Milstead

Match Report

The Stragglers returned to winning ways at the glorious ground at Milstead, when a strong, Young side recovered from a dreadful start to post what proved a more than competitive score. At 28 for 4 in the 7th over, it looked as if the collapses in St. Tropez had set the tone for the season. However, Ben Simpson (apparently unaware of the predicament as he sashayed down the track to deposit his first ball into a neighbouring pond), and Toby Snape, carving sixes over cover, did more than steady the ship. When Toby was eventually caught on the boundary for 62, the pair had added 119 for the fifth wicket, and order had been restored. Skipper Charlie Munton now joined Ben, and pulled out a number of his IPL trick shots, and managed to make contact with a few, although always putting his teeth in the line of fire. Ben fell to another boundary catch for 81, and Charlie (35) tried one reverse too many. The Milstead opening bowler returned to bowl 2 in 2, and then wrap matters up shortly thereafter for 226, with plenty of time for tea.

Coming down the hill with the wind behind him, Ed Prest did a very passable impression of Morne Morkel, and the batsmen never looked comfortable. Coming up the hill, Sam Attwood worked hard on his range finding, which eventually paid off with the perfect yorker. Ed had one edged through to the keeper; Sam took a regulation caught and bowled; Milstead were on the slide. First change saw two more wickets fall – 32 for 5. Will Attwood was introduced and proved that every leg spinner has a ‘jaffa’ in the locker, picking up two wickets, one of which went almost straight up involved a lot of calling before priority of catcher was determined. Generally Straggler catching was not of the highest order, with a number being shelled by the most reliable of fielders, a touch of terracotta syndrome? The bat at the other end had stolidly repulsed the Chairman, scoring a paltry two runs in four overs. With the introduction of Jack Taylor’s occasional spin, his eyes lit up, only for him to smack the first ball straight to Sam at mid on; he departed to a frustrated, “Oh c..k”. Jack then proceeded to tidy up the tail and end with figures of 3 for 4, and Milstead all out for 79. Victory by 147 runs ranks among the larger Straggler margins of victory – 14th.