Nonington

Match Report

What is it about the Straggs and one-handed catches in 2022?  They are now so commonplace, that they are unlikely to qualify for consideration for the champagne moment. And the game at Nonington was no exception, firstly a one-handed return catch by Tom Burge to (briefly) stem the early flow of runs.  Tom emerged bruised and bloodied from a long dive. He was followed a few overs later by Sef Rahman, another return catch, plucked nonchalantly while the terracotta warriors at mid-off and mid-on, having not picked it up, were wondering who was going to collect the ball from the boundary.  In between these extraordinary catches, Nonington set off hard and were on their way to set a very large target, initially at ten an over, and still going at more than seven by the tenth over. However, the change bowlers, Sef Rahman (2 for 18) and Jordan Godden (3 for 19) began the squeeze, with wickets bringing some of the younger Nonington batsmen to the crease.  They were supported by some very tidy fielding all-round the bat. Archie Brown, on debut, was unlucky not to get a wicket, but the pressure was enough to induce a run out. However, at 107 for 5 in the 24th over, the Nonington South African pro arrived at the crease, and although he was kept away from the strike with some success, when he was there, the ball found its way to the boundary with some regularity. A couple of sixes over extra cover caused the returning Jordan to adjust his pace, the next ball marginally less well struck and well caught by Tom patrolling the pavilion boundary. With Oli Healy bowling tightly at the other end, a final total of 183 for 9 was acceptable after the rapid start. A hot day at the office, particularly for Rupert Plumptre, on debut behind the stumps, for whom the low bounce was unkind.

The Stragglers were also playing a young side and needed to make the most of bad balls.  Sadly, George Long was undone early, which brought a brace of Goddens to the wicket.  Jeremy (14) was just getting into his stride, when the change to a younger bowler along with the low bounce, caught him unawares. Jordan (26) marshalled the middle order, but wickets fell with regularity.  At 59 for 5, the Straggs were under the cosh, but the fall of the 5th wicket brought best friends, Xandy Long and Archie Brown together, and, after a few nervous prods, they began to find some confidence, with Archie in particular bisecting the off-side field with great precision. Run outs never help in a chase, and the Straggs lost both Xandy and Tom in quick succession, and finally Archie was undone for an excellent 32. With a final pair of terracotta warriors, Blair Hart and the Chairman, at the crease, there was hope of some repeat of past glories; sadly, past glories remain in the past, as Paul Betts induced an incautious stroke to have the Chairman caught at mid-on. The final three wickets fell on 113, defeat by 70 runs.