On the overcast morning of June 26th, String’s Stragglers, the prestigious Hale Barns touring side, were gathering in Hale Village for a day trip to North Wales to play a 40 over-a-side match against Failsworth Macedonia C.C. at the beautiful county ground of Colwyn Bay.
Consisting of players from all four senior sides, both past and present, the motley crew most definitely had one collective eye on the weather as John Petch expertly negotiated the heavily laden minibus along the M56 deep into the Land of Song. The fact Ben Hicks had forgotten his passport was of no consequence, the team arriving in good spirits.
Mike Hunter won the toss and decided to bowl on a green top.
The 1st XI opening pair of Davidson and Hicks took the new ball and once again bowled tightly, each taking a wicket in their last over before being replaced by Callum Carson and Chris Dodson. They too had the opposition tied down and with the score at 14-2 from the first 9 overs! However, Failsworth started to find the boundary despite the best efforts of John Pope and veteran Robin Grinter, who unfortunately picked up a hand injury spilling a diving catch in the gulley. John Petch then made the breakthrough, snaffling a lightning return catch from dangerman Turnbull (42), then, in the same over, had Sager well caught by Dodson at mid off with a cunning slower ball. Easyjet’s touring pro Andrew ‘Tea Trolley’ Jackson bowled a tidy but unrewarded 4 over spell for 14 runs, and Peter Thorpe and Dan Brocklebank both picked up a wicket before Hicks (2-22) and Davidson (4-11) returned, both bowling spin, collecting 4 wickets in 4 overs between them. Chambers finished unbeaten on 52 as Failsworth were restricted to exactly 200 all out.
Jamie White and Chris Dodson started the Hale Barns reply in contrasting styles. Dodson, obviously targeting Jayasuriya’s record for the fastest one day fifty, played some delightful leg side shots including two sixes before retiring on 52. White played the anchor role perfectly, retiring on 51 and just failing to run out Peter Thorpe (24) despite several excellent attempts. Brocklebank, Jackson and Carson all fell cheaply, and as wickets tumbled so did the run rate. Suddenly Hunter and Hicks found themselves together at the crease, both completely sober, needing nearly 9 per over from the last 6! Hicks smote several powerful shots for 2, and Hunter eased the pressure with a straight six over long on before Hicks was adjudged stone dead LBW to an utterly ridiculous reverse sweep of which he should completely ashamed. As the setting sun cast long shadows across the idyllic setting, in strode the towering Australian Davidson. With 22 needed from the last two overs, the Aussie set up for a reverse sweep from his first ball which, unsurprisingly, he completely missed. With 11 needed from the final over, and the rather more orthodox Hunter facing, the game was most definitely in the balance,. The first ball was a dot, 11 off 5. The next ball Hunter played into the covers and, despite Davidson’s lumberjack frame and the turning circle of a large oil tanker, he scurried back for the second. The third ball was was pitched up and dispatched over long on’s head for 6, leaving 3 runs required from 3 deliveries. The forth ball played into the covers and, again, the pair scampered a second run. Scores level. A quick chat between the two batsmen produced an uncomplicated plan. The penultimate ball of the match was driven straight to cover and both batsmen were out of the blocks like a couple of Olympic sprinters, both making their ground with ease.
A fantastic days cricket, 400 runs and the game won with a ball to spare! A wonderful after-match chicken tarka curry was enjoyed by both teams and really was the icing on the cake. Speaking of cake, Team Manager Strong, obviously affected by all the excitement, somehow managed to deposit his, along with an extra large helping of double cream, all over his trousers requiring the captain’s spare flannels to save further embarrassment.
Both Roger and Jamie White should be congratulated on organising a magnificent day out, and thanks to John Petch for driving safely. A rematch for next year is already being planned details of which will be made public once they have been finalised.