In the week that witnessed Australia crumble to an innings defeat in the forth Test against England at Trent Bridge, every English cricketer must have felt a little spring in their step in anticipation of a weekends game where by they to could emulate that satisfactory feeling of destroying and humiliating their opposition. And so it was to be that upon that fateful afternoon on the 9th August Sandon Strollers, lead out by the ever optimistic captain Thomas Wornham – were full of hope, pride and above all determination to win by a considerable margin.

This was the first time these two teams had come together and after winning the toss and putting Hormead to bat, we set to the task of completing our 40 overs. Joe Coker and Will Budd opened the bowling keeping the run rate to a respectable level, with Coker taking a wicket. It was at the change of bowling that the tempo swayed in favour of Hormead as their first and third batsmen accumulated a comfortable 91 and 100 and something. ’twas in the dying overs that Wornham realised spirits may not have taken a knock when the conversation between two fielders was overheard, taking bets as to whether the 300 run mark would be reached and if this was to be the highest score ever achieved upon the Sandon wicket?

Will Budd bowling

At 40 overs Hormead were 280 something for 2. Time for tea. There was not a great amount to eat but there was a large quantity of vanilla sponge with strawberries and blueberries available.

Bandy and Singh opened the batting. Four minutes later Bandy returned to the pavilion quickly followed by Singh. Tim Paul  batted  third and was the only player to score double digits with 26. The result was a blood bath. Having strolled out to do battle at 1724hrs, the last wicket fell at 1817hrs. We lost by some 240ish runs, not that anyone was counting but we gave it our best!

Congratulations go to Hormead bowler Hammond who took 3 wickets in 3 balls. Commiserations go to the youth on the Strollers side. No one should be exposed to such a whipping, but as I’ve always said “If I’m gonna be the worst, I’m gonna be the best worst.”

Strollers team were…….

Amajit Singh, Ian Bandy, Darrin Morris, Will Budd, Thomas Wornham, David Green, Mark Dix, Joe Coker, Dan Williamson, Ash Mitchell & Tim Paul.