Selling

Match Report

A Straggler team of tall fast bowlers on a damp, slow pitch with occasional low bounce produced a close run thing, with almost any result possible right to the end. Stand out Straggler, bowling yorkers at will with 2 for 23, and then smacking a swift 30 was Billy Richardson. Jamie Adams, finally made his Straggler debut (a number of rain related cancellations over the two previous seasons), opened up with Ed Prest, only to be sent off twice by showers. Ed knocked over the off stump of one opener before the rain, and Jamie managed to sneak one past Will Falcon just as he began to dominate. Toby and Billy, on at first change, bowling full and straight, dried up the runs. Harry Pattinson then repeated his success with the ball of 2014 with 3 for 27, one a fine diving leg side catch by Blair – not a feat often achieved by Straggler keepers, better known for their metallic nicknames. Runs just continued to be hard to come by, and at the end of 35 overs, Selling had reached 167, with a final flourish from Gabriel Hamlyn (33*).

George Baker White (31) made light of conditions, opening with another Straggler debutant, Charlie Kingsman, but even George was undone by a ball, which kept low. James Grant (26) kept the score ticking along, as partners came and went, Harry caught by a diving Will Falcon at third man. Perhaps this proved the turning point, as Will had landed on his shoulder, and was thus unable to bowl for 8 overs. Billy and Jamie (12) took full advantage, taking the Stragglers within sight of the target, each hitting a monstrous six. Will’s return saw a flurry of wickets and, at 144 for 8, the match had swung back in favour of Selling. The Stragglers, however, have a regular 9, 10 and 11 for 2016, and with Ed (10*) and Blair (10*) picking the right balls to hit, it suddenly looked so easy, victory by 2 wickets, with three overs to spare.