Match Report
PRIDE RESTORED BUT THE STROLLERS STILL TOO GOOD FOR US!
Last season this fixture produced our worst ever defeat in our history by 212 runs, so this time at least we were in the game and managed to compete , but the Strollers, fielding 6 kiwis (with 5 of them over 6’2 tall) and one Australian, were ultimately just too strong. We thought we had a reasonable line up with Jordy & Edgar back in the side as well as Andy Marshall & Dave Nash, playing for the first time in a couple of seasons.
On a sunny afternoon, the Strollers batted first and produced their own club record with their top five batters all scoring 40 plus for the first time ever. We welcomed back Dave Nash to form a new opening attack alongside Justin Rowland and both bowled well but anything remotely off line or length against these chaps goes to the fence.The score had reached 91 before we got our first success when Jordy Dyer took a sharp catch picked ‘off his bootlaces’ at mid wicket off Dave, and next over we witnessed a champagne moment for Rob Symondson, when he clung on to a swirling skier, running to his right from long off, off skipper John Willson, who had replaced Justin at the pavilion end, to make it 96-2. We all ‘lost our bet’ on that one. The Strollers then built a steady platform led by skipper Glen Oliver, and we had to wait until the score had reached 179, before the returning Justin bowled the no.4. The quick scoring Mike Pittams joined Glen and they rapidly pushed it up to 247 before Justin took at good catch at long off, from the bowling of Andy Marshall, and the visitors promptly declared at 247.
Bowling figs:Justin R. 11-0-60-1, Dave N. 9-0-48-1, John W. 10-2-32-1, Andy M. 7.4-0-40-1, Ian C. 6-0-35-0, Matt S. 2-0-18-0, Edgar F. 1-0-16-0.
After tea, the Strollers bowling was decent but not that threatening, and with us ‘on paper’ batting down to no.9, we were still optimistic. Despite losing Jody early on, bowled for 8, Jordy D. and skipper John Willson were going along very nicely until John sliced a drive and was caught at backward point for 20. Unfortunately, that sparked a clatter of wickets with Andy falling lbw for 2, Nick F. caught for 7, Edgar steered one straight into the hands of first slip for 1, and suddenly we were in trouble! Whilst Jordy was still there ,defying his fellow countrymen, batting magnificently with several imperious straight drives and thunderous hooks, we were still in with a chance of victory but on 81, another well struck pull shot found the one fielder on the leg side boundary who pouched it. It then became a battle for survival with the overs ticking down. Unfortunately, Justin R., (who is better equipped for .‘bazball’ rather than blocking & leaving,) was stumped for 14, charging the spinner, and next over the normally solid Matt S. was adjudged lbw., but we felt we could still save it- Dave N. joined Rob S. and decided not to block and instead hit a rapid 18 with a couple of boundaries. Good defiance but with 5 over left, it sufficiently unnerved the
opposition that they might not be able to force the win, so visiting skipper Glen, who doesn’t normally bowl, as he’s rather too handy for Sunday friendlies, brought himself on, admittedly off a shortish run but bowling rapid left arm over which swing in late to the right hander. With his 4th ball he bowled Rob off an inside edge and two balls later, pinned the writer lbw, it was all over. We were all out for 172, losing by 75 runs!
A great fixture, which restored our pride, against a very strong outfit but playing these boys is the nearest most of us will get to playing. ‘international’ cricket!
ConcordeFleet Street Strollers 