Strollers snatch defeat from the jaws of victory
 
After doing the hard work and bowling out Stumps for 141 in less than 27 overs, Pimlico Strollers, in their inaugural match of the 2006 season, were unable to make the necessary runs and slithered to 134 all out.

It all started so well. Gillies trapped opener O’Shea for a duck, Boughey extracted appreciable movement off the pitch to dismiss Hurst and Krishnan, and then Jake Jackson took a startling catch off K*****’s first ball to get rid of skipper Raj Dhokia – one of the extensive Dhokia clan that populates the Stumps ranks. With a swirling ball dropping over his shoulder, Jake ran this way and that and clung onto a catch that would have been considered excellent at any level of cricket, let alone the one that the Strollers inhabit.

Stumps 32-4, could it get any better? Err, no… The 5th wicket put on 99 runs as Murray and Dhokia J continually found gaps in the field while fielding and bowling became a little ragged in inimitable Strollers style. Dhokia, J had shots all round the wicket, while Murray had perfected only the shovel-pull to leg. This led K***** to experiment with an unusual 1-8 field – without Larwood to exploit the leg theory, unfortunately. And Murray still found gaps to go to a lucky 50.

Trevor bowled tidily throughout while K***** was less than his usual accurate self. Graeme got the vital break-through to dismiss Murray and the next five wickets fell in a rush for only 10 runs.

Still, at tea, Strollers could feel satisfied by their work in the field and confident that 142 to win was well within their grasp. But it was not to be. As the light grew murkier, Strollers found new and original ways to get out. Keiron, completing an excellent day’s work, ran out George, Chris – in his prodigal return to the Strollers’ fold – chipped to mid-off, K***** given out LBW mysteriously, Gav, after a few lusty blows, was beaten by spin while Graeme pulled a leg side full toss straight at square leg. And so it went on. Only Matt provided real resistance. Slowly, Strollers slipped behind the asking rate until 10 was required off the final over. We were all out for 134, 7 behind….so near, yet so far.

It was a disappointing end to a day that had promised so much. Several days later, debutant skipper Boughey is still having sleepless nights as every ball is re-bowled….Yet, to sound like a disappointed football manager, the Strollers can take comfort from the positives. We did bowl a team out, and that didn’t happen much in 2005. And, with a bit more luck, it would have been a victory out of the gates.

Simon Boughey
10.05.06

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