Strollers fall just short in thriller at Theydon
posted: August 23, 2015

After heavy rain overnight and throughout the morning there was some doubt all round in the wisdom of making the long journey to play new oppo Theydon Bois in wildest Essex. As it turned out we were not only able to get the game on (albeit reduced to a T20 thrash) but in clearing blue skies the match turned out to be nothing short of a thriller.

With only nine Strollers at the skipper's disposal, on winning the toss we nonetheless took the field and turned in a first class effort with the ball with every bowler claiming wickets including a fine 3-23 from Harry and a superb opening burst from Simon who, after collecting the wicket of the dangerous Dupreez, was loathe to be restricted to just 4 overs. With tight fielding all round, including another great catch in the deep from Tom, we managed to keep Theydon at bay as they posted a meagre 125 from their allotted overs.

Our response faltered somewhat to begin with when Dave called George for a run that patently wasn't there, resulting in the fall of the first wicket, much to Brown Snr's chagrin. However the skipper made amends with Spencer as the two managed to notch up the 50 without further incident. Then Spencer uncharacteristically played down the wrong line to a shooter from Tariq and was sent packing, causing much concern on the boundary. Dave fell shortly thereafter as Hyde had him trapped LBW. Gav came and went adding only a few but, from here on, it was the Harvey show as Tom gamely opened his shoulders and hit out well to get us back in the hunt.

The remaining overs were evaporating fast but Tom, despite the loss of Kashif (who was caught and bowled by Hussain), maintained the chase with some sharp running between the wickets with débutant Algie Trotter. However with 11 needed from the last over Tom sadly departed first ball as he swung, missed and was clean bowled by Hussain. Harry had a good go to run two twos and a single but Theydon cut off any remaining scoring opportunities and we closed with Algie also bowled on the last ball merely seven runs adrift.

However, depsite the narrow margin of defeat, we were grateful to have got the game on at all and were very pleased to have made our aquaintance with Theydon, who are a thoroughly amiable lot and, with the invitation for a repeat fixture next season, we will have the opportunity to get our revenge in 2016 — hopefully next time with a full eleven and better weather allowing a full afternoon's cricket. And, oh yes, those LED bails that flashed on and off when a wicket went down were dead funky... the only way is Essex after all.

Gavin Richardson
23.08.15

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