Stollers end season adrift in persuit of Pacific target
posted: October 12, 2013

Against all odds, the (very) late season finale against Pacific CC went ahead today with a somewhat thrown together Strollers side (augmented by friends and some help from the oppo) turning out at Wray Crescent, in better weather than we had any right to expect this deep into October.

Amidst a new look Strollers attack, we were able to rein in the Pacific batsmen after they had made a blistering start — captain Siddique smashing a 50 off only twenty-something balls before Gideon Reeve (making a vey welcome return to the side) managed to get one through. From there on the oppo made steady if not stunning progress and we did well to keep them to a total of 222-8 on the bouncy artificial track, George and Harsh getting into the wickets column with some well utilised spin.

Our response was rather more stilted — sadly losing Harsh early on to the leg spin of young Luke Hollinan (apparently a star performer for England Under 15s!), with Gav also struggling to keep the youngster out. However, this he managed to do and with Mayana looking solid at the other end, the pair were able to mount a 90+ partnership.

However with the heavy outfield boundaries were at a premium and the running was, well, not the quickest (apologies, not my currency — Ed). As such, the required rate continued to rise and after drinks the only option was to 'give it some humpty'. However, having made his way to 36, a misguided hoik to Ireland meant Big Gav's stumps could not be put back together again, and from here the wickets started to tumble. Mayana made it to a well deserved 50 but then holed out to the deep. Harris followed shortly thereafter with a carbon copy of Gav's dismissal, leaving Tim and George with it all to do. But with Siddique now on and bowling at a faster pace than anything we have faced all season, the rate became simply un-gettable and, whilst both Strollers batsmen managed to keep their wickets intact, when our 35 overs were up we were some 57 runs short.

Still, as we ajourned to the Faltering Fullback for a pint afterwards we reflected it had been an enjoyable afternoon with the distinct feeling that getting a 'bonus' game at the end of a long season was more than worthwhile!

Gavin Richardson
12.10.13

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