sixes to prove he was in fine touch before reaching his first century for the Stragglers, and indeed in any form of cricket. The Stragglers were now comfortably placed on 211 for 5. A late flourish from the tail, with David Santa Olalla, remaining undefeated again, took the score to 230 for 7 at tea.

Harry Thomson and Jamie Lavers opened with considerable pace, which, combined with the interesting bounce, had the Bossingham batsmen moving sharply to leg. Jamie struck first and then twice more including an exceptional return catch. Toto Berger was almost undone by both height and sunshine but held on to a remarkable catch at mid on, and, within 8 overs they were 25 for 4. A modest recovery ensued, before Simon Allport teased out most of the tail returning figures of 4 for 11, as 5 wickets fell for 10 runs. However, the last pair, brothers of 13 and 15, hung on grimly for 6 tense overs to salvage a draw.