Kings School

Match Report

Stragglers gathered at Birleys’ playing fields on another very warm day in what is turning into record-breaking summer – very hot and very dry indeed.  The toss was decided without reference to a spinning coin and the Stragglers found themselves asked to set a target.  Harry Heming and James Felton, who have a history of big partnerships, strode out to the middle.  James spent a while waving furiously at the ball with limited success, while Harry was into his stride more swiftly, caressing two marvellous drives to the boundary.  Unfortunately, Harry was then undone by a serious bouncer, caught by the keeper.  Freddie Evans joined James, and the rate inched up towards 6 an over, the bare minimum required. Kings then introduced a Straggler, Archie Brown, who did for Freddie (17) with his first ball.  Now, as in 2024, much rested in the shoulders of joint Match Manager, George BW. James, still guarding his wicket, albeit with an element of good fortune, was now beginning to find the boundary and together, they found a way to get the total to 139 for 2 from 20 overs, both flirting with a half century, but neither quite getting there – James 46* and George 45*.  Neither Stan nor Arthur were required for a final thrash.

The Kings innings began perfectly for the Stragglers. Tom Burge, returning after a couple if years off, opened with a wide loosener and followed up with a lovely ball to encourage the opener to lob a gentle catch to Harry H at short extra.  Tom followed this up with another in his next over, with similar catch on the leg side, held by Freddie, who has just moved himself there – 9 for 2.  However, this brought Henry Elliott to the crease.  Henry has tormented Straggler batsmen for three years with a long run, ferocious pace and unwillingness to concede a run.  Now, it turned out that in 2025, Henry had become a batsman, and he made the difference.  Tom and Stan were replaced by Sedi Mookapele and Freddie. The arrival of Henry upped the run rate and the chase risked becoming a cruise – the Stragglers needed to get him out.  It looked as if Sedi had obliged, but the catch went to ground.  After the drinks break (taken at 10 overs with the score at 86 for 2), George moved to pace off.  Will Evans immediately too advantage of the variable bounce to keep the batsmen honest, and the Chairman oversaw a run out.  A very small chink of light appeared, when Henry was obliged to leave the field of play for orchestra practice with an undefeated 74.  Will induced a false shot and held the return catch.  At the other end, however, the Chairman was tonked around the park with total lack of respect, to bring the game to a rather hurried end.  Kings reaching the target with four overs left.  Stragglers were delighted to welcome Harry Nicholas for his debut, but with only four batsmen required and the chase ending abruptly, we look forward to Harry’s first over and/or innings another day.