The annual all Straggler fixture has involved a few familial contests over the years, but none have seen quite so many close relatives removed. The Gordons set the tone with reciprocal dismissals, when Joe bowled Alastair for his second Straggler wicket; Alastair then did for Joe with his wide long-hop, a carefully crafted ball, about which Joe had been warned in advance, and which Joe then chased all the way into the safe hands of Jack Taylor at point. Joe was Alastair’s 349th Straggler wicket; very sadly the Umpire had not read the script and denied him number 350 shortly thereafter, when Nige looked very plumb indeed!!
In the end Nige succumbed to the first ball he faced from Hugo, recalled to wrap up the tail. Toby had already lost his middle stump to Hugo assaying a wild yahoo to the first ball of the innings. Nige can take some satisfaction from outscoring both sons – 27 against 0 and 7. Tom Wood, on a hat-trick ball from last August, induced a false shot from brother Jack, but not quite to hand. The Healy brothers remained undefeated Oli (4*) and Nick (1*). Dan Pritchard had also failed to read the script, and remained firm against Rory, going on to see the Fixture Secretary’s XI home with a very careful 25.