Tonbridge School

Match Report

After a very long, dry spring, the Stragglers kicked off the 2025 season with a very tight match against the Tonbridge 2^nd XI on the Head. With such dry weather, the pitch looked far too good for April. With that in mind, the Stragglers opted to lose the toss and bowl first. Hugo and Sam Gilliland were given the honour and put the pressure on early. Some tidy bowling from both ends kept the Tonbridge openers in check. Hugo (2-41) made the first break through after an edge flew to Freddie Geffen, who, in very un-Straggler fashion, took a screamer in the cordon. James Felton (2 for 30) and Will Evans (2 for 28) came on first change and picked up a few quick wickets to reduce Tonbridge to 55-4. However, as is often the case, a partnership was formed by the Tonbridge numbers 4 and 6, which brought them back into the contest. Some lacklustre fielding in the covers saw a couple of chances go to ground, which should have put the innings to bed. Some notable spells from Archie Barwell (0-21) and Freddie Evans (1-27) prevented significant late damage to the scorecard. Tonbridge declared on 254 for 7 after 50 overs, leaving the Stragglers with a slightly larger chase then they would have liked.

The notorious opening pair of Smallwood B. and Fenwick took to the crease in pursuit of a large total, but Fenwick fell early after a ‘hit-and-run’ from Smallwood, which left Fenwick barbequed halfway down the wicket. Geffen joined the sheepish Smallwood, and it was the OT pairing which put the Stragglers back in control with a partnership of 142. Finally Smallwood fell for a resilient 52 (from 82) to make up for earlier carnage. Tribe quickly joined Smallwood back in the pavilion, and in typical Straggler fashion a collapse ensued (163 for 5).  Geffen top scored with 78 (77), but after losing 4-20, Balfour and Gilliland had quite the hill to climb. Gilliland famously crowned himself as ‘King of the chase’ and informed us he was in complete control. Annoyingly for some, Gilliland proved to live up to this name hitting his fifty off just 38 balls. The Straggs were in touching distance reuiring 19 from the final 2 overs and 8 down. With Will Evans run out with 1 ball remaining, Gilliland needed a 6 to tie. Unfortunately, he clothed one towards the man in the deep and the match was drawn.  Straggs finished the match 249-9, 6 short of a heroic victory, but nevertheless a cracker of a game to open the season.