The Turks

Match Report

On a still, warm summer day, there is no lovelier ground in Kent than Belmont, and such a day greeted The Turks, eager to revenge the nail biting defeat of 2008. The Straggler cause did not start well, with 2 no-shows. One was replaced at very short notice by Harry Pattinson, making his Straggler debut. Theo Allport and Jonathan Neame, batting on a fast drying track, opened with great care, as the Turks’ fielders scorned Theo’s offers of catching practice. The stand was broken at 49, which became 92 for 5 in short order, as the muscular middle order fainted in the heat. It was left to Chris Lark and Max Linnington to restore a degree of control, with a stand of 58 for the sixth wicket. However, a final score of 170 never quite seemed enough, with Harry left stranded.

The Turks set off at a gallop, despatching the opening attack around the park. Mark Baker White did send one back to the pavilion, but it was only when Max held on to a good catch at long on, and Chris Villiers threatened a repeat of his success of the previous year, with three wickets teased out, that the Stragglers looked in with a shout. However, the target was always within reach, and duly achieved with more than 12 overs remaining.