Folkestone

Match Report

Another strong, albeit slightly more elderly, Straggler side turned up in Folkestone, packed with future Snape in-laws (three Martins), to face a strong northerly gale blowing from the downs.  Unlike some 2020 games, in which fortunes have swung wildly during the afternoon, advantage barely moved in favour of either side, and a tight game was only decided in the final over with a misfield. Folkestone elected to post a target and batted with intent.  Hugo, however, made an early impact to remove Nick Ward, averaging 150 from his previous two Straggler encounters.  This seemed to set the tone, with wickets falling whenever Folkestone sought to up the tempo.  With an excellent imitation of a breaching whale, Will Hilton held a hard slip catch off Stan; a mix up and a sharp reaction from George BW saw the back of a well set young batter; and Tim Martin (pater familias) slowed the pace to frustrate another couple. Both Alex and George Martin nipped in with a wicket, and the Chairman, brought on at the death, confused the overseas pro with a total absence of pace, a huge yahoo skied to George behind the stumps.  217 for 9 looked like a target within reach.

Ed Wright and Alex Martin opened and set the tone with a couple of silky drives, but both were gone with 60 on the board.  Will Hilton had arrived at the fall of the first wicket, and announced himself with a couple of big hits, and was now joined by George BW.  Together, they were keeping the score board ticking over, occasional big blow over long-on to keep the bowlers interested, until George (31) edged through to an excellent diving catch behind the stumps.  Will was joined by Joe Gordon, who really did have a train to catch.  Joe tried to retire at the end of every over, only to be refused by Hugo.  Eventually, when Joe struck a casual 6, did Hugo relent and Joe (16*) rushed off to the station.  To popular acclaim the Master Brewer now found himself in the increasing gloom with the weight of expectation on his shoulders.  Facing some sharp short-pitched bowling, he ducked with great aplomb, but neglected to lower his periscope and offered catching practice to the close field.  Jonathan also managed to retain the strike sufficiently to keep the result in doubt until the very last, in spite of Will passing his maiden Straggler ton, and striking an occasional huge 6 towards the supermarket car park.  Five runs required from the final over, the bowling tight, nothing in it, and then a misfield to allow a winning boundary.  Will ended undefeated on 114*, and Jonathan 21*; victory by 7 wickets.