Following last week’s storming victory against Foxbury, it was time to back up that performance with an away game. Unfortunately Borden couldn’t raise a side this week, so Beef worked his magic to secure us a fixture against Kent Village League Division 8 side Sissinghurst CC 2nd XI. Admittedly it was borderline tour distance travelling wise, but once we arrived, we were not disappointed – a beautiful ground in a proper village setting and equipped with a bar! Harry managed to dislocate his finger in the warm up, not a good sign initially, but thankfully it was put right by a member of the oppo. After a few painkillers, we were ready.
Having won the toss, we elected to field. Again myself and Rambo took the new ball, and apart from one absolute pie that got pummelled through square leg for 4 courtesy of yours truly, we managed to keep the openers tied down. Rambo struck soon after and removed the opener lbw, before at the other end Rossington put down a difficult chance down the leg side off the other opener. The story of my early season woes continued as a full delivery missed the bat and somehow went over the stumps and I finished wicketless before being replaced by the club’s new-found ‘golden arm’ Paul. Semi duly struck by removing the other opener with a ball that flicks the bail off. At the other end, Mike Chung replaces Rambo and produces an absolute peach of a delivery to remove the Number 4 for 14. Semi does it again shortly after, thanks to a great catch by the returning Muttley. Sissinghurst skipper arrives at the crease and means business and starts to bludgeon the ball to all parts. One-handed Harry comes on to bowl and removes the skipper for 21 thanks to a great catch by Skip at long on, who manages to spike himself in the process. Benty then takes over from Harry and claims another wicket through another catch from Muttley. Mike returns to snaffle one more, followed by a run out off the last ball, and the Sissinghurst innings closes on 95-8 from their 35 overs. Another good all-round bowling performance from the team.
Vice Skip Rossington and Tom Purton open the batting for the mighty Stone, and it doesn’t start well as Vice is caught for 4 and Tom goes for a 16-ball duck. Muttley hits a delightful 4 before perishing shortly after. It is left to Skip and Benty to steady the ship from 12-3. Unfortunately, confusion strikes as Skip calls for a second run that is 50/50 and both batsmen end up in the middle of the pitch before Skip begrudgingly accepts his fate and trudges off for 8. Finally things settle down a bit as Harry joins Benty and they set about the change bowling with some fine hitting and energetic running. The score slowly starts to creep up to some sort of respectability, before Benty is unluckily adjudged caught behind for 18. Joining Harry in the middle is Ryan who christens his new bat’s first scoring shot by larruping one over cover for 6, a couple of 4s follow before Ryan takes a step back too far and literally chops his own stumps in half for 15. I have seen stumps broken in my life, but never a bail split in 2! Rambo joins Harry at the crease, where some great shots and some hustling sees us home by four wickets with nearly 12 overs to spare. One-handed Harry finishes on 27* and Rambo 10* – a great win in a glorious setting.
Harry takes home Big Pat this week thanks to his 27*, his wicket to remove their skipper and being a brave trooper carrying on with one hand after his mishap in the warm up. Ryan takes home the Shitbag this week for destroying his own stumps in the process of his dismissal, cracking stuff literally… Until next week… I’m out
– Richard