St Lawrence & Highland Court

Match Report

It was good to be back on the field again, but a great shame that, in this drought affected summer, we have got to August 2^nd for our second game of the season, and have just called off the tour to Paris due in early September. At Highland Court, Patch M managed to lose the toss, so there was the prospect of some ball chasing in the heat of the afternoon on a very uneven outfield.  Toby had other things in mind, and bowled with particular (pent up, even) hostility, sending two back to the pavilion early doors.  At the other end Seb bowled with his usual accuracy and control, before being replaced by the regular Straggler Overseas Pro – the Beetle.  With balls fizzing off the wicket, and an excellent control of length and flight, Alex picked up two caught in the gully by Ben – at 119 for 4 after 21 overs, it was all going to plan.  However, one opener was still at the crease, and began to play some shots, even more so when he had passed his century (in 2019 the Stragglers did not concede an individual century all season; in the truncated 2020 season, two have been conceded in the first two games).  When the 5th wicket fell, caught in the deep by Toby, the score had marched on to 207. With first team batters lurking in the Highland Court lower order, wickets were not always welcome, and Highland Court declared at 255 for 7 after a couple of overs of relative mayhem.  Had Straggler catching been a little more reliable…..

Fred Sharp, 2021 captain of cricket at Kings, made his intentions clear from the outset – this was a total to be chased down, and for the opening ten overs, he and George were cruising.  A flurry of wickets, which saw George, Jasper and Ben all back in the gazebo (no pavilion available in covid) slowed the pace, but Patch Mitchell (40) joined Fred for a partnership of 90 and of rare elegance and timing.  When Patch was bowled with more than a hundred left to score, it was down to Fred to manage the middle order.  Toby (10) clubbed a couple but was not quite timing it; and Al (19) smote a handful through extra cover, easily avoiding the boundary rider – 195 for 5 with 10 overs left, it was there for the taking.  A miscue from Al was followed by a skier from Fred as soon as he had passed his ton, out for 101.  The tail flashed hard but was not up to the task and faded to 227 all out, losing by 28 runs.