Strollers slip to second defeat of the season as Codicote claim spoils
posted: July 19, 2015

Our unbeaten streak in Sunday fixtures this season sadly came to an end today with a heavy defeat away to Codicote CC on a sunny afternoon in rural Hertfordshire. Despite overnight rain, with conditions set fair Dave — on calling correctly at the toss — chose to bat first but sadly our the touch paper never truly caught alight in our innings. A miserly opening spell from the Codicote pacemen stifled runs and wickets fell with regularity although George (34) and Spencer (28) managed to get some momentum going. After losing the middle order, Dave took it upon himself and led the charge, playing beautifully to reach 45, well supported by Abhi and Gideon, before unfortunately being triggered out LBW off Smith. Eventually we posted a modestly respectable 203, dismissed on the penultimate ball of our 40 overs as, with only 10 men at our disposal, only Mario remained standing.

In response, in a style likening the contrast between the Aussie and English batsmen in the denouement today at the Lord's test, the home side demonstated no such difficulties in playing on a pitch that early on had betrayed some variable bounce. That said, opener Billard was lucky to somehow survive two pretty clear cut shouts for a caught behind and a stumping early on. Eventually, with the score on 56, he finally fell when Couldrey had him caught behind off a probing spell from Tom. But from here on it was all one way traffic as the second wicket partnership marched upwards of three figures before skipper Lucy, having hit a handsome 82, also snicked behind off Spencer. But, by then, the outcome was assured and Codicote romped home with more than 10 overs to spare. Doubtless this was a stronger Codicote side than we have come up against in seasons past and, with our recent form having been so strong, let us hope that today's result is nothing more than a mere blip in an otherwise vintage year!

Gavin Richardson
19.07.15

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