Wickham & Stodmarsh

Match Report

The Straggler juggernaut rolled back into east Kent to take on Wickham and Stodmarsh in the grand surroundings of Goodnestone Park. Another monster total was posted, and, this time, the bowling attack, or, more importantly, the fielding support, was up to the task at hand. An early puncture with three wickets down for 34, was soon put right by Robby George (65) and Archie Hammond (112). In a season of half centuries, Archie posted the first ton in fine style with a straight 6, very much in the normal Straggler fashion at Goodnestone. Patch Mitchell is etched into the W&S psyche having done the same in consecutive seasons. Archie ran himself out, and with a couple more wickets falling, Alex Pike and Simon Allport came together for a final flail to take the total to 288 for 7.

W&S set off with some bravado, but a surprise was not to be. Alex Pike pinged back an off peg, and then Robby George led the way in a high quality fielding display with a fabulous direct hit to run out the other opener. W&S then imploded in the face of two fat blokes in late middle age, as the Chairman (4 for 23) and Simon (4 for 31) tidied up the remainder, aided by some spectacular outfield catching by Angus Ward, Toby Snape and Archie, as well as a tidy display behind the stumps from Justin Hubbard. A victory by 194 runs is the second highest Straggler margin of victory when batting first, only bettered in 1969, when the Stragglers defeated the West Kent Countrymen by a margin of 223 runs.