Second win of the season in the bag!

In the serene surroundings of Winchmore Hill Cricket Club, the Strollers completed their first Sunday win of the season over the Walthamstow Horizontals thanks to an excellent all-round bowling and fielding display.

WHCC is one of the nicer venues at which the Strollers compete. The main pitch, spreading out in sun-kissed splendour in front of a very grand pavilion, is of minor counties standard; needless to say, we don't play there. The pavilion's rather more shabby reverse side opens out to another nonetheless highly acceptable pitch with good wicket and goodish outfield.

In these salubrious conditions, the Strollers batted first (largely because George and Harry Brown and Graeme were still in transit) and got off to what could be called a pedestrian start. Tim played some nice shots and Mickey defended stoutly but runs came slowly. Very slowly. Sometime Stroller Arif Qawi opened the bowling for the Horizontals and recorded the remarkable figures of 7-5-8-2 while from the other end Skally generated lively place and a good off stump line.

Mickey was eventually out for LBW (or not, according to Mickey) for a lengthy six, and, finally, with Spencer at the wicket runs began to come. The latter's absence at university (for the usual round of drinking, fornicating and staying in bed late - good preparation for a Strollers tour no doubt) has been much felt for the last few weeks.

With Tim eventually clipping a top edge to the keeper for 34, an effective partnership had out the Strollers back in contention but thereafter the wickets fell regularly. Spencer departed for an excellent 59, David Couldrey went in exactly the same way as Tim for 5, Graeme for a duck as he tried to push it along, while James was stumped for a duck as he stood several feet outside his crease contemplating the horizon. Only George made any real contribution and his 21 included some characteristic stout blows (no pun intended, really....) but at 152 for 8 off the 35 overs no-one could really claim it looked like being enough.

To win, the Strollers had to bowl and field with tigerish intensity. This is what we did. There were very few cheap runs, alertness round the wicket and lots of chirping. The first wicket fell in the 4th over when opener Porton, who had looked pretty useful, hoisted Graeme to the deep cover boundary. It was the sort of chance that all too often has gone begging, but Tim snagged it to set off great celebration. It energized us all and the ball was rolling.

Boughey bowled very tightly to record figures of 7-1-19-1, bowling the other opener Burgess top of middle and suffering the usual assortment of missed chances which he took with his customary charming good grace and sang froid. The only blemish to this demeanour occurred when Bowett enjoyed another narrow escape as the ball sailed a millimeter over middle and leg at which point Boughey howled "For ****'s sake you jammy bastard" - a comment which was not well received by the (jammy) batsman.

Spencer was soon among the wickets, bowling Murray with a jaffa. Partnerships were started, but, just when they were needed, wickets were taken. Bowett connected with a loose one from Spencer, it sailed towards the midwicket boundary, seemingly destined to be a six, and there was James to take another excellent and very droppable chance.

Young Harry bowled Arif with lovely late inswing and only Winteringham provided any real resistance with a brave and accomplished 48 not out. He too had a real share of luck though as he edged James through to David only for a no ball to be called. But wickets fell around him, Rob Davies picking up a couple at the end before James wrapped up the innings with a ball that was much, much too quick for the last man Skipper.

The Horizontals were bowled all out for 130 off 30 overs, which constituted a highly satisfying performance. There was much joking and ribaldry in the changing room thereafter, made all the sweeter by the knowledge that the adjacent Horizontals were listening to it all in sullen silence.

Simon Boughey
21.06.10

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