The magnificent 13
The magnificent band of 13 who toured to Estonia made history by securing our first overseas victory.

On the Friday, the Strollers split into two. The bucket of justice decided the teams, and what should the bucket decide but to split the teams into Fat Strollers and Thin Strollers. Fat Strollers weighed in at a conservative 120 stones, Thin Strollers at a measly 75 stones. Estonia also provided a six-a-side team, for a three-way torunament that was also the Strollers first ever taste of Indoor Cricket.

First up, Estonia beat Thin Strollers comfortably, Thin Strollers bowled out for a measly 21. Then Fat Strollers easily saw off Estonia, leaving a crunch decider between the Fats and the Thins. Inevitably, size mattered, and the Fat Strollers went unbeaten to win the tournament.

On the Saturday, we played outdoors in the middle of a horse-racing track. The Strollers XI played Estonia in a test match of two 15-over innings per side, with the Estonians supplemented by the talents of Rob Dwyer (Sean Garvey being absent, injured). Estonia batted first, posting 65 for 5. Strollers secured a first innings lead, thanks to good knocks from Cardoe and Deavin, of 19 runs. Estonia's second innings struggled and left the Strollers needing just 47 to win, which we secured for the loss of just two wickets and five overs to spare, Graeme Holmes and Jeremy Masters seeeing us
home.

The social highlights were too many and too diverse to mention here, though the Drum-Off, Hi-Ho! and 'You've lost that loving Feeling' stand out - and all will be revealed in Graeme's forthcoming film of the tour.

Clive Horwood
07.09.04