Stragglers of Asia v Eastbourne College XI – 22 May 2016

Result: Eastbourne College won by 37 runs

Report:

It was a tortuous business but eventually 10 players ventured to the south coast: 8x Stragglers with two guests, one of whom will become a candidate, collected from a match the day before! College square looked, and was, in great shape despite thunderstorms across the south east 24hrs earlier, and the £34M regeneration project in mid build. Changing facilities had been made available in the Drama centre and a marquee served as a dug-out where the Patiala Bowl was prominently displayed.

A gentlemanly 40 over game had been agreed though the umpires imposed the full panoply of one-day rules – fielding restrictions, power plays, harsh leg-side wides and free hits which, actually, made for a most enjoyable game.

Winning the toss, the Stragglers elected to field – the first to experience the rules – 22 extras including 6 free hits! Nevertheless the bowling was tight allowing 6-3 fields throughout which was energetically supported by the fielding. Booth and Davey provided an opening attack of pace, movement and accuracy seldom seen by the Club. Supporting acts of Chakrabarti, Lerwill and Cavanagh’s occasional spin kept the College total to 152 for 10 – under 4 an over; a total well within the scope of the Team.

Following tea in the examination hall, scary, the Stragglers’ reply started with confidence but soon began to unravel with wickets falling quickly and, alarmingly, cheaply. However, Joe Cavanagh stayed firm and it required the others to bat around him but new dawns continued to be false and the Club fell short by 37 runs reaching only 115 before being all out. Not only was the game done but so was Joe – high and dry on 49*

Team Batting First: Eastbourne College

Team Batting Second: Stragglers of Asia

Umpires: Jim Saunders