Understaffed Strollers struggle against Bohemians

It was a depleted Strollers side that yesterday came up short against old rivals the Battersea Bohemians in the latest 20/20 ‘day-night’ clash at North Middlesex CC. The side unluckily suffered two late withdrawals with both Alex and Harsh succumbing to illness and injury respectively, and despite the valiant efforts of the remaining nine - which included the welcome return of Messrs Boughey, Ward and Poole to the lineup - it was not to be our day.

Nonetheless all concerned were glad to see any action at all as, after a month of indifferent weather that has played havoc with the fixture list and yet more heavy rain the night before, the groundsman was in two minds as to whether to allow play with the outfield as marsh-like as has ever been known at North Middx. Still, with blue skies overhead and probably in need of the match fee, the officials bit the bullet and set out the stumps on the all-weather track. Without further ado Gav won the toss and, with plenty of bowling options at his disposal, put the Bohemians into bat in the hope of rolling them over.

However with limited numbers, there was little option but to set a ring field, requiring the bowlers to immediately find a good line. Opening the attack, Simon allowed himself one loosener before resuming the metronome-like accuracy for which he is known in these here parts. Unfortunately Ben at the other end began in uncharacteristically wayward fashion, allowing the Bohemians’ openers to attack, although managed to regain some consistency in his second over.

But alas, with the bowlers gaining no help from the plastic pitch, the batsmen were able to work the ball around well enough and take advantage of the gaps in the depleted field. Ben was replaced by Graeme and, sensing the change in pace, the Bohemians lashed out more. At the other end Simon completed a tidy spell and was replaced by Spencer who also bowled a good line, but by this time the batsmen were seeing the ball well.

Although due to the dampness underfoot boundaries along the ground were difficult to come by, some wayward returns and frankly abject backing up cost yet more runs and the Bohemians passed the 100 mark without loss. Matters became yet more infuriating when, in the eleventh over, the breakthrough finally seemed to have come when Graeme bowled Wilson with an overpitched delivery only to suffer a late-ish no ball call, to cries of utter dismay. Wilson’s fifty came up as he dispatched a heave over midwicket a couple of balls later.

At the other end Hayley also brought up his fifty as the Bohemians powered on. Mikey took over from Graeme at the far end with some accurate pace bowling and Spencer finished his spell with some variation and spin but it was not enough to prevent the score reaching 150. Then, finally, with Ben back in the attack, some sharp thinking from Spencer saw Wilson fall short of his ground, run out for 53 with the score on 156.

By now the Strollers were fielding better, with Jez, Spencer and Mikey in particular doing fine work in the outfield. With just 9 more runs added to the total Ben chimed in with the second wicket as Bohemians’ skipper Meier was clean bowled. Hayley’s fine knock of 85 came to an end a few balls later with another run out as once again Spencer returned a quick throw to Andy, deputizing behind the stumps, who did well to collect the ball overhead and dislodge the bails in a single move. No score was added before the Bohemians’ innings closed on 173 but despite the flurry of late wickets, it was clear the Strollers had given themselves much to do.

With Harsh out of the side Gav promoted himself to open the innings with Spencer and began in solid enough fashion until, with the score on 16, he took a swing at a low ball from Cooke which was not there to be swung at and was bowled. However Spencer was looking in good touch as was Graeme, batting at three. Both batsmen began to hit their stride with good stroke play to all corners, stacking up up a healthy run rate that brought the 50 up in the seventh over.

The swashbuckling partnership sadly came to an end though when Graeme punched an attempted cover drive straight to Meier, much to his frustration. Mikey, next in, looked to continue the onslaught, but after a couple of well timed boundaries, ran himself out in an eager attempt to push the score along. Having made 29, Spencer also fell shortly afterwards having been trapped LBW by Lineker and bringing to an end his last innings for several weeks as he heads off to America for the summer … much missed he will be!

Despite the onsetting gloom (both overhead and in the growing realization that the game had all but gone) some cheer was brought at the sight of Popsy once more striding out to the middle for the first time since his memorable century against the Horizontals three years previously. Joining Andy at the crease the onlookers were treated to a cameo of vintage Strollers batting with both demonstrating a graceful array of shots and some neat running between the wickets and, securing 100 on the scoreboard, ensuring the innings had a degree of respectability about it.

However it was the Bohemians’ veteran Rob Archdale that unseated Andy, bowling him through the gate and Jez followed in identical fashion next ball. Determined to fight fire with fire, Popsy too was bowled shortly after as he attempted a swing at Raymond – hopefully we will not have to wait another three years before we see his next innings!

In the rapidly failing light, the last wicket stand was not destined to last as Ben ran out Simon, closing the Strollers’ innings on 109, some 65 runs short of the target. Sadly the gaps in the side – both in the field and with the bat - had been all too obvious so the win had never looked likely. Hopefully at full strength next time the Strollers will fare better and actually notch up a victory …we need it!

Gavin Richardson
04.06.08

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