Horizontals pip Strollers to the post in nail biter
posted: August 30, 2010

At the second time of asking it was game on yesterday as the Strollers took on the Walthamstow Horizontals. Having been put into bat the Strollers were 39-3 when a flash mid-afternoon monsoon swept across Ferme Park and caused the (first) game to be abandoned most frustratingly for George who was going well on 23 not out at the time.

Some sharp thinking from Brown Jnr saved the day as the covers were quickly placed over the pitch and, when the rain had subsided, some industrious mopping from the Strollers groundstaff meant that after an early tea, we could try again in the form of an impromptu T20.

This time the Horizontals batted first but, with a soggy pitch and some fine bowling, were never able to dominate as wickets fell regularly and cheaply, Graeme collecting a brilliant 5 for as the visitors were dismissed for a seemingly modest 102.

Unfortunately the Strollers batsmen could not fare any better in the wet conditions, with the top order failing to get the ball off the square at times and after ten overs the score was still worryingly short of 40.

Only a feiry knock from James Connell, mongoose in hand, brought the Strollers back into contention before, on 26, he was finally bowled. Mickey valiantly took up the reins and, despite tumbling wickets at the other end, managed to get the home side within a boundary strike of victory from the last ball.

In ran Winteringham and, for agonizing seconds, the win looked as though it may just happen as the ball shot skyward over the bowler's head. Unfortunately long off held his nerve and took an admittedly excellent catch under extreme pressure to to deny the Strollers what would have been a parity-restoring win for the season. But, a great game nonetheless which, at times, looked highly doubtful to have happened at all.

Gavin Richardson
30.08.10

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