Benenden

Match Report

Benenden has been the setting for a number of large and memorable innings, and the Stragglers have set three partnership records at the ground, as batsmen cash in on the short straight boundaries. All was very different in 2010, after heavy rain in the week, which left a stopping pitch and slow out field. A Kiwi opening bat for Benenden seemed to have the measure of the Straggler opening bowlers, and saw them off without too much alarm, but the change pair of Barney Taylor and the Chairman, both well suited to the conditions, ripped out the middle order, and 43 without loss became 73 for 5. The spinning pair of Simon Allport and Alex Denoon Duncan joined in to make it 85 for 7. A late flourish saw Benenden limp to 120 before the final wickets fell some fifty minutes before tea.

Batting did not get any easier, and a heavy shower with a prolonged tea interval did not help. However, bribery by the Match Manager is an effective tool, and Archie Hammond rode his luck to carry his bat for an unbeaten 42, only denied his half century by the same Match Manager, Matt Smallwood tucking into a rather young bowler at the end. Ben Simpson on his Straggler debut, gave the innings impetus just as the challenges of the wicket seemed to be getting too much, and scored a swift 40 to keep us on track for a 5 wicket victory.