Stragglers’ of Asia CC v Cross Arrows 2016. Tuesday 13th September The Nursery Ground, Lords
Result: Lost by 122 runs
Match Report
Report:
Selection for this biennial fixture is based on performance and commitment to Club fixtures during the season and, while the deck chairs needed rearranging a few times, a properly balanced and competitive XI arrived at Lords ground on a bright hot morning brimming with confidence. The unavailability of attack bowling members saw a strong batting line-up supported by three guest bowlers, two of whom have played previously for the Club, which added the necessary spice to test the Cross Arrows.
Fielding first allowed the Club to see that spice early: Darren Hooey, Tom Forsdike and Jack Snape hurried and harried the opposition on a superb track that brought the Cross Arrows out in full to watch. The first 15 overs captured 3 wickets for only 60 runs and then Robert Pollock-Hill started to test the batsmen; a switch of ends and the water break induced the Arrows captain, James Overy, into a loose shot only to see it grassed. He was on 48 at the time and was to offer his wicket twice more before Tom Calder bowled him for a match winning innings of 125. Robert apart, the support bowling failed to maintain the pressure and though other batsmen came and went at regular intervals, the heat sapped the energy and concentration levels with fielding becoming ragged allowing chances to go begging. Even the return of the three seamers failed to prevent the score passing 300 – 308 for 8 off the allotted 50 overs.
Such was the hardness of the pitch and speed of outfield, a confidence remained but with Asif Padhani and Ian Salter miscuing early aggressive shots, pressure to rebuild took hold. Joe Cavanagh (40) and Indy Chakrabarti (37) unfurled some delicious drives to give hope but 4 wickets falling for 18 runs after the water break saw Darren Hooey and the Chairman facing the need for 10 per over as they started. A couple of lusty bows by Darren before a third one was mistimed saw the run rate climb to 16 per over and, in spite of the Chairman’s 34, the valiant efforts of Robert Pollock-Hill (10*) and Jack Snape (17) each off 7 balls, the Club reached 186 – well short of the target, 122 short, when the final wicket fell.
Playing at Lords is a memorable occasion; to play on professionally prepared wickets and spend a day in the shadow of the Lords media Centre is an experience to cherish. Thus despite of coming a long way second, All present this year will take this away with them and the Club will look forward eagerly to the next occasion in 2018 and resolve to be the best.
Team Batting First: Cross Arrows CC
| Batsman | How Out | Bowler | Score | |
| 1 | J Mannick | LBW | Forsdyke | 10 |
| 2 | J Bethel | LBW | Snape | 35 |
| 3 | J Overy (capt) | Bowled | Calder | 125 |
| 4 | D Ironside | Ct Asher (wkt) | Pollock-Hill | 25 |
| 5 | M Edwards | Bowled | Snape | 44 |
| 6 | C Sorenson | Bowled | Forsdyke | 23 |
| 7 | H Lojman | Not out | 22 | |
| 8 | A Wheen (wkt) | Bowled | Snape | 2 |
| 9 | H Cupitt | Bowled | Hooey | 0 |
| 10 | J Cortney | Not out | 7 | |
| 11
|
C Edwards | Did not bat | ||
| 50 overs | Extras: 15 | TOTAL: 308-8 |
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets |
| D Hooey (g) | 10 | 1 | 45 | 1 |
| T Forsdyke (g) | 10 | 1 | 66 | 2 |
| J Snape (g) | 10 | 1 | 40 | 3 |
| R Pollock-Hill | 10 | 0 | 60 | 1 |
| I Chakrabati | 2 | 0 | 22 | 0 |
| T Lerwill | 3 | 0 | 33 | 0 |
| T Calder | 5 | 0 | 33 | 1 |
Team Batting Second: Stragglers of Asia CC
| Batsman | How Out | Bowler | Score | |
| 1 | J Cavanagh | Ct Wheen (wkt) | Ironside | 40 |
| 2 | A Padhani | Ct M Edwards | Courtney | 3 |
| 3 | I Salter | Ct Ironside | Courtney | 0 |
| 4 | T Calder | Bowled | Bethell | 14 |
| 5 | I Chakrabati | Ct M Edwards | C Sorenson | 37 |
| 6 | T Forsdyke (g) | Ct Overy | Ironside | 1 |
| 7 | D Hooey (g) | Ct Ironside | Sorenson | 8 |
| 8 | T Lerwill (capt) | Ct C Edwards | Sorenson | 34 |
| 9 | A Asher (wkt) | Ct Courtney | Overy | 15 |
| 10 | R Pollock-Hill | Not out | 10 | |
| 11 | J Snape (g) | Bowled | Overy | 17 |
| Extras: 7 | TOTAL:186 |
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets |
| C Edwards | 7 | 0 | 24 | 1 |
| J Courtney | 10 | 4 | 31 | 1 |
| J Bethel | 7 | 1 | 33 | 1 |
| D Ironside | 8 | 2 | 33 | 2 |
| C Sorenson | 6 | 0 | 24 | 3 |
| J Overy | 2.5 | 0 | 41 | 2 |