Honours even at Chippenham
 
The annual jaunt to Chippenham, played this year under glowering skies and interrupted twice for violent cloudbursts, ended with honours even. The usual merry-making in The Tharp after the game was muted for the second year in a row, with most Strollers opting to go back to London and only Gav, K*****, Jake and the skipper making a night of it. So, alas, there are few tales to relate to compare with the Blazey Pond Incident, Futongate or even the Naked Haka.

The day featured Strollers past and present, with the welcome return of Toby Fildes and Julian Marshall (fresh from the Antipodes) to the playing staff. It looked as if Clive would be heaving his considerable girth onto the pastures of Chippenham as well until two days before game time when ill-health laid him low. Toby’s arrival was also delayed, but this time due to air pressure trouble on his fancy smancy Beamer on the M25.

Sean Garvey, whom Strollers all remember for his decorous reluctance to express an opinion and his gallantry towards Estonian ladies, was called up to keep wicket as Matt, Mikey, Andy and Huw were all unavailable. And a first rate job he did.

The Strollers won the toss (again) and opted to field, on the assumption that bowling Chippers all out was always going to be a long shot and thus fielding first was the best way to secure a result. Hopes were high after last year’s epic and history-making win, but the Chippers wicket proved as conducive to batting as ever. Boughey and S**** bowled accurately without ever really threatening and Grumpy Old Man Al Wright slowly accumulated runs with the help of his favoured sweep-pull-shovel shot.

Over 100 runs were added for the first wicket before Simon Heather lofted Graeme to mid off where Gav took the first of two excellent catches he pouched in the afternoon. Al passed the century mark but was visibly tiring (bent double after each run and heaving like an emphysemic on 50 Park Drive a day) and Graeme bowled him.

Scoring was proving more difficult and Jackson came on to bowl an excellent threefer, 7 over spell. The improvement in Jackson’s bowling has been one of the Strollers’ success stories of the summer and he can now generate a very lively pace without sacrificing accuracy. Such was his pace that young Appelyard, all of 9 years old, took guard at square leg and was promptly bowled first ball.

Eddie, who has apparently ditched leg break bowling for his batting, hit two vast straight sixes off Graeme, Darren added some hefty blows and Chippenham declared at 247 for 5.

This was always going to be a big ask, and the Strollers batting time was reduced by the second rain shower of the day. Toby was out cheaply caught at silly mid on before De Dazzler added 28 characteristically stylish runs. The innings really caught fire, however, when Big Gav joined Deavs at the wicket and both began striking the ball exceptionally well. Lofting the ball repeatedly over the bowler’s head – the only way to be sure of reaching the boundary after the rain had slowed down the outfield – Deavs raced past his 50 and the Strollers were ahead of the asking rate.

Darren, who knows a thing or two, kept on the slower bowlers to tempt the Strollers to go for the runs and lose wickets, and this is what eventually happened. Deavs was out stumped for an excellent 76, Gav bowled for 32, Julian caught for 7 and Dickie stumped for 2. With 6 wickets down, the light failing, 11 overs to go and 80 runs needed, Boughey decided to put up the shutters and save the game.

Suffice to say that this was not the most popular decision among some Strollers, one or two of whom expressed themselves forcefully and without reservation on the topic. This writer can only say that when the chance to win the game appeared to have passed, securing a draw seemed the best option.

Gav, K*****, Simon and Jake passed the night in the less than salubrious surroundings of Barton Mills Travelodge. Fortunately a nearby hotel served til late and also generously donated a bottle of Jameson’s to our late night libations, which K***** was happy to claim.

Needing to leave for Heathrow early the next day, Jackson made the unusual decision to sleep in the car and then attempted to drive back to London in the darkness. This was reckless even for a Stroller in the aftermath of a Chippenham game. After narrowly missing several trees, hedgerows and other vehicles, Jake brought the car to a halt, vomited, and then passed out in the car only to awake at 5.30am – perfect time to get to Heathrow.

Boughey slept ill as K*****’s apnea – excerbated by the previous day’s excitement and revelry – was deafening. The breakfast at the Little Chef on the following day brought no relief for the weary trio still left at Chippenham.

Simon Boughey
30.08.06

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