With the bank holiday weekend playing havoc with availability, it was a patchwork Strollers side that took on Beamers at Ferme Park yesterday. With only six regulars in the line up, the remainder of the team was made up of no less than five débutants thanks to frantic calls and email to mates and some canny press ganging of North London CC players — special thanks should go to Tim and Spencer in their efforts to get a side together at all.

But with a full eleven a our disposal (plus Dickie who showed up just in time for tea) it was game on and, with Spencer yet again cementing his credentials as a legendary tosser, the toss was won and the Beamers were put into bat in blustery conditions. However, despite an early drop off Rob's bowling, the Beamers openers looked unflustered and for all the fine efforts of the bowlers and the Strollers field, managed to rack up a hundred partnership without further incident.

But the game changed with the introduction of North Londoner Ted Greally into the attack. Normally an off spinner, Ted took full advantage of his 'bonus game' and decided to have a go at pace. The transformation was remarkable and immediate with the Beamers batsmen struggling against Ted's speed, accuracy and length. With the score on 117 the first wicket finally fell when Alan was dismissed with a wonderfully textbook slip catch off Ted's bowling, snaffled up by fellow newcomer Gideon Reeve. Then came the prize wicket of Simon Kemp - a batsman known to take Strollers attacks apart on occasion - who was this time undone by Ted's pace, much to the delight of the surrounding Strollers.

From here on the wickets tumbled as Ted, exhibiting form and consistency rarely seen in Sunday cricket, clattered through the Beamers middle order. Spencer too got into the action when Rob took an excellent catch at mid off to dismiss Barrie and, with six wickets down, the Beamers were in trouble and at one stage looked like they would have trouble reaching 180. But a late order partnership between father and son Mark and Kyle Pittman restored order to the batting and took their side past the 200 mark, much to the relief of their team mates. Having taken a breather, Ted was reintroduced and promptly bowled Pittman Jnr, collecting a stunning 5 or in the process. Fellow North Londoner Paul Altmann, bowling left arm spin from the top end, also got in the act to collect a couple of late order wickets but the Beamers innings closed on 240-9 off 40 overs - a score, despite the ebbs and flows, somewhere around par.

In reply, the Strollers batsmen struggled. After a couple of early boundaries Gav succumbed to an inswinger from Kyle and Spencer followed suit by chipping one up to square leg. Tim looked in decent nick, adding 21, before he too fell foul of Pittman Jnr's accuracy. Owen failed to trouble the scorers and fell in the same way and, with four down before the fifty had been reached, the game seemed to be slipping away.

The middle order righted the ship somewhat, despite a run out scare that was controversally not given, as Greg and Paul settled in to their stride with some good shots. But with the introduction of the Beamers wily Ralph Edney the progress was halted as Greg, on 24, was bowled through the gate. Paul ploughed on, hitting a series of impressive boundaries but Edney ruthlessly tore through successive partners with guile and consistent turn. Eventually, having added 35 valuable runs, Paul too succumbed to Ralph who, with that wicket, collected a match clinching 5 for (every wicket clean bowled). The game headed on to it's inevitable conclusion but not without an entertaining cameo from Dickie who hit three successive fours off Ralph to prove that at least somebody could bat against him! But when Rob planted his leg in front of the stumps to James it was game over and the Strollers all out for a modest 134.

In the end, the margin of victory was wide, but the game was not without it's highlights - especially in the Strollers bowling department (well played Ted!). Special thanks to all the newcomers who helped us get the game on and hopefully we'll see you in the middle again soon!