MIDDLE ORDER SHOWS PROMISE
The strollers won the toss and, with rain forecast (and more importantly only six present at start of play), elected to bat. Guest stroller Michael Fox opened with George but was dismissed early without troubling the scorer forcing Huw Thomas to make an unscheduled debut at no.3 but after enjoying a
brief stand with Brown was caught for two. At this stage things looked tricky as Betts strolled to the crease. Surprisingly things turned around or the Strollers with some fine shots, a decent runrate and wickets in hand.

However Brown was dismissed by an unplayable ball on 15 and then catches were the downfall of the stylish middle order;taking the wickets of Holmes (14) Betts (37) Waterfield (23)and Moorehouse (22). The Count was unlucky diverting his first ball from outside leg stump onto the wicket with his pad. Gillies had a creditable 13 and there was some doughty play by Boughey (not out 3)and another stroller debutante the delightful Clare (2). Extras took the score to 168 but with 5 overs unused it was always going to be 40/50 runs short of the mark.

A thoroughly good tea was followed by a thorough seeing to on the pitch with the Utopers knocking off the required runs with 12 overs to spare for the loss of one wicket (an excellent catch from Thomas capping a fine debut behind the stumps). Despite some good performances the bowlers were short on
luck and without an early breakthrough the momentum stayed with the Utopers.

A very enjoyable game nonetheless and the batting from the middle order suggests that victory cannot be far away. Bring on the Bohemians.....

Richard Betts
14.06.05

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