Frindsbury won the toss and elected to bat first on a pitch that Alf had assured me was an absolute beauty.However only two of the first seven batsmen (Bassi 17, Winchester 15) reached double figures, and it was largely down to the efforts of the alleged tail-enders that a decent total was amassed.Tom Burt (22) marshalled things in style, while Harry Horsfall bludgeoned the top score of 32 in typical fashion, with an innings including four fours and two sixes.John Tadman struck five boundaries in a vital 23 not out, supported ably by last man Connor McCann who put up his usual solid resistance.
The last four batsmen had taken the score from a shaky 95-7 to a healthy-looking 173-9, and tea was taken with spirits high.The mood was dampened by the news that skipper Rob Peters had pulled a calf muscle, and therefore would struggle to keep wicket (no change there, then).There was a straight choice between senior Peters keeping wicket on one leg, or a fully-fit junior Peters.Obviously readers will be well aware of which option was better, but the skipper instead opted to allow his son to don the gloves.
Frindsbury were well aware that Snodland had a strong batting line-up, well capable of scoring 174 at just over 4 an over.A solid bowling performance backed up by sharp fielding was therefore the order of the day.Was the ever-improving Strollers side up to the task?You bet!
Connor McCann took the “new” ball, and was absolutely superb.I have seen virtually all of his bowling performances in his time at the club, and this was easily the best.The Snodland batsmen simply could not get him away, and he bowled his full entitlement in two spells to record highly-impressive figures of 8-4-14-1.With Raj Bassi (7-2-20-0) keeping things tight at the other end, Snodland had to chance their arm elsewhere.George Burt (8-0-50-1) suffered the most as the visitors looked to take the attack to the home side on a pitch offering little help to the slower bowlers.However the steady Paul Winchester (8-0-30-0) kept the pressure on, as did the fielders, who worked hard to keep runs to a minimum and produced some outstanding moments of excellence.
First Paul Bistoquet produced a direct hit from justy inside the boundary to dismiss the dangerous Rothwell for a fine 47.Winchy threw down the stumps superbly to run out Nye and secure the ninth wicket, and Tom Burt held on to two (out of three) catches – one off each of his brothers.Behind the stumps Peters junior took two catches (well actually he took three, but one wasn’t given) and dropped three – none of which could be classed as straightforward (unless you ask the bowlers).
However pride of place must go to John Tadman, who in one moment epitomised the whole concept of this year’s Strollers side.Midway through the Snodland innings, Tadman snr suddenly starting sprinting towards the clubhouse like a greyhound out of a trap.George and Ray Burt were, like the rest of us, unsure what was occurring, but probably assumed (quite reasonably) that he had decided he could go no longer without beer, and was heading off for a quick pint.They therefore set about trying to apprehend him, effecting what appeared to be a mini pincer movement in an attempt to cut him off before he crossed the boundary line and potentially caused injury to innocent bystanders blocking his path.
However we needn’t have worried.It soon became clear that with the Burt boys trailing in his wake JT was in fact chasing after the ball.He gathered cleanly in front of the boundary, and fired in to the bowler’s end to save two precious runs.It also transpires that the Burts had been chasing hard to catch up with him to assist if needed - inspirational stuff and an excellent example of one of the main reasons why the Strollers side has been doing so well this season.
Despite the tight bowling and sharp fielding Snodland always managed to stay just below the required run-rate, so Frindsbury knew that taking wickets would be essential. Step forward Ray Burt, who this season has come up trumps time and again when a breakthrough has been needed.Today was his day, as everything clicked into place and he reaped the benefits of all the hard work he has put in changing his run up and perfecting a variety of different deliveries.His figures of 7.2-2-20-6 speak for themselves, and he wrapped up victory by clean-bowling last man Watts with Snodland still 17 short of Frindsbury’s score.
Thanks today to Lorraine Burt for helping “she-who-must-be -obeyed” with the teas (and of course to SWMBO for providing a fine spread).Thanks to Anita Blown for running the bar, and to Laura Winchester and Anita for the post-match BBQ.Finally thanks to Sam Budd for helping to umpire.
