Strollers claim the spoils over Bohos in season curtain raiser
posted: April 19, 2015

The Strollers began the 2015 season with a convincing and satisfying victory at North London CC on Sunday. With an unusual wealth of riches available, we fielded a strong line-up despite the late withdrawal of serial flight-misser Sturm, and even had twelve, that's twelve, players assembled at the ground in time to play. Simon, who had cricked his neck on a train back from Stoke (oh, the perils of public transport), took the opportunity to withdraw and deposit some points in the bank of brownie.

In truth, having won the toss and decided to bowl, we missed his nagging length and probing line as the Bohos got off to a flyer against some fairly loose, early-season stuff from Messrs Harvey and Champaneri. However, Abhi soon found his rhythm and Tom cleaned up opener Jones with an absolute beauty - the kind of ball that his captain and, today, very sore wicket-keeper - wishes he could reproduce at will.

Viral came into the attack and pinned Osborne lbw first ball with a full, fast delivery but that was to be our last success for a prolonged period as opener Hayley and the always dangerous Tony Mitchell, built a lengthy if somewhat fortuitous partnership.

Gav was the unfortunate fielder to let them off the hook on a couple of occasions as the ball followed the big man around (his first flailed spillage at gully being an early contender for dolly drop of the season — Ed). Indeed the very first ball that Gav was placed at short midwicket, he shelled a very sharp chance off the bowling of the excellent Kashif Khan, who was making his Strollers début.

The Strollers turned to spin at both ends and both Spencer and the impressive Johnny Kemp bowled well and exerted considerable pressure as the Bohos looked to kick on and post a competitive total. It wasn't until the introduction of Ron, however, that we got the breakthrough wicket of Hayley as he looped a top-edge behind to depart for 52.

Mitchell followed not long after, run out, after an ever so-slightly amusing (and quite painful-looking) entanglement of bat handle and legs, leading ultimately to a rather pleasing thud. The Strollers assembled around the prone batsman, full of humanitarian concern for his wellbeing before sending him on his way.

We kept it fairly tight until the final over when some big hitting from Singh took the Bohemians sailing past 200 to eventually finish on 219 off their allotted 35 overs.

On what was a bitterly cold day, the sun partially emerged for the Strollers' response which was confidently led by Gav and George who both started well, finding the fence with enough regularity whilst keeping out some accurate opening bowling and building the perfect platform for our chase.

Gav can consider himself very unfortunate to get an absolute snorter from Lewis - one that jagged in, kept low, and was virtually unplayable. To paraphrase old Tom Eliot, April is definitely the cruellest month for batsmen.

Spencer joined George and the two of them saw us comfortably to drinks, the score ticking along nicely and the confidence of spectating Strollers unwisely swelling. Of course, this couldn't last forever and George was run out before he could complete what would have been a richly deserved 50 and it was good to see him bat so well after occasionally struggling for form last season.

It went from bad to worse when Spencer skied Beckett to Meier who took the type of stunning catch that rarely graces our humble games of Sunday cricket. And then from the sublime to the ridiculous, Ron was out for a golden duck playing one of the ugliest shots this observer can ever remember having witnessed.

As the lower order scurried to pad up amid fearful predictions of doom and defeat, it was left to Matt and Viral to turn the tide of the game back in favour of the Strollers. They rode their luck at times, but their brutal and punishing strokeplay saw us glide ever closer to our target. There were some monstrous strokes on display from both batsman and a huge six from Matt over long on particularly sticks in the mind.

Viral passed 50 before playing one shot too many and losing his timbers to Meier but by that juncture, victory was only a matter of time. Just one ball in fact as Tom came to the wicket and secured the winning runs off his pads with four leg byes.

Thanks, as always, to the Bohemians (and indeed to the Irregulars who featured in their team) for a good game of cricket and a very pleasant, if somewhat chilly, Sunday afternoon.

So a winning start to the season and plenty of form found, particularly with the bat. Apart from Ron. And that terrible shot. Which I will never mention again...

David Couldrey
20.04.15

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