TDM Burleigh’s XI

Match Report

No rain since February and a track like a road greeted the combatants at Wellesley House. Nigel was disappointed to lose the toss and field, but it proved the perfect toss to lose, as TDMB’s XI ultimately failed to take advantage of the conditions. The rain arrived, drizzle through much of the day and a brief downpour at tea. With the notable exception of Tom Coldman on debut taking 4 for 85 in 15 overs, the Straggler attack did little to worry the batsmen. In fact the bowling was ruthlessly plundered by Jasper, fresh from his hundred at Belmont. He eventually fell four short of a second century, gleefully caught by brother Al. A declaration at 237 for 7 in deteriorating conditions seemed a stiff target.

The Stragglers opened with night watchman Hamish Morrison to keep one end tight, while runs were scored at the other. This proved remarkably successful, as Charlie Munton piled on the runs in the short spell before tea. Heavy rain during the interval encouraged the umpires to call the game off, but, on review, the decision was overturned. Having lost time to the rain, the target was now considerable – 199 in 24 overs. The Straggler run machine was up to the task, led by Charlie, who hit a brutal 131 only to fall in the penultimate over, and ably assisted by the night watchman, Theo and George Baker White, who saw the Stragglers home with 5 balls to spare.