13/06/11 - issue one
The Stroller ‘Best on paper’ Strollers beat Wombles and Whippets easily
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hiswick House, neoclassical Palladian masterpiece and onetime home of the Burlington family, played host to this fixture, but would the Strollers’ performance match the splendour of the surroundings? Skipper Tom Wood was not sure, mainly because his crack squad of galacticos looked so good on paper. He lost the toss and threw the ball to Steve Thavam, who bowled a steady line and length at Warwick, about whom James While had some info: Warwick was in the Wombles and appeared on Top of the Pops in the mid-Seventies. While opened at the other end with parsimonious figures of 42-3-1.
momentum, and Wood picked up Thomas (who had just hit him for a big six) with a grunting effort ball. Generous comparisons to Maria Sharapova were made. The Strollers fielded well with Ransome running out the struggling Tobermory (or Orinoco? While couldn’t be sure). There was some sterling keeping from Andy Clarke and heroic work from Danny Boyle, Miller and John Gibson. A total of 99-6 after 20 overs looked a bit short, but the kit was in Brighton and Boyle had to borrow Wood’s.
In fading light, Boyle and Jono Addis got the Strollers off to a good start and put on 20 in quick time but Boyle struggled The Whippets were glad to see to get Wood’s heavy railway sleeper down on a fast shooter off the opening bowlers but if and was out, bowled for a rapthey thought that would bring some relief, they were mistak- id 12. en as on came debutant Mark Christian Troughton came in Miller, upping the pace and and played steadily, especially tearing into the line-up with a off the back foot, carrying the couple of quick victims. Sam Strollers along at the required Winstanley toiled, Matt Ranrate, but then he went, caught some made sure that the inand bowled for 18. Any optinings never really gathered
mism the Whippets may have felt at Troughton’s demise was short-lived as While joined Addis and they began to knock it around with confidence. While said later that the bowling had been some of the best that he’d faced in these games, but the target was not enough; with the scores level at the beginning of the 18th
over, he struck a six over long -on and stranded his run machine partner on 46 not out. The Strollers had won, which was a relief as it was one of the best on paper sides Wood had ever seen. Wood and Winstanley joined a few of the oppo in the City Barge for a post-mortem and some lager.
NEXT WEEK
FSSCC vs Chobham
Sunday 26 June 2pm