Ah well, holiday in Devon was over – cracking views, relaxing time, but crap weather, and England managing to not turn up for the Euro 2024 final against Spain and deservedly getting beat. Our thoughts turn to the mighty Stone CC to continue the mini unbeaten run.
Our band of merry men had a glorious day out at Foxbury on Saturday. After answering the late rallying call from the Skipper for players, Mike and I gained permission from our respective better halves to make the short trip to Chislehurst. After battling through the Dartford traffic, myself and Benty arrived about 15 minutes before the scheduled start and found out that, after a negotiated toss, we were batting first. We had had a couple of decent results at this ground over the years and the mood was good.
Skipper-for-the-day Rossington and Stumpy opened the batting this week, while myself and Rambo kicked off the first of two stints of umpiring. The oppo bowling started off tight and accurate, but not really threatening to either of the openers and they were able to comfortably score at 2-3 runs an over without risk. I don’t know if it was the umpiring or the bowling which prompted the scoring to accelerate, but no sooner had myself and Rambo been replaced than Rossington promptly hit three boundaries in double quick time! Neither Stumpy nor Rossington looked troubled as they passed the century partnership. What a team we are – at the start of the season, the team as a whole could barely reach 100, now we are putting on hundred partnerships with 15 overs to go!
We got to around 130-odd before Skipper Rossington decided that he was unfit to continue (average protection), claiming his leg hurts or something like that. He called for our Number 3, but Mike was unsure as to whether that was to replace him or asking for a masseur! Eventually the confusion was clarified, and Rossington departed for 75 (from 73 balls), with what proved to be the top score for Stone bagged in the process. With the field spread now, runs were easy to come by – comfortably 4-5 per over – before Stumpy reached his first 50 of the season. He eventually fell for 55 in the penultimate over trying to push the score on. Some hustling between the wickets from Benty and Mike saw us through to an impressive 165-1 off 35 overs.
Various teas devoured, it was our turn to take the field to defend this score. We knew that they possessed a couple of big hitters, so the game was still firmly in the balance. It was the old combo of myself and Rambo to open again, and Rambo struck in the third over with a lovely inswinger to remove the less stubborn opener. At the other end I was struggling a little bit with my length as I was being pulled through square by their other opener and launched down the ground by one of the big hitters in at Number 3. After a third boundary, which admittedly was a bit of a swipe that just cleared Saddam, Rossington announced he had a plan and told Alex “King Louie” East to warm up. Sometimes skippering is luck, but this time it was totally justified as I came off and Alex cleaned up the big hitter for 19 with the first ball of his spell. Cue praise. There followed a period of calm after this as Foxbury ticked along at around 5 an over, with some good running and some decent shots. Alex and Mike bowled well, but with no more luck as the oppo reached 90-2. Drinks followed and we all know what happens… sure enough, Mike struck by bowling their Number 4 for a well-made 35. Paul K then replaced Mike and had an impact almost immediately by removing the Number 5 for 8 thanks to a catch at mid off. This brings in the other big hitter in the Foxbury side who has caused us some pain in the last few years [I may have muttered the phrase “oh fuck” as he wandered to the crease – ed.] and he promptly biffed one past Paul before he can barely move. Benty has now replaced Alex and he gets one to nip in and bowl the remaining opener for 35. The game is in the balance now, but fortune favours the brave. At which point three of us are then despatched to patrol the boundary which immediately pays off as the big hitter tries to launch Benty down the ground, and despite the cry of “oh shit” as the ball sailed towards him, Saddam took a great catch inches inside the boundary. Debutant Dean came on to bowl with five overs left and promptly bowled a wicket maiden, taking a caught & bowled in the process. Benty, who was bowling well, was as surprised as anyone that he was going to bowl eight whole overs. He ultimately finished with 2-26 as, despite a brief attempt at a late rally, Foxbury close on 150-7 to give the mighty Stone victory by 15 runs. A good solid display from everyone in the field, notably Paul who fielded the ball with every part of his anatomy possible and Shreyas who despite not getting a bat or bowl fielded with great enthusiasm.
PotD and Shitbag goes to Skipper Rossington for a fine knock of 75 that set up the score, and subsequently claiming injury and retiring hurt… Was it an injury? Was it average protection? Only he will know for sure… Until next week, which promises to be a scorcher, I’m out!
– Rich