Great Missenden

Sunday April 23 at Great Missenden

Strollers won by 88 runs

Strollers 215-7 dec
(Duggan 50no, Howard 49, Shattock 40, Carter 19, Friday 18, Brodbeck 15)
Great Missenden Pelicans 127
( Wood 6-35, Platt 2-31, Cave 1-20)

The day began in gloom and ended in the bright light of victory.

The gloom came as we drove to distant Buckinghamshire through the rain with, it seemed, little chance of cricket. Five miles from Great Missenden the pavements were dry and miraculously play got under way. Marc Friday carried on where he left off in 2005, carving the bowling to all parts; Simon Brodbeck carried on where he left off in 1992, hitting an immaculate cover drive for four.

But Friday perished going for a wide one, Brodbeck crashed a booming drive straight to short mid-off and Tom Wood went neither forward nor back and retreated to the pavilion. Tony Carter contributed a fluent and merry 19.

Patrick Howard, armed with a gleaming new bat, began to launch the bowling into the trees with some thunderous driving. But having lost one ball beyond the railway line, the delay did for his concentration and suddenly the Strollers were wobbling. Then came the decisive stand of the match with Mike Shattock (40) and Sean Duggan (50 not out) putting on 76 in fine style. Duggan revealed later that his back had gone: presumably to join his long list of other injuries. But it certainly helped his batting and the pair prospered to set up a decent total.

The Pelicans set out on the long march towards a 216 winning target, but were soon tripped up by Dennis Cave. Tom Wood bowled at a lively pace and despite his bad knee ï¿½ just another Strollers invalid in what is already a long list before the season has even begun ï¿½ began to pick up wickets. Kimball Bailey joyously claimed a crucial catch and Mike Morgan captured two slick stumpings.

Wood finished with the fine figures of 10-1-35-6 - his first five-wicket haul for the Strollers - as victory was sealed in the gloaming. The sociable Pelicans provided warm hospitality in The Nagï¿½s Head to round off a highly satisfying start to the 2006 campaign.

*Champagne moment: Who would hit the Strollers' first six of the campaign? Marc Friday headed the betting at 3-1, but it was the unfancied Simon Brodbeck (1000-1) who struck a mighty blow with his new bat, despatching the ball over the midwicket boundary.

Capt and wkt: Mike Morgan. Match fees: Simon Brodbeck

Battersea Ironsides

Saturday April 29 at Morden

Strollers won by 94 runs

Strollers 202-8
(40 overs; Wood 67, Mawson 41, Friday 36, McNamara 32)
Battersea Ironsides 108-6
(40 overs; McKenzie 3-22, Wood 2-8, Friday 1-7)

Woodmansterne, our original opponents, could not raise a side so Battersea stepped into the breach.

On a fine pitch, the Strollers were inserted and the much-vaunted batting line-up carried on where it left off the previous week.

Marc Friday carved away and got out; James Mawson calmly built the innings and produced some fine driving; Ross McNamara on his debut looked as though he had played before and Tom Wood despatched the bad balls over the distant boundary and straight drove with great power. The 202 total looked a decent score.

McNamara demonstrated he could bowl too, but proved a little expensive with figures of 8-4-10-0. Stuart McKenzie dropped on a length immediately and made up for his batting with an analysis of 8-0-22-3. Wood, having pouched a great slip catch, took two wickets in two balls, courtesy of an Andrew Strauss Ashes-type catch from the youthful Simon Brodbeck. Jim Hodgson showed that those hours in the indoor nets had been well spent and Friday claimed a wicket.

Battersea were always behind the clock and they finished well adrift for a convincing Strollers win in a match that showed that the 40-over format does not always produce the best contest.

Thanks to Ironsides; to Ash Bhutani on his debut as the Strollersï¿½ first official playing physiotherapist and to Ivor Fiala, who answered the call at short notice to take up his traditional position in the gully. Even the man who took two and a quarter hours to reach the ground from his north London hideaway felt the trip was well worthwhile.

*Champagne moment: The years rolled away and the youngsters were put to shame as Simon Brodbeck dived far to his right at at mid-off to hold a mesmerising catch. More details, video tape and audio commentary available from S Brodbeck...

Capt: Mike Morgan. Wkt: Mick Morgan. Match fees: Stuart McKenzie

Jacobite Chancers

Sunday April 30 at Greenford

Strollers won by 182 runs

Strollers 237-6 dec
(Wood 53, Hand 47 not out, Friday 42, Gibbons 33 not out)
Jacobite Chancers 55
(McNamara 5-27, Gibbons 3-20, Cave 1-8)

Rain threatened early in the day but the clouds drifted away and poured sunshine onto a typically good Greenford batting track. The Chancers won the toss and inserted the Strollers.

An early wicket brought Marc Friday to the crease. He had been held up in traffic but was not, however, held up in scoring a quick-fire 42, in the process launching a huge six over the main building and into the car park whilst Ross McNamara scored steadily.

Two quick wickets still did not slow the scoring with Tom Wood scoring his second 50 of the season and Sean Duggan adding valuable runs. Another pair of wickets brought Mike Shattock and Antipodean debutant Craig Hand together to steady the ship, Shattock shoring things up as usual and Hand showing an inventive style.

When Hand was given permission to open out, his eyes lit up. The bat was swung lustily and the ball was sent rocketing to all parts of the ground. Stuart Gibbons contributed with some lusty blows of his own, striking four sixes over square leg and the score raced along to 237 off 36.3 overs at tea.

McNamara and Gibbons opened the attack with genuine pace and created problems for all the opposition batsmen.

Friday took a sharp catch at short leg off McNamara to start the procession. Gibbons then took two brilliant catches low down at second slip, whilst chipping in with three wickets of his own, all bowled. Of special note was the slower ball with accompanying Monica Seles-style grunt that did for Ed Black, who had stepped off a plane from Englandï¿½s tour of India to take his place against his old Strolling colleagues.

At this point it was noted ï¿½ despite the fact that the Ashes are currently held by England ï¿½ that all the wickets had been bowled, caught and taken by Australians.

Gibbons was rested and the last wicket put up some resistance, scoring 21 runs, until Dennis Cave chipped in with the final scalp.

The post-match analysis contained some lively debate as to what should be the champagne moment. The batsmen plumped for Fridayï¿½s six, the bowlers for Gibbonsï¿½ slower ball and there were three noteworthy catches. In the end it was a commanding display with bat and ball with significant contributions from the whole team.

*Champagne moment: The mighty grunt that disconcerted the jet-lagged Ed Black as Stuart Gibbons claimed a prize wicket with a sneaky slower ball. Black thus joined the Chris Read and Graham Thorpe club, so no disgrace there. The 182-run win is thought to be the second highest victory margin ever recorded in Strollers history.

Capt: Mike Morgan. Wkt: Mike Morgan. Match Fees: Dennis Cave

Bledlow

Sunday May 7 at Bledlow

Strollers won by 134 runs

Strollers 224-6
(45 overs; Friday 54, McNamara 50, Gibons 37no, Platt 24)
Bledlow 90
(29.2 overs; Platt 5-9, Cave 2-15, Carter 1-3)

The Strollers returned to the idyllic Bucks village of Bledlow after a couple of years' absence - a splendid village setting in the rolling Chiltern Hills, adjacent to the Chinnor-Princes Risborough tourist steam railway line. The match was interrupted several times as the steam train trundled past, belching black smoke and whistling to remind us of yesteryear. Apparently Thomas, a well known tank engine, had been on duty the previous weekend shunting packed carriages of kids up and down the line.

A youthful and enthusiastic opposition provided five highly competent bowlers and some keen fielding including a couple of noteworthy catches, but met their match at the hands of the somewhat more mature Strollers team, who are now on something of a roll with four successive and very convincing victories. Will our 31st season be one to set new records?

In a 45-over encounter Strollers won the toss and elected to bat first on a hard, dry pitch with a fair amount of grass that provided for some variable bounce. With the sightscreen at the Railway End having disintegrated during the winter, the batsmen faced with a scenic bright yellow backdrop of a sloping field of ripening rape seed.

Rarely have we faced a team that tried to sneak on an extra fielder, with Bledlowï¿½s team cat, a rather splendid ginger and white fluffy thing, marching onto the pitch and determinedly taking up position in the ring at extra cover. After a few deliveries commonsense prevailed (perhaps someone recalled that ï¿½protection of minors ruleï¿½) and the beast was carried away to the safety of the pavilion. After posing inelegantly on the scorersï¿½ table she was then christened ï¿½Pencil Sharpenerï¿½.

After the early departure of Tony Carter to a spectacular one-handed diving catch at slip, Ross McNamara joined Marc Friday. Initially he struggled to get going, reaching one by the time Friday reached his 50, although the latter was notably harvesting the strike. Marc continued to bludgeon deliveries, hitting nine fours and a six before being bowled shortly after reaching his first jug-bearing landmark of the season.

This brought in Patrick Howard - revealed as one of the Railway Children after bombarding the rail track at Great Missenden a couple of weeks ago - who entered and took aim at this new target railway track, getting off the mark with an opening forward defensive push which cleared the boundary for six but not quite reaching the line. But he fell a few balls later.

Miles Platt then joined McNamara, and together they forged a half-century partnership, each carefully building against continued accurate bowling. By now Ross was starting to strike the ball sweetly and hit several stylish boundaries, whilst Platt kept pace before falling for 24. Sean Duggan started confidently before belting a full toss back to the bowler, who casually put out a hand and the ball stuck. McNamara reached 50, and then saw a straightforward catch spilled at midwicket before falling two balls later to a fierce drive that was well caught at mid-on.

At 160-6 we needed some more runs to set a decent target, especially as tight bowling had constrained the scoring rate. Those extra runs came courtesy of cameo knocks from Stuart Gibbons, who carried on from last week with a couple of sixes including a ï¿½donï¿½t bother looking for thatï¿½ effort in an entertaining 37 not out, and Jim Hodgson with 14 that included three very effortless boundaries off the sweet spot, one a neat leg glance that gained approval from the pundits in the pavilion.

After Hodgson fell, Kimball Bailey was promoted up the order, surely to get him an average having been next man in twice in the past two weeks. He marched to the wicket armed with a helmet that that had been purchased after a few hostile sessions in the winter nets. But after a couple of clean hits he fell to a straight delivery.

So in at the death came Mike Morgan, determined to make a mark with barely a few deliveries remaining. And he did not disappoint with perhaps the shot of the day, an outrageously elegant reverse sweep to send the final ball of the innings to the third man boundary. Dennis Cave was denied the opportunity to wave his bat.

A splendid tea was served, obviously a ploy to reduce Strollers mobility in the field, which we fall for every time.

With a strong six-man pace attack in the team, the Strollers took to the field with confidence.

Jim Hodgson and Dennis Cave opened, being a bit mean and restricting the scoring in those first overs and thereafter always leaving the opposition behind the run rate. Hodgson, with teasing deliveries just outside off stump regularly beating the bat, prompted three slips, with the ball flashing close to the cordon a couple of times. Cave swung the ball, baffled the batsmen and teased a neat early stumping from Morgan.

This brought in Bledlowï¿½s most convincing batsman (R Chapman) who top-scored with 26. Looking confident from the outset, he looked a real threat.

Replacing Hodgson, Platt stormed in with pace and accuracy that proved too much for the Bledlow batsman, ripping the heart out of the innings. After seeing a couple of sharp chances go down, Platt instead took aim at the stumps and sensationally ripped out five batsmen, all bowled, all middle stump, including the key wicket of Chapman. Not often do we see a five-wicket jug being bought without any assists! His initial fine spell of four wickets was brought to an end when, in surely one of the seasonï¿½s moments of insensitive captaincy, skipper Morgan took him off when he was on a hat-trick (but perhaps it was a compliment that he was deemed too good for the opposition).

With three wickets remaining and the opposition still 150 short, the skipper tossed the ball to Tony Carter for one over. Remember his famous first wicket for the Strollers occurred on the same ground five years earlier whilst at the other end Jim Hodgson had been struggling to capture his tenth wicket of that innings (still in the record books). After softening the batsman with a couple of two-bounce yorkers, he was then jubilant when a somewhat fuller delivery was skied to Friday at slip.

After a couple more overs from Howard, Platt was again unleashed, missed out on the hat-trick delivery but only took eight deliveries to capture the final wicket to finish with fine figures of 5.2-1-9-5 and lead the Strollers off to a round of applause.

In the after-match celebrations the Strollersï¿½ Antipodean contingent enjoyed and demonstrated much greater prowess at catching a rugby ball as it was booted across the pitch. If only we could catch a cricket ballï¿½

So, four games into the season, Strollers have produced four very convincing victories. Can we keep it up?

*Champagne moment: Mike Morgan's last-ball reverse sweep that had everyone laughing all the way back to the pavilion with him grinning like a Cheshire cat.

Capt & Wkt: Mike Morgan. Match Fees: Sean Duggan.

*The Antipodean contingent would like it noted that they were catching an Australian Rules football (highest form of football played) as opposed to the lowly rugby ball.

Jordans Taverners

Saturday May 13 at Seer Green

Strollers won by 100 runs

Strollers 115
(34.3 overs; Hodgson 40, Hart 23)
Jordans Taverners 15
(Cave 5-7, Wood 3-1)

The Strollers began the day with the seasonï¿½s tally standing at played four, won four. At 2.55pm the scoreboard read Strollers 34-6 and that record-breaking start to the season looked under threat. As did our habit of winning by 100 runs or more. What were the William Hills odds for a 100-run victory at that point?

But then the Strollersï¿½ new-found brand of match-winning steel came into play. With Messrs Carter, Locke, Wood, Morgan, Hand and Brodbeck (after a gritty and interminable 8) back in the pavilion after falling victim to the Tavernersï¿½ fine opening bowlers it fell to gnarled veteran Jim Hodgson (and his new bat) to remind us of his timeless skills. With the doughty assistance of Mike Hart (23) the pair put on an invaluable 45. Then Ivor Fiala (6) joined the patient Hodgson and crafted another fine stand of 31. Hodgson finally fell in the final over of what was a 35-over match and the total of 115 looked respectable.

It proved more than enough in an astonishing passage of play as the
nine-man Taverners side were dismissed for just 15, easily eclipsing the previous all-time lowest score against us of 25 by Old Guildfordians in July 1980.

The executioners were Dennis Cave with figures of 4.4-0-7-5 and Tom Wood with 4-3-1-3. They bowled straight and true while Mike Morgan picked up another slick stumping. The dramatic events easily overshadowed the FA Cup final at the Millenium Stadium where Liverpool were hard-pressed to match the Strollersï¿½ historic performance.

So the day ended with the tally standing at played five, won five. Is this another record? The Taverners hospitality was as warm as ever with Robin Yolland and his lads laying on the usual banquet at The White Hart. They looked a little sheepish but,as we told them, they still did not come near our own highly prized record of eight all out v Blackfordby in August 1988. Now that will take some beatingï¿½

Capt: Simon Brodbeck. Wkt: Mike Morgan. Match fees: Mike Hart.

*Statistical note: that all-out total of 15 included just eight runs off the bat

Old Rutlishians

Sunday May 14 at Morden

Match drawn

Strollers 192
(McNamara 72, Duggan 23, Cullen 17, Wood 15, Hodgson 14no, Sturdy 14)
Old Rutlishians 171-9
( Wood 4-45, Duggan 2-23, McNamara 1-24, Hodgson 1-26)

Many thanks to Simon Brodbeck for providing, at the last minute, what turned out to be classy opposition.

The Strollers, with a very strong batting line-up, batted first with Marc Friday and Neil Cullen opening. However, the opposition turned out to be full of Young Rutlishians and opening bowler Shane Cooper put in a sizzling first-over maiden that ended with Marc Friday bowled without being able to get into his rhythm.

The contest looked very tough for the first time this season. Ross McNamara joined Cullen and they managed to see off the pace attack before Neil fell for 17. Patrick Howard (10) and Tom Wood (15) chipped in with five fours between them; Mike Richards was unluckily run out for no score; Craig Hand departed lbw for six and Andy Sturdy made a handy 14.

McNamara put in an exceptional backbone performance, seeming to play an array of classy shots with ease. Ross led the effort to put on some quick runs before being caught on the boundary for 72.

A quick partnership between Sean Duggan, who dug out a mighty six on the long boundary and a couple of fours for 23, and Jim Hodgson, who displayed elegant leg glances bagging two fours, ended with Hodgson left on 14 not out. The last wicket to fall was that of Mike Morgan for two, attempting his now infamous reverse sweep.

The Strollers had to settle for 192 all out as the Rutlishians proved to be a formidable side. None of the opposing bowlers were punished and they shared the wickets between them.

When the much-vaunted Strollers pace attack began, wickets were hard to find. McNamara and Hodgson opened the bowling, ending with figures of 1-24 off 8 overs and 1-26 off 11 overs respectively.

Either side could have won at this stage, the Strollers needed wickets and the Rutlishians needed runs. Early-season rust affected Cullen and Hand until Cullen claimed the third wicket of the innings, but the game had turned in the opponentsï¿½ favour.

The Rutlishians were well on track with 12 overs to go, seven wickets in hand and about 50 or so runs to score and they started looking for these quickly to wrap up the match. Friday had a day heï¿½ll want to forget, putting down four catches that he would have backed himself to hold.

Duggan and Wood stepped into the arena at the crucial stage to bowl the gameï¿½s final overs. The pair pulled out all the stops, taking six wickets between them and managed to halt the oppositionï¿½s run chase, including taking the valuable scalp of Foster for a dashing 76.

The target then was to dismiss the last Rutlishian in the final three overs and win the game for the Strollers, but it was not to be. Sean ended up with match-turning figures of 2-23 off six overs with Wood equally impressive with 4-45 off 10 overs. That late charge included two smartly taken catches by Morgan, who claimed five in all. Noteworthy in the Rutlishian collapse were two excellent reflex catches by Sturdy at square leg.

The match ended up being a hard-fought and memorable draw.

Capt and wkt: Mike Morgan. Match fees: Patrick Howard.

Thames Valley

Wednesday May 24 at Sunbury

Match abandoned as a draw

Thames Valley 127
(Rizziari 60; McNamara 3-26, Furlan 2-17, Duggan 2-28, Sturdy 2-29, Wood 1-8)

Strollers 27-1 (4 overs; Carter 18)

It seems criminal to play a side centred on Thames Water in the middle of a drought and under a hosepipe ban and to have to abandon the match because of rain.

Thames Valley won the toss and elected to bat. The openers started fluently, but Ross McNamara removed the dangerous Aaron Walder and then the confident-looking number three in his second over. This second wicket was a beautiful ball, moving and rising, and keeper Mike Morgan took a clean catch.

Tom Wood, skipper for the day, bowled the number four and the Strollers were looking good at 11-3. It started to drizzle. Craig Hand (who had, like John Gibson, fielded like a veritable tiger) replaced McNamara and Andrew Sturdy then bowled a mixture that confused the surviving opener who pulled to Wood at square leg. But this brought Rizziari to the crease. As the rain came down increasingly heavily, he flayed Sturdy and Sean Duggan to all points of the compass before retiring on 38.

Sturdy clean bowled his partner, and Duggan and Dan Furlan wrapped up the tail, with Morgan taking another tremendous running catch close to fine leg (saving the one) off a god-botherer where the happiest man to hear the shout ï¿½mineï¿½ was Jeff Ball, who had been peering unhappily at the rain clouds looking for the ball. Rizziari returned and we brought back McNamara; three confident boundaries and a single leaving Clive Germany (who had marshalled the tail well to that point) one ball to face. That was all that McNamara needed. Rizziari was left not out on 60 and 127 was a good score.

Gloomy and still raining hard. Tony Carter opened with Wood and immediately displayed a fine range of shots from the agricultural to the truly classy. He was removed by a fine one-handed caught and bowled, not long after which the captains agreed that life was too short and we adjourned to the bar (with the Strollers ahead on run-rate) for detailed post-match analysis, forward planning, tea and beer with our hospitable hosts.

We look forward to the rematch in July. And apologies to Craig and Ross who are used to playing in 40 degrees centigrade rather than Fahrenheitï¿½

Captain: Tom Wood. Wkt: Mike Morgan. Match fees: Kimball Bailey.

LJ Clark

Wednesday May 31 in Wandsworth

Strollers lost by two wickets

Strollers 90-4
(Hodgson 24*, Platt 19*, Carter 19, Wood 15)
L J Clark's 91-8
( Platt 3-19, Hodgson 2-23, Anderson 2-24, Sturdy 1-9)

With only five of us there for the 6pm start it was a good job that Tom Wood won the toss and elected to bat. The Wandsworth Common pitch proved to be ï¿½ well, interesting: slow and low. All batsmen were troubled by a ball that hardly ever rose above the knee. Two notable exceptions were rare rising balls to Miles Platt late in the innings, both of which were despatched for six over mid-wicket.

Jeff Ball, opening for the first time in his Strollers career, was bowled off a shooter. Craig Hand was unlucky to be adjudged lbw a long way forward by a homicidal maniac ï¿½ though it was admitted that the ball was straight, it struck the back foot, he didnï¿½t play a shot and he did shuffle in front of the wicket. Wood was caught and Tony Carter run out trying to accelerate the scoring, but it was hard work with most of the Strollers' runs grafted and slowly accumulated.

L J Clarkï¿½s expected to rattle off a low target easily and started confidently, but a maiden from Dan Furlan and two wickets in Plattï¿½s second over showed that 90 was a challenging total after all. The low bounce made it difficult for batsmen and our two keepers (Hand and Ian Evans) alike. Wickets continued to fall, all bowled: another for the aggressive Platt, two for Jim Hodgson, two for the hostile debutant Hugh Anderson and one for Andrew Sturdy, who was unlucky not to finish with three. But the Strollers failed to cling to some sharp catching chances in the difficult light, and LJï¿½s hung on to gain a close victory with a couple of overs to spare.

Post-match discussion ensued in the County Arms with two friendly teams looking forward to 2007.

Captain: Tom Wood. Wkt: Craig Hand/Ian Evans.

Match fees: Kimball Bailey

Roehampton

Sunday June 4 at Putney

Strollers won by 48 runs

Strollers 141
(Morgan 58, Duggan 24, Macaulay 11)
Roehampton 93
(Hodgson 8-25, Cave 1-14, Gibbons 1-25)

A hot, sunny day in leafy Putney.

The Strollers batted first with Marc Friday and Mike Morgan leading the way until the red mist descended from a clear blue sky and Friday was out for nine. Could it have been their opening bowlerï¿½s carefully judged mixture of no balls and wides that undid him?

Jim Hodgson came and went for seven before Sean Duggan reached the crease. Then a jaunty partnership of 44 took the score to 96 before Duggan fell to a smart outfield catch.

Strollers came and went but Morgan found his form and reached 58 before he was undone by Roehamptonï¿½s aged spinner.

Alastair Macaulay, batting at No 8, hit his first ball for six! It was a gentle push for an easy single but the excited oppo tried to hurl down the stumps. Ah, another run, but again the Roehampton fielders tried to hit the wicket although there was never any danger of a run out. This time the ball continued over the boundary.

In the end the Strollers capitulated and were all out for 141, with extras 23 and the only other batsman to reach double figures being Macaulay on 11. Definitely 30 to 40 runs short.

So after an early tea, the Strollers took to the field.

Stuart Gibbons and Dennis Cave opened the bowling with Caveï¿½s first four miserly overs all maidens. Gibbons took a wicket in the seventh over but after 10 overs they were a comfortable 43-1.

Bring on Hodgson. His first three overs were all double wicket maidens ï¿½ five bowled and one lbw! After that they were always struggling: 43-6 then 45-8. Their skipper put up some resistance before falling to a Kimball Bailey-special-juggler catch for 26. Yes, the bowler was Hodgson, who ended up with figures of 8-25 off eight overs as we bowled them out for 93.

And Hodgson had a broken bail to commemorate another sterling performance.

Capt and wkt: Mike Morgan. Match fees: Mike Hart

And for another view...

Skipper Mike Morgan won the toss under cloudless skies in south-west London and elected to bat.

Marc Friday thought that Christmas had come early as he and Morgan started to plunder the opening bowler Frieda, but his enthusiasm got the better of him as he skied a no ball to the safe hands of square leg and then, two balls later, swung across the line of the first straight delivery. Frieda finished with 4-0-43-1.

The bowler from the other end and Friedaï¿½s replacement were much tighter. Morgan continually played and missed, but played some fine strokes and ran well with Jim Hodgson to keep the score moving before Jim was lbw. Sean Duggan joined Morgan and the two put on a solid partnership, with Duggan striking a fine six, but after he fell Stuart Gibbons was bowled by the slow bowler, Mike Hart was bowled at the other end, and Craig Hand skied a catch behind the stumps off the slow bowler. Alastair Macaulay struck a curious six (courtesy of two overthrows) and Morgan fell shortly after a responsible and well-earned 50. Itï¿½s June and heï¿½s back.

Kimball Bailey entertained the crowds with his various attempts to get out before being caught one-handed, Peter Patston was bowled and Macaulay was caught going for the big one, leaving Dennis Cave high and dry.

Roehampton started confidently and had scored over 40 before the first wicket fell, the keeper and opener stroking a high one to the juggling and tumbling Macaulay at mid-on off Gibbons. But it was when Jim Hodgson replaced Gibbons and trapped the other opener lbw off his first ball that the match changed. He took another wicket, clean bowled in the same over. Cave then forced the number three to swing high and Hart at deepish mid-on took a good catch (ï¿½never in doubtï¿½ ï¿½ Ed.). But it was then a procession of wickets for Hodgson, four more clean bowled without a run scored off him. His fourth wicket was probably technically the best, and it was a tremendous spell of bowling.

The opposition skipper had watched bemused from the other end as Hodgson notched up 3-3-0-6. But Frieda then came in at 10 and played an array of good shots off Cave, then Patston, and then Duggan, while the first run off Hodgson led to a veritable torrent. The ninth-wicket partnership of close to 50 was halted by the match-winning catch of the skipper by Bailey (second time round) in the covers off Hodgson (ï¿½never in doubtï¿½ ï¿½ Ed.). Number 11 proved obdurate, but Hodgson clean bowled Frieda to give him his eighth and led the team off to tumultuous applause from the spectator.

Celebrations and analysis continued in the Roehampton clubhouse and then in the Mazza Indian restaurant on Putney Hill as the Strollers reached the 30^th anniversary dinner undefeated at weekends.

Hampton Wick Royals

Sunday June 11 at Bushey Park

Strollers won by four wickets

Hampton Wick Royals 133
(Patston 4-50, Brodbeck 3-9, Wood 1-1, Cave 1-20, Gibbons 1-21)
Strollers 137-6
( Wood 34, Taylor 32, Friday 27, Hodgson 19no, Sam Brodbeck 14)

After the celebratory exertions the night before at the great Strollers 30^th anniversary bash at The Oval, the troops were in a somewhat delicate state. But fortune and the sun smiled.

With the Strollers fielding first in temperatures touching 86F, Royals got off to a decent start against Stuart Gibbons and Dennis Cave. But it was the introduction of Peter Patston, bowling a strange variety of allsorts, that made the inroads. Patston took four wickets while Simon Brodbeck weighed in with three and the innings declined to 133 all out.

Marc Friday showed his usual restraint at the crease, scoring 27 of the first 30 runs before perishing to a good delivery from the impressive left-arm opening bowler. Tony Carter departed and Sam Brodbeck got himself out, before Tom Wood marched in with aggressive intent.

Through the alarms Brian Taylor held firm and guided things along. Wood bludgeoned away and Jim Hodgson conducted the final act to see the Strollers home and keep the undefeated run going.

Pinkneys Green had pulled out of the fixture, perhaps to avoid the Friday juggernaut that hit them last year. But Bushey Park on a glorious day against friendly opponents proved a happy substitute.

Capt and wkt: Mike Morgan. Match fees: Simon Brodbeck.

West Chiltington

Sunday June 18 in West Sussex

Strollers won by seven wickets

West Chiltington 117
(Platt 5-16, Wood 3-10, Hodgson 1-25, Macaulay 1-40)
Strollers 118-3
( Wood 47*, Hand 40, Platt 12, Morgan 10)

ï¿½Marc Friday in Runs Shockï¿½ screamed the headline of The Independent on Sunday as only ten Strollers and their entourage sampled the fine wares of the Five Bells in Smock Alley at lunchtime. Consolation pies of the highest quality were consumed, though this was deemed a mistake when skipper Mike Morgan lost the toss and we were asked to field. We hope that Marc is now fully recovered.

The two West Chiltington openers looked confident, but after surviving a close run-out call, one was clean bowled by Jim Hodgson, continuing his excellent form. Miles Platt took a sharp caught and bowled followed by an lbw during a hostile opening spell. Then disaster as Hodgson broke down with a dodgy ankle and could not continue. After a couple of overs in the slips he was forced to leave the field. Down to nine, and congratulations to Craig Hand for completing Jimï¿½s over and narrowly failing to take his debut wicket in the subsequent over.

In the meantime Tom Wood had come into the attack, replacing Platt, and took three wickets in a tight seven-over spell, despite the threatened reappearance of the steak and kidney special. This gave Platt time to recover, and his earlier insistence on compensating green vegetables gave him the extra boost to cut through the late order with a fine and hostile second spell and he took three wickets, all clean bowled, to give him a five-for, before collapsing with an injured toe.

Alastair Macaulay had looked dangerous from the other end, but the last pair decided that aggression was their only course of action, and it took a sharp running catch in the deep from Kimball Bailey (no, thatï¿½s not a typo) to remove the number 11. We felt that we had done well, especially when short-staffed, to restrict West Chiltington to such a low score and in double-quick time to boot.

Morgan and Hand went out to open and proceeded to bludgeon the bowling to all parts of the ground. Morgan fell to a sharp catch, but Wood joined Hand and the two put on 90 for the second wicket in only ten overs, mainly in boundaries, before Hand was beguiled by the spinner and holed out at deep square leg for 40.

Wood, nearing his 50, started to run singles and Platt hit a huge six before pushing a catch - the second off Neil Moultonï¿½s spin - to mid-off with the scores tied. It was left to Mike Hart to edge the winning run, leaving Wood on 47 not out as we knocked off the runs in 14.4 overs.

We left the pitch at 5.30 for a splendid tea and, for many, the pleasures of Brazil v Argentina somewhere in Germany. Thanks again to West Chiltington for their hospitality.

The John Marshall Cup was presented and more beer consumed with a friendly opposition before an early departure back to London via the Five Bells. Mrs. Marshall was sadly unable to be in attendance, and flowers have been sent to her on the teamï¿½s behalf.

The winning run continuesï¿½

Captain: Mike Morgan. Wkt: Mike Morgan. Match fees: Jim Hodgson

Battersea Ironsides

Wednesday June 21 at Battersea

Strollers won by four runs

Strollers 131-5
(20 overs; Wood 29*, Hand 29*, Cullen 26*, Duggan 15*, Carter 14)
Ironsides 127-9
( 20 overs; Wood 3-11, Duggan 2-17, Caughlin 2-20, Cullen 1-17, Furlan 1-45)

The longest day, and a chilly and blustery one in south London.

Leaving the supporting canine team to fight it out on the boundary, opening batsmen Neil Cullen and Craig Hand strode out to the middle. Four overs later, Cullen was back, having scored 26 out of 27. Tom Wood joined Hand and allowed him more of the strike as both eased their way to retirement with a spate of boundaries. This gives Craig 78 runs without losing his wicket while using Kimballï¿½s bat.

Our first wicket fell at 90 with Mike Hart being fooled by the straight one. Mike Morgan held up an end and ran some sharp singles. Tony Carter struck a couple of excellent boundaries at the other end and was unlucky when a direct hit knocked over the stumps when he was nearly home running a second. Well, as nearly home as Battersea is to Pinner anyway. Sean Duggan made some fine shots while marshalling the tail and, after a brief first appearance of the season by Stuart Caughlin, there were cameo appearances by Jeff Ball and Kimball Bailey to set a competitive target.

Dan Furlan, fulfilling the Sajid Mahmood role, bowled a variety of deliveries (including one for which we apologise to the Ironsides opener who fell to a fine swinging ball from Duggan the following over). Cullen took a safe catch from Furlanï¿½s second over, but numbers three and four for the Ironsides could, and did, play their strokes well. Duggan bowled tightly but his last over was also dispatched, and we were delighted when McLaglan, hitting out (even more) after scoring 25, skied one to the safe hands of Hand. Cullen and Caughlin then practised their loathsome squeeze play, strangling the middle order with Furlan returning the compliment and taking a catch off Cullen and Caughlin taking two wickets, both clean bowled. Wood, groin strain and all, wrapped up the tail.

This only brought back Lee who had retired earlier. But cometh the hour, cometh the man. Hand took the final over with 12 runs needed, and fine bowling and excellent Strollers fielding restricted Lee to three twos, two dot balls and a single, leaving the Ironsides nail-bitingly short.

A pleasant evening ensued in the remaining sunshine, while Oonagh got onto the roof of the clubhouse. Thanks again to our hosts.

Captain: Tom Wood. Wkt: Mike Morgan. Match fees: Kimball Bailey.

Cranham

Saturday June 24 at Cranham

Match drawn

Cranham 188-6 dec
(Mears 138; Cave 2-19, Brodbeck 2-65, Macaulay 1-37)
Strollers 143-9
(Hand 44, Taylor 28)

The Ivor Fiala recipe: Take one large bottle of port. Bash your bald head on the doorframe of The Duck and Grouse. Field all afternoon in the blazing sun. Result: One queasy but unbowed Stroller.

After the Patstons held open in Bath house for travelling Strollers on the night before the game some revellers were inevitably feeling a little delicate. But it did not show on the field as Cranham were kept in check. A magnificent opening spell from Dennis Cave strangled the runs and when the opening bat did try to cut loose, Patrick Howard took a brilliant tumbling catch to send him back to the pavilion.

But despite the early stranglehold, Cranham skipper Brad Mears was still there and went on to strike a superb 138. They declared at tea on 188-6. A gettable total.

It looked even more gettable at 72-0 with Brian Taylor (28) and Craig Hand (44) going well. But then the red mist set in. Howard was run out in a mix-up and that turned the game. The Strollers middle order melted away and it was left to the valiant rearguard of Peter Patson, Fiala and Simon Brodbeck to hold Cranham at bay.

The queasy Fiala defended stoutly and Cave batted out the final over amid nail-biting tension to claim an honourable draw.

Cranham were as hospitable as ever and the evening inquest around the dining table at The Woolpack took solace from the fact that the undefeated run had been maintained.

Capt and wkt: Mike Morgan

Sheepscombe

Sunday June 25 at Sheepscombe

Match drawn

Sheepscombe 272-5 dec
(Cave 3-65, Hand 1-36, Brodbeck 1-66)
Strollers 196-6
(Taylor 70, Hand 26, Carter 19, Wood 19, Morgan 11)

The view from high in the Slad Valley was as perfect as ever on a high summerï¿½s day. The view from deep midwicket as Messrs Risley-Pritchard and Batten put on 133 for Sheepscombeï¿½s first wicket was not so entrancing.

The ball disappeared to all parts as hard-pressed skipper Brian Taylor struggled to stop the flow of runs. Dennis Cave came back for a second spell and had some reward but the talented Sheepscombe youngsters made sure the evergreen Strollers (average age 51) were mightily relieved to see the tea break.

It was a mountain of runs to chase but Craig Hand and Taylor made a decent fist of it, putting on 83 for the first wicket. Tony Carter and Tom Wood lent a hand as Taylor went serenely on, putting away the bad balls and keeping us somewhere in contention. But when Taylor departed, the task was hopeless and Mike Morgan and an implacable Kimball Bailey made sure that the usual Strollers collapse did not happen.

Bailey stood firm until the end to claim another honourable draw.

Cave was honoured for taking his 100^th Strollers wicket and tour manager Alastair Macaulay clasped a bottle of champage to mark his 100^th appearance. His organisational skills plus a generous portion of sunshine meant a highly successful weekend.

Capt: Brian Taylor. Wkt: Mike Morgan

Windsor Great Park

Sunday July 2 at Windsor

Strollers won by 29 runs

Strollers 165-7 dec
(39 overs; Howard 42, Duggan 25, Hand 22, Friday 20, Morgan 17, Hart 17no)
Windsor Great Park 136
(31.2 overs; Gibbons 4-52, Cave 2-28, Duggan 2-19, Friday 2-15)

It was a great day to play cricket and take on a quality side such as Windsor Great Park, who have not been beaten by the Fleet Street Strollers for a while, in weather conditions that were similar to those of Australia.

Mike Morgan won the crucial toss of the coin and elected to bat first as not only had this previously helped the Strollers put a dominant score on the board for our opponents to try and chase this year, but was important because of the effects of fielding in the Londonï¿½s heatwave.

Marc Friday and Morgan opened for the Strollers with Friday being bowled in the sixth over with his total of 20 all from boundaries.

Pat Howard came to the wicket with Morgan and continued the good start, including a magnificent six on the long boundary, but unfortunately Morgan was caught for 17.

Howard then forged on with Sean Duggan, building 48 runs between them, the highest partnership of the match, until Howard was bowled by Cox for 42, taking the total to 106-3 in the 22^nd over.

The change bowler Cox picked up his third wicket bowling John Low for a duck. Windsorï¿½s spin bowler picked up Dugganï¿½s wicket, bowled for a valuable 25, with the Strollers at 112-5 in the 27^th over.

Mike Hart was joined by Craig Hand and together they put on a quick partnership before Hand was bowled for 22. Stuart Gibbons joined Hart but was stumped for five off the troublesome spinner Watmore. Hart wagged the tail, reaching 17 not out at drinks with Andy Sturdy on 5 not out.

Morgan declared the Strollers innings at a generous 165-7, with justified belief in his bowlers.

Dennis Cave picked up the wickets of both the openers early, catching Windsor by surprise.

Duggan picked up the next wicket with the help of Howard who took an extraordinary catch at point that most fielders would not have reached.

Keeper Morgan got a stumping and also picked up an edge, both off Gibbons for his second wicket in the 21^st over, with the opponents on 84-6.

The Strollers fielded well, with Andy Sturdy putting in a bruising effort, Ivor Fiala also stopping many runs in the gully, Howard with another catch at long on and Friday running down the ball with his athleticism.

With 10 overs remaining in the match and Windsor requiring 55, a steady stream of batters continually appeared for a chance to steer their side to victory. They looked to have their neck in front at 111-6, however, enter Friday who claimed two wickets in one over to even up the game once again.

Gibbons, who bowled spin in most of his 13 overs, took his fourth wicket in the following over, leaving the last two batsmen to chase 50 runs off eight overs. That still seemed possible until Duggan bowled their top scorer for 29 in the 32^nd over.

A royal victory for the Fleet Street Strollers, who remain undefeated in 12 games of weekend cricket this year.

Capt and wkt: Mike Morgan. Match fees: Mike Hart

Parrys Whippets

Thursday July 6 at Chiswick

Strollers lost by four wickets

Strollers 127
(Cullen 41, Duggan 39, McDonald 11)
Parry's Whippets 127-4
(Cullen 2-19, Duggan 1-12, McDonald 1-36)

The one time when winning the toss and batting didnï¿½t work. A hostile pitch and a ball that swung like a swinging thing for the first few overs, plus a lack of concentration perhaps triggered by the hot soixante-neuf dog on dog action on the boundary, reduced the Strollers to 18-4 after 3.2 overs. Ian Evans and Tom Wood both went for ducks, caught off sharp rising balls at second slip, while Craig Hand (6) and Patrick Howard (4) also went cheaply, both bowled.

But Neil Cullen and Sean Duggan put on 70 for the fifth wicket, taking full advantage of a short boundary and playing a range of fine and aggressive shots, including one huge six from Neil over the long boundary. At this point, the Whippets were beginning to regret the fact that the ï¿½retire at 25ï¿½ rule was not applying. But they stuck to their task until Jarvis induced Cullen to hold back on a drive into the deep and had him well caught, and Duggan played over a shooter off Taylor. Mike Shattock came and went, and it was up to Sean McDonald, playing his first game of the season, and John Gibson (7) to take our total over the hundred and indeed much further. Both struck the ball well and Seanï¿½s first ball drive and Johnï¿½s pull, both fours, were beauties. Kimball Bailey chipped in with an enthusiastic five at the end, but was left high and dry with an over to spare as we had only ten men.

The absence of our eleventh player also left us short of a bowler and gave us a hole in the field. Duggan bowled superbly (McDonald, Gibson and Bailey had given him time to recover) but the runs kept coming from a side that has not lost all season and had batting in depth. Cullen took two wickets, including a fine running catch from Duggan, and McDonald, though costly, snapped up another near the end (while testing the visor of Dipak Patelï¿½s helmet), but we were always under pressure and the Whippets made it home with four balls to spare.

A good performance in trying circumstances, and a thoroughly entertaining evening that was extended at the City Barge overlooking the river with a splendid tea with a pleasant opposition.

Captain: Tom Wood. Wkt: Ian Evans. Match fees: Kimball Bailey.

The Times

Saturday July 8 at Dulwich College

Strollers won by eight wickets

The Times 208-8 dec
(Brodbeck 5-14, Barker 2-62, Wood 1-26)
Strollers 209-2
(Friday 67, Morgan 65no, Mawson 60)

It began in muddle and confusion and ended in glorious victory.

Dulwich College was the venue, but which bit of the school? After much misdirection and wandering backwards and forwards and being told that we were not allowed in the main pavilion and that of course we had to share dressing-rooms with four other teams, we capped it off by losing the toss and taking the field.

Tom Wood and debutant Arthur Barker commenced with fire and hostility and in the first over Ivor Fiala took a superb fast-travelling catch in the gully to remove their classy opener. Barker bowled a fine long spell, as did Wood, but the catches did not go to hand, the batsmen played and missed with frustrating regularity and suddenly The Times were 84-2 with the ball whistling away across a lightning outfield.

Simon Brodbeck checked matters with some wickets but Sean Duggan had no luck and Stuart McKenzie saw his straight deliveries plonked through midwicket. The big partnership was broken but still the runs flowed and the declaration came as 200 was hoisted.

That soon looked an inadequate score as James Mawson and Mike Morgan proceeded to a century opening partnership with no alarms, picking off the gentle bowling in fine style. Marc Friday, despite pleading a bruised ankle, bludgeoned away and soon began despatching the ball to the far corners, one mighty blow disappearing down the South Circular. Victory came at a canter with Morgan undefeated. The run goes on.

High spot on a high summerï¿½s day was the wonderful tea created by Ange which was eagerly devoured and appreciated by all. The only loser on this occasion was Ivor Fiala, who returned to the dressing-room to find his shoes, trousers and shirt had disappeared and was forced to report to The Fox and Greyhound in Dulwich village in his cricket boots and a pair of slacks borrowed from some dusty corner.

Poor reward for a man making his 440^th Strollers appearance.

Capt: Simon Brodbeck. Wkt: Mike Morgan. Match fees: Stuart McKenzie.

Coleshill

Sunday July 9 at Coleshill

Strollers lost by 33 runs

Coleshill 221-8
(40 overs; B Stay 102no; Duggan 3-25, Salvesen 3-28, Cave 2-57 )
Strollers 188
(36 overs; Gibbons 45, Friday 39, Salvesen 24, Macaulay 18, Carter 14, Bailey 12no)

Defeat - a word that seemed to have disappeared from our vocabulary - finally occurred when Strollers' magnificent run, extending back to the latter weeks of the 2005 season, came to a shock end at the hands of a Coleshill side, when we were unable to counter an aggressive century from the opposition skipper.

Mike Morgan lost the toss and Coleshill elected to bat on a fine summerï¿½s day, with a stiff breeze helping bowlers from the pavilion end but a dry and closely cut outfield promising plenty of runs. A early success saw Spencer, the opposition's most dangerous opening bat (who has battered us before), back in the pavilion in the fourth over when he opened out to Dennis Cave and Stuart Gibbons took a carefully-watched catch at long-off. Over the first 20 overs tight bowling from Miles Platt, Cave, Gibbons and Tom Salvesen constrained scoring and kept the score down to 82-4 and things looked promising.

But the fall of the fourth wicket brought in B Stay, the Coleshill skipper who picked off loose deliveries at his lesisure in harvesting a century off 66 balls. In particular taking a liking to Peter Patson's spin, hitting five successive boundaries in one over. Salvesen was the most successful of the Strollers attack, returning 3-28 off his full entitlement, with Sean Duggan, as sixth bowler, chipping in with 3-25 off five overs.

Strollers replied with a usual brisk start from Marc Friday, who slogged his way 39 in 23 minutes after being dropped behind first ball and surviving an absolute sitter to the keeper one over later. Morgan, distracted by several deliveries way down the leg side, then fell to a straight one for 10 and Duggan perished quickly, fiercely hitting a rank long hop down the throat of cover point. Tony Carter played the supporting role before being fourth man out for 14. Platt perished for just one, run out when he was surprised by a direct hit with only one stump to aim at, when the risk seemed to be at the other end.

So suddenly Strollers were struggling at 75-5, although still ahead of the run rate. Who was going to be our saviour today? Gibbons played sensibly and was in sight of a maiden Strollers half-century when he skied a ball that deserved to be hit for six into the deep. Salvesen accompanied him with 24 including some fine shots, in a partnership of 45 that promised to keep the target within our sights. Alastair Macaulay hit a quick 18 before leaving the tail to wag. After the injured Patson was bowled for a primary, the last wicket pair of Kimball Bailey and Cave faced the uphill challenge of getting the final 53 runs needed.

The troops in the pavilion cried out in despair, started packing bags ready to make an early escape to watch the World Cup final. But then we hesitated - was a miracle about to unfold in front of us? First Kimball clubbed a glorious shot to the midwicket boundary, then Dennis produced a magnificent cover drive that anyone would have been proud of. Then another on-drive to the boundary from Kimball. Sadly the miracle didn't happen, with Dennis caught off a ball that reared up off a length as fielders circled the bat, leaving Kimball undefeated on 12.

In our anniversary season we have enjoyed success not known for many years, have developed a competitive edge that means we now expect to win every game. Let's hope this was just a blip and normal service will be resumed next week - where our opponents are the much-feared Chobham team.

*Champagne moment: Platt's stunning catch at silly mid off from Duggan's first delivery. A full-blooded drive from Mohammed cleanly taken by his toes and instantly thrown away because it must have hurt!

*Statistical note: Defeat at Coleshill brought to an end a run of 16 undefeated weekend matches that began on Saturday September 17, 2005 - three in 2005 and the first 13 games of the 2006 season. A record by a long distance.

Captain and wkt: Mike Morgan, Match fees: Dennis Cave

Thames Valley

Wednesday July 12 at Sunbury

Strollers won by five wickets

Thames Valley 74
(Howard 2-9, Wood 2-15, McNamara 1-4, Dray 1-8, Sturdy 1-14, Duggan 1-19)
Strollers 77-5
( Dray 27 not out, Gibson 11, Bailey 10)

What a difference from the match in late May when the rain came down. A beautiful day in Sunbury and a thoroughly professional performance by the Strollers.

Thames Valley usually count on a couple of their strong batting line-up to retire and reappear as necessary, but some careless shots and top Strollers fielding meant that this did not happen.

Ross McNamara, only back from Australia 36 hours before, bowled a hostile spell and the number three stood little chance. The reliable Aaron Walder snicked a ball from Tom Wood onto his stumps off an inside edge for eight, and Sean Duggan took a tremendous catch at deep extra cover to dismiss Wright, the other opener, for 17, also off Wood.

Ben Dray bowled Clive Germany in his first over and continued an accurate and penetrative spell. Duggan took the critical wicket of Liziari (who had scored 60 in our match in May) for only eight when Andrew Sturdy took a fine catch on the midwicket boundary. Andrewï¿½s two overs were an interesting pot pourri, though he induced a catch straight down Craig Handï¿½s throat at mid-on from his first legal delivery. Patrick Howard bowled tightly, taking the dangerous Gary Hutchinson and then a sharp caught and bowled to dismiss David Laing (the day before his 50^th birthday) and leave Peter Walder high and dry.

The Strollers were able to relax a little. But it was not plain sailing. Tony Carter (6) and Hand (9) played loose shots (after a big six from Hand) to get out, bringing John Gibson and Kimball Bailey to the wicket. Gibson played some fine strokes to the boundary before taking a wide guard to the hostile Liziari and being yorked. Bailey had a productive partnership with McNamara (5) before Ross was bowled and then added to his collection of pulls and nurdles with a rare all-run three (thanks Ben).

Ben Dray played a supporting role, only hitting one big six, before Kimball lost concentration and was bowled by Laing. Ben continued to strike the ball well, hitting a further six out of the ground and retiring on 27 not out. Mike Morgan stood at the other end while Sturdy (7) hit a clean four to win the match. A victory without calling on the batting strengths of Duggan, Howard, or Wood (and without really testing Morgan either).

Tea and beer were consumed in the evening sunshine with our genial hosts as we look forward to next year ï¿½ and possibly a weekend fixture as well?

Got to go now, Iï¿½m off to Lordï¿½s.

Captain: Tom Wood. Wkt: Mike Morgan. Match fees: Kimball Bailey.

Chobham

Sunday July 16 at Chobham

Strollers won by three wickets

Chobham 171
(Jorgensen 3-32, Gibbons 2-34, Cave 2-45, Duggan 1-22, Wood 1-32)
Strollers 174-7
(Gibbons 43, Hand 30, Friday 28, Wood 27, Samuel 19no, Hart 7no)

The Fleet Street Strollers returned to their winning ways against Chobham, after a brief period in their none-too-taxing run chase when a more appropriate name might have been the Fleet Street Suicides.

Failing miserably to win the toss on a beautiful day and flat track that promised heat, more heat and far too much sweat, skipper Mike Morgan condemned his team to first use of the sun. His team took it relatively well, only swearing a lot.

Opening with Stuart Gibbons and Dennis Cave, it rapidly became apparent that the pitch was not going to offer a lot of help - and that Chobham opener Rowe fancied his chances. After a solid opening over from Gibbons, Cave's first ball was greeted with a superb shot straight back over his head and

into the car park for six. The next ball went for four and a long afternoon beckoned.

However, while the potential for mayhem remained - and Rowe in particular always looked dangerous - the Strollers managed to regroup to some extent, holding Chobham skipper Lackey in check while trying to minimise the damage at the other end.

A change of bowling did the trick, as so often. Tom Wood eventually induced Rowe to play on, and he departed for an excellent, and rapid, 62 from a partnership of 99. From that point on, the Strollers took control against a team obviously lacking some of its more stalwart performers.

Strollers debutant Colin Jorgensen, Evan Samuel's cousin on holiday from Australia, produced a superb spell of eight overs in his first game for two years and was unlucky to return only 3-32 as the Strollers suffered a spate of dropped catches. Hard to remember when Morgan last dropped two in a match (one off Jorgensen, one off Wood), and the less said about Marc Friday's effort in the gully the better. Oh, all right then, it was rubbish. Jorgensen eventually removed Lackey for a gutsy 44.

However, despite the dropsy (and in classic fashion, it was catching - Chobham binned many catches later), Strollers were on top. Wood was replaced by Sean Duggan after a good spell, and the Kiwi immediately started swinging the ball late and quickly picked up a wicket.

At the other end, Cave returned after the disappointment of his first spell and took two wickets, and Gibbons finished matters with two as Chobham's lack of depth forced them to field several youngsters. From a position of strength, the hosts were all out for 171.

The Strollers reply was a classic in its own right. Rowe, obviously a cut above everyone else, bowled a probing and rapid first over, and then watched his opening partner spray the ball all over the place - and somehow tempt Morgan to pat a long-hop to backward square for a duck. Another good Rowe over was followed by Friday, in full swing-at-anything mode, smash the next over all over the place, leaving just one ball for Jorgensen to, yes, pat a long-hop to backward square to be out for one. Duggan followed, lbw to Rowe for a duck; then Friday tried to smear a straight one from the other opener and was comprehensively bowled for 27 off about 14 balls. Strollers 35-4 after four overs. Typical.

Then the visitors showed their backbone at last, Wood and Craig Hand combining a variety of attacking shots with judicious defence and a fair share of injudicious wafting as Chobham fell back on their second string. The pair put on about 50 before Wood (with a cry of "Bollocks!") hit a half-volley straight to cover after a good 27, bringing Gibbons to the crease. As so often, one wicket brings another, and Hand (30) welted a ball into the deep where one of Chobham's keen youngsters held a good catch.

This brought a hobbling Evan Samuel, playing his first game for over a year after injury due to a late no-show, to the crease to support Gibbons, who was already showing a calm ability to hit the bad ball and defend the good ones. The pair (Gibbons batting, Samuel surviving) took the game away from Chobham, who for some reason failed to defend, particularly, the square boundary Gibbon was peppering.

Eventually Gibbons was surprised by the returning Rowe, failing to get his hands over a good ball and spooning a catch to midwicket after an excellent 43.

Samuel, enjoying more luck than in most entire seasons - he was dropped four times - managed to hobble on in partnership with Michael "Bevan" Hart, whose reputation as the club finisher was only enhanced when he creamed a beautiful back cut to the picket fence to win the game with three overs and three wickets to spare.

The cider and lager after the game were all the more enjoyable ...

Captain and wkt: Mike Morgan. Match fees: Tom Wood.

Saumur Saturday

Saturday July 22 in Saumur

Strollers won by 143 runs

Strollers 194-8
(Howard 53, Duggan 37, Gibbons 23, Wood 18)
Saumur 51
( Macaulay 3-3, Gibbons 3-6, Furlan 2-3, Wood 2-17, Salvesen 1-15)

It was bloody hot!

Champagne moment of the Thursday night was Kimball finding a live newt in his salade exotique (warning: avoid the Auberge St Pierre at all costs). The carousing continued into the wee small hours as the first members of the touring party started to get together. As a result, a number of the antipodean members of the squad were seen on Friday morning limping round the town calling for euthanasia (in the case of a certain red-headed all-rounder, this was not until the afternoon). Having discussed the strength of the Strollers middle order, Tom Wood showed a lack of trust in numbers four, five, six and seven when it came to opening the hotel door and we are pleased that he did not have to spend the night in the marketplace.

On Friday the champagne moment would have been the Musï¿½e Animï¿½e de Vin in Chinon, with its hot waxwork action (ï¿½no, you canï¿½t leave, you havenï¿½t seen it all yetï¿½), but this was topped by Mike Morgan who had arrived with the second group on Friday afternoon. His rosï¿½-induced ramblings (ï¿½I think Iï¿½ll open with Bailey and Garbettï¿½) were only matched by his subsequent inability to open an open door.

Then, followed by a short tour of the Chateau de Chaintres, the real thing.

Well, when we say real, only for a given value of real. In the aftermath, our genial hosts Krishna and Vincent spent much time with a phone welded to their ears, rearranging the team for the Sunday. Krishna was muttering: ï¿½I donï¿½t mind losing, but I do mind losing like thatï¿½. Saumur, it has to be said, had collapsed in such a way as to embarrass a house of cards. Even the Strollers, no strangers to the concept of the top-, middle- and lower-order suicide, had to be impressed.

All had started well, Morgan winning the toss on a hot but thankfully breezy day and choosing to bat. Krishnaï¿½s work had given us a true but painfully slow pitch (the previous nightï¿½s thunderstorm had done its work well), on which the ball on landing actually seemed to spin backwards. None of this, however, bothered Tom Salvesen who, in the true spirit of entente cordiale, let himself get caught behind by debutant wicket-keeper Pete Robertson off Gordon Burns for a duck in the first over.

The heat (and, possibly, the previous nightï¿½s alcohol) seemed to be sapping the running abilities of the batsmen, as easy singles were ignored, twos became ones, and calls became reversed (ï¿½noï¿½ is the new yes, apparently). Tim Garbett eventually followed Salvesen back to the sidelines (a catch by Vincent off Burns for 12), and Patrick Howard and his new bat went out to join an unusually subdued Wood.

The pair put on 46 to finally get the Strollers moving, Howard demonstrating that even edges can go a very long way indeed if you put enough effort in. Mind, a little less effort might have saved him the pain of trying to hit his own toe through midwicket, but you canï¿½t have everything. He made 53 off just 43 balls, on a very slow pitch, with two big sixes off Burns and Buisson, so letï¿½s not be churlish; he was eventually bowled by Tony Moore (as Wood had been by Peter Ridding for 18) to the surprise of everyone including the bowler.

In the meantime we had lost David Meilton, also bowled by Tony Moore, for three with the score on 111, and the clubï¿½s youth policy had come together. Normally known as Sean Duggan and Stuart Gibbons, they quickly became Shaun Gibson, an all-rounder of disparate antipodean lineage, allowing a terminally confused Evan Samuel on the sidelines to shout encouragement regardless of who was actually facing.

The pair batted beautifully to put on 61 at a good rate, both eventually falling to catches (Gibbons to Polson off Burns and Duggan to Stephane Mongin off Ridding) as a result of playing for the team and trying to push the score along. Mike Morgan and Kimball Bailey (with a superb cut past mid-on for four ï¿½ you had to be there ï¿½ which nearly took out the skipper) finished proceedings.

The less said of the Saumur innings the better. Salvesen was desperately expensive, taking just one for 15 off his five overs, with Tony Moore going to a sharp catch behind the stumps. Gibbons, now apparently a slow bowler, took three: both Roger Scott and Stephane Mongin were stumped by Morgan and he clean bowled the dangerous Burns for four. Stephaneï¿½s request of ï¿½be nice to the Froggieï¿½ when he came in to bat at three was, of course, ignored. The Gibbons haul of 6-3-6-3 is well worth recording. Wood took two ï¿½ Ridding and Yann Rozï¿½ both bowled for ducks, though it has to be said that the full toss that hit Yannï¿½s leg stump was a truly awful delivery. Dan Furlan bowled the big-hitting keeper for 17 and had Jean-Marie Portier caught behind for a duck, and was particularly proud of his wicket maiden. The lethal Alastair Macaulay took three for three in his one over, including another Morgan stumping, his third of the innings and his fifth dismissal which was to lead to the consumption of a giraffe of beer later. Garbettï¿½s catch of Vincent Buisson completed the rout. As Alastair said in the car afterwards, ï¿½small children and French people are my specialityï¿½.

The whole thing had taken just 16 overs, and as a statistical note the opener Roger Scott faced more than half the balls delivered for his gritty eight.

The Sunday promised to be harder, largely because the Strollersï¿½ plan to get Saumur drunk and helpless rather backfired. No one nobbles Strollers like Strollers . . .

Captain: Mike Morgan. Wkt: Mike Morgan. Match fees: Kimball Bailey.

Saumur Sunday

Sunday July 23 in Saumur

Strollers won by 48 runs

Strollers 211-6
(Salvesen 79, Wood 40, Howard 34; Price 4-44)
Saumur 163
(Gibbons 5-25, Wood 3-31, Duggan 2-28)

It was bloody hot!

The morning after the night before, and recognising that Saumur would be putting out a far stronger team (in every sense - in the end, 15 of them turned up) than the day before, the Strollers responded in time-honoured fashion by going out and drinking heavily, and, in the case of Tom Wood, Peter Patston and Evan Samuel, potentially terminally. Stephane Mongin and Yann Rozï¿½ formed the official nobbling committee.

Nonetheless, the teams gathered more or less on time (as Saumur players continued to turn up for what seemed like days) to be greeted by a pitch which had hardened considerably overnight and in the heat of the morning - a heat which promised to get worse. Skipper Mike Morgan, to cries of delight from his troops, won the toss again and batted.

Unfortunately, neither Morgan nor Tim Garbett bothered the scorer much (other than changing ends unexpectedly after the ink had been applied), departing for four and two respectively as Saumur opened with South African Ryan Price (who bowled Morgan and caught Garbett of his own bowling) and stalwart Rob Howard whose first spell was five overs for a miserly 12. The game was already promising to be a sterner test.

This brought Patrick Howard and Tom Salvesen together, Howard fresh from his 50 the previous day and Salvesen steaming gently over being awarded the Tour Bunny for his duck. Saumur were always going to pay for that, and as the temperature rose (and, it must be said, the catches fell), Salvesen began lashing out.

The pair put on 58 before Howard played a shot not unreminiscent of a marcfriday; without the flourish, perhaps, but with the same result ï¿½ bowled by Warren Gaynor, for 34. On to the pitch strode - no, we must be honest; on to the pitch stumbled, blinking, Tom Wood: hatless, already red-faced, sweating pure cabernet franc and ready for action.

Salvesen was now getting into his stride, though the oppressive heat was beginning to take its toll, and Wood joined in, moving through his customary scratching phase to unleash some fine shots. Salvesen made his mark on all the bowlers, though as ever Burns proved desperately difficult to get away and could have had both batsmen out. Salvesen, all thoughts of the bunny long gone, was finally caught by a delighted Buisson off Burns, a tired shot, for a superb 79, worth far more in the conditions.

Sean Duggan suffered the curse of the long-padded, being judged lbw off Price for a duck (he impressively kept his temper). Wood finally departed for a gritty, sweaty 40 (bowled off his box by Price) and returned to the boundary with the expression ï¿½I think I may be able to have a pee by Tuesdayï¿½. Stuart Gibbons and a decidedly wobbly (in every sense) Evan Samuel put on a final flourish (11 each) to lift the score to a challenging 211-6.

Saumur opened in reply with Tony Moore and Warren Gaynor, who calmly saw off Salvesen and Gibbons before a dreadful call saw Dan Furlan's throw sweetly gathered and the bails removed by Morgan to remove Moore for 14.

Wood's introduction to the attack proved a key moment; even bowling off his shorter run-up he made the ball talk, though it is of course possible he was just hearing voices. He bowled Gaynor for 22 and Pete Robertson, a sturdy hitter, for 11.

Gaynorï¿½s wicket brought South African Price to the crease and the game intensified as the Strollers remembered his century here two years before. Fortunately, while the eye was still there his timing was slightly off and he fell to a sharp catch by Howard off the effervescent Wood for 28. Until Woodï¿½s final, tired over was hit for 14, Wood was always in control - including the ball of the day, to Jorgensen, who had no chance of getting an edge on it.

Saumur's batting was showing depth and strength, and in the face of the challenge FSS began to flag slightly, especially when Rob Howard, a class batsman who had scored heavily against us last year, joined Price. After Price had gone, Colin Jorgensen joined Howard and the two took the score to 142-4 ï¿½ 70 runs needed, ten overs to go. All credit to Morgan, who continually kept the field moving and the bowlers rotating in an excellent display, forcing his team to stay awake and get results.

Dan Furlan bowled some pleasing balls but also some poor ones. He could have had wickets but released the pressure a little too easily. Duggan exercised control, bowling in the ï¿½couloir de quï¿½est-ce se passï¿½ï¿½ and never letting the Saumur bats have a respite, so allowing Morgan to give Patston an over to replace Wood ï¿½ alas, an experiment that failed. The next trick worked, though, in spades.

Gibbons, brought back to bowl left-arm orthodox spin, finished with figures of 5-25, as Saumur seemed confused about whether to go for the win or the draw. Howard was caught by Wood for a fine 37; two balls later Peter Valace was also caught by Wood, sharp and low. Duggan was rewarded for his long and hostile spell by the stumping of Burns (frankly an irresponsible piece of batting at the time) for only four and the bowling of John Gibson two balls later.

As the Saumur tail withered, Gibbons snapped up Jean-Marie Portier for one, caught and bowled, saw the defiant Jorgensen eventually out to a fine catch by Duggan, and the final blow saw Garbett leap across the pitch to take the winning catch (Buisson) and condemn the hosts to defeat by 48 runs. Stephane Mongin, who had played responsibly for the draw, was left high and dry on four. Seven wickets had fallen in eight overs for only 21 runs.

An excellent game and performance by the Strollers to finish a fantastic tour, and our thanks are due again to our hosts; it was only a pity that Krishna Lester felt unable to play. We will hope to see him on the pitch next year.

Thanks to Maggie for scoring in the heat and for navigating across country to find a female-friendly loo. To the enhanced management team and players at Saumur CC ï¿½ for more details of the club see their web site http://www.saumur-cricket.com/accueil.htm. To the many bars and restaurants of Saumur, particularly the Grand Bleu, excellent as always, our new find the Brussels, and the Celtic Bar. To the Hotel Cristal and their gritty smiles as we propped up the bar. And to the whole team: incidentally I have some photographs taken by the river timed at 3.58am ï¿½ you know who you are. Actually, it was most of usï¿½.

Top tour. And Les Cendriers have been retained.

Captain: Mike Morgan. Wkt: Mike Morgan. Match fees: Kimball Bailey.

The Gardeners

Sunday July 23 at Greenford

Match drawn

The Gardeners 192-3 dec
(Simon Brodbeck 2-46, Cave 1-22)
Strollers 142-8
(Shattock 32, Low 28, Friday 21, McNamara 16, Carter 12)

Having lost the toss, the Strollers had to thank their three-pronged seam attack of Dennis Cave, Arthur Barker and Ross McNamara for keeping the lid on the scoring for a long time.

Cave, having taken the early wicket, gave the batsmen nothing to hit for what seemed like hours. Barkerï¿½s pace and McNamaraï¿½s aggression ï¿½ despite limping along with a bad toe ï¿½ kept a lid on things. But when the bowling changes came around 3.45pm, along came the runs and so did the misfields. Catches went down and The Gardeners produced some fine late hitting. Despite the good early work the scoreboard suddenly stood at 192-3.

We needed the big guns to fire, but they did not. Marc Friday blazed away and was then removed by an inswinger. Sam Brodbeck nicked behind to be well caught and McNamara top-edged. Mike Shattock was the driving force in keeping us nominally in pursuit of the distant target with the help of John Low.

But Mike departed for a fine 32 and the momentum was lost. Mike Hart, having declared that he was a very good finisher ï¿½ ï¿½but only if we need five to winï¿½ ï¿½ stood firm and the last over was played out to obtain a fighting, but somewhat unsatisfying draw.

Spirits were not lifted by the news that the bar was closed; ï¿½the staff are all sick,ï¿½ declared the man on the front desk. Ah well.

Capt: Simon Brodbeck. Wkt: Mike Hart. Match fees: Dennis Cave.

North Maidenhead

Sunday July 30 at Maidenhead

Strollers won by seven wickets

North Maidenhead 106
(Cave 5-31, McNamara 2-7, Cullen 2-24, Sam Brodbeck 1-14)
Strollers 107-3
(Carter 49 no, Howard 29, Sturdy 11, Brodbeck 6*)

A new fixture, very pleasant opposition in nicely bucolic surroundings on a lovely day, and an emphatic addition to the season's win list.

Strollers turned up at North Maidenhead to be greeted by the sight of the opposition actually in the nets actually practising, which was something of a shock to the system. We're not used to that sort of thing.

However, Mike Morgan had put together a strong side. After winning the toss, and inspecting a wicket which while firm on top looked like it might have suffered a little from the previous week's thunderstorms, he chose to bowl.

it quickly became apparent that Ross McNamara was a step too far in class for the hosts. Moving the ball seemingly at will, he left the opening pair groping on a regular basis. Tom Salvesen was causing problems at the other end, as well.

The inevitable breakthrough came as McNamara switched tactics from outswinger to off-cutter, going wide on the crease and spearing through Maidenhead skipper Gareth James's hopeful prod to send the off-stump cartwheeling.

That brought Irishman Michael Kennedy to the crease, a composed and classy player who immediately found the middle of the bat. The battle with McNamara promised to be a good one, but he played a fraction early to a full-length ball on leg stump and Andrew Sturdy dived to his left to hold a superb catch just above the ground at mid-on, removing the hosts' main threat for just 18. The Strollers knew that was the key wicket, and McNamara was removed from the attack with figures of 6-3-7-2 ... Kennedy having hit four of those seven runs with a lovely square cut.

Dennis Cave came on to replace McNamara with the wind at his back, while at the other end the luckless Salvesen (who had seen Kennedy dropped, an admittedly tough chance, off his bowling) gave way to Neil Cullen (McNamara: "I don't know if he's going to bowl his slow stuff, or the slower stuff that's supposed to turn ... oh, it's the slower stuff.").

North Maidenhead continued to struggle. Cave was finding a lot of movement through the air, and apart from young Declan Roberts (one of several colts in the home team) who showed a good temperament and a talent for driving that took him to the top score of 22, troubled every player on his way to yet another five-wicket haul. Cullen chipped in with two wickets, one to a very good catch by Patrick Howard on the boundary from a rank full toss, and his replacement Sam Brodbeck took the last wicket to fall.

It was a good performance by FSS in the field, skipper Mike Morgan again calling the shots well and also showing some mercy to Maidenhead by not reintroducing either McNamara or Salvesen.

In the FSS reply the hosts opened with a dual spin attack - skipper James and a good young leggie, Hussain - and the visitors settled back to watch the carnage as McNamara and Tony Carter opened.

Sure enough, the Aussie played all over the top of his second ball from James and was out for a duck; not quite what we had planned. Maidenhead were understandably jubilant and McNamara, ahem, wasn't.

However, Sturdy joined Carter to stop the rot, and after playing five consecutive maidens they began to open out, trading mainly in fours. Sturdy was the first to go, bowled, after contributing a valuable 11 to the partnership of 42. Howard then joined Carter, as, interestingly, Maidenhead took the new ball in the middle of the innings. In the interests of protecting the ankle he had twisted on the boundary (and given his partner's famous reluctance to run), the currency was again mainly fours. He was eventually out, caught at mid-wicket off a full-toss, for 29 off about 15 balls.

It was only a matter of time, but Sam Brodbeck took the chance to force Carter to run a three (the veteran did not look best pleased) before Tony finished off the match with another fine pull behind square for four, leaving himself stranded but pleased on 49 not out after 23.1 overs.

Another good performance in a fine season, and a good new fixture. Ross has been informed by the hosts that he is only welcome back as a batsman ...

Skipper, wkt and match fees: Mike Morgan (doesnï¿½t anybody else help at all?)

Peppard

Sunday August 6 at Peppard

Match drawn

Peppard 199-8 dec
(Barker 2-47, Jorgensen 2-63, Cave 1-17, Simon Brodbeck 1-36)
Strollers 193-9
(Samuel 52, Carter 30, Wood 28, Jorgensen 26)

A pleasant afternoon in highly convivial surroundings with a friendly opposition and a close match which could have given all four results off the last ball.

So what did we have to complain about? Well frankly it was (with a couple of exceptions) a fairly lackadaisical and slipshod fielding performance by the Strollers, especially when compared to our recent dizzy heights, featuring dropped catches, needless overthrows and balls passing the hapless fielders to the boundary on too many occasions. We were left to rue what might have been.

But what did happen? Both Peppard openers played and missed to Dennis Cave and Tom Wood and were to survive a number of confident LBW decisions before Kimball Bailey, swooping like a panther on to the ball at mid on, hurled the ball back to Craig Hand behind the stumps to leave Harris stranded for the first run out. A note of congratulation to Craig, our stand-in keeper, who put in a brave and committed performance and in fact did us proud. I hope he can move his hands and indeed the rest of his body this morning.

Cave was rewarded by bowling Pinder, the other young opener, for 17, but it was the hostile Arthur Barker, replacing Wood from the pavilion end, who uprooted the off stump of both Clarke (7) and a nervous-looking Linthwaite (5). This brought skipper Jason Lunnon to the crease, joining a confident-looking Ewan Brock who had already played some fine strokes. The two put on a partnership of 73 before Brock, having reached his 50, was finally bowled by a fine swinging delivery from Colin Jorgensen, who had previously distinguished himself with some excellent diving stops in the field.

Simon Brodbeck bowled young Vines for four, bringing Brock Senior to the crease. He (and I think itï¿½s Robbie) bats for Berkshire over-50s and normally opens for the first team at Peppard (whereas the number eight for the Strollers was Kimball), so Simon and Colin should not feel too bad about the fact that they were promptly dispatched to all parts of the ground. Lunnon continued with some huge hits, reaching his 50 before unselfishly running a second and being adjudged run out after a sharp pick up and throw to Simon at the bowlerï¿½s end by Alastair Macaulay. Jorgensen got his revenge on Brock by bowling him on the last ball of the innings at 5.05.

The Strollers opened confidently with a partnership of 62 between Tony Carter and Tom Wood against a slow but reasonably accurate attack. Each played some fine shots in his respective innings, but both were bowled offering no discernible shot, Tony in the tenth over and Tom in the eleventh. Evan Samuel started cautiously and Sam Brodbeck played a classic cover drive for four before popping up a return catch to the bowler. Colin Jorgensen rushed to an impressive 26 (taking most of the strike in the process), with some classy shots including three lovely fours, before he came forward to smite a slow ball out of the ground and was sharply stumped with the score on 113-4.

Alastair Macaulay was caught hitting out for two as Peppard applied the pressure, and Craig Hand fell lbw for five after trying to hurry the score along. Evan was starting to get into his stride and Kimball Bailey joined him with the score on 131-6 with 11 overs to go. After a few reasonable shots, Kimball was heard to say ï¿½Iï¿½m not going to do anything stupidï¿½ before proceeding to do exactly that. But he survived. Evan became more aggressive, and Kimball smacked a full-blooded pull through mid-wicket for four before holing out to mid-wicket from the other end for eight. 155-7.

Arthur Barker struck a huge four but was then horribly stumped (I mean it was well-stumped, but it made Inzamamï¿½s hit wicket, which had occurred a couple of hours earlier at Headingley, look stylish and professional). In the meantime Evan had hit a massive six over mid-wicket and Simon Brodbeck had joined him with the score on 183-8. Seventeen needed off sixteen balls.

Then disaster struck. Evan, who had just reached his 50, decided that the best way of dealing with a tempting ball from Lunnon was to play the marcfriday. He did. It didnï¿½t work, the woodwork tumbled, and it ended a marvellous, patient and well-structured innings, even finer bearing in mind his injured knee. Heï¿½s back and heï¿½s kicking bottom.

Dennis Cave survived the over and Simon played a fine mix of defence and aggression. 7.55pm, three balls to go, 189-9, Brodbeck hits a classic sweep past backward square. All results still possible. But that was it, Simonï¿½s solid defence to accurate bowling continued (he finished on nine) and a highly satisfactory result for all after an exciting game.

And did we rue the missed opportunities? Well maybe, but with the hospitality of Peppard and the fine ale of the Unicorn (some of it served in jugs courtesy of Samuel and Brock the Younger) flowing freely, it was agreed that ï¿½ and I donï¿½t think anyone has said this throughout the Strollers Summer of 06 ï¿½ that cricket was the only winner.

A highly enjoyable game.

Captain: Simon Brodbeck. Wkt: Craig Hand. Match fees: Simon Brodbeck

West Hoathly

Sunday August 20 at Hoathly

Strollers won by 23 runs

Strollers 167-8
(35 overs; Hart 46, Friday 32, Platt 27)
West Hoathly 144-9
(35 overs; Duggan 3-38, Morgan 2-5, Platt 2-17, Macaulay 1-21, Wood 1-24}

On a weekend of rain and controversy at The Oval, Strollers turned up at West Hoathly's rural ground in Sussex for a proper, old-fashioned game of cricket - complete with silly run-out, batsman walking, dropped catches, 10 men a side and a hospitalisation. Who said tradition was dead?

Hoathly having magically avoided the rain that so plagued the rest of the South-East overnight, Strollers skipper Mike Morgan took one look at the pitch and resolved to bat if he won the toss, which he did. He was confident that a strong batting order, backed up by pace attack headed by the speed demons Miles Platt and Arthur Barker, could handle anything thrown at them in the 35-over game.

The first sign that things might go wrong was the non-appearance of Barker, of whom nothing was seen or heard throughout the day ... a very poor effort for a game for which several players were turned away.

The next sign was the early demise of Evan Samuel, who after playing out the first over as a maiden hit a streaky four in the second over and then played far too early down the leg-side to pop up a leading edge off JJ Burrows, bringing Patrick Howard to the crease to join Marc Friday.

In terms of run-rate, however, this was a good thing. When Friday was out in the sixth over (Burrows again), the score was already 53 - his contribution being 28 classic Friday runs (smeared everywhere) and one vintage rarity, a fantastic cover drive hit on the rise for four; total 32 from just 15 balls.

No alarms just yet, as Tom Wood joined Howard; but then Patrick essayed a startlingly Friday-esque front foot swipe at a ball from, yes, Burrows, which was never there for the shot, let alone the fact that (in a sign of things to come) it popped from short of a length and creamed him on the chin, probably about 1cm below some potentially very expensive dental work. As it was, he had to retire hurt for 16 and be taken to the East Grinstead A&E, dripping blood into Friday's car (currently for sale at a slightly reduced rate, for wear and tear), where he had five stitches inserted, and that was the end of his game. Shaving should be interesting for the next few weeks; expect goatee beards to become de rigeur in the City.

A classic Strollers collapse was in progress. Wood was surprised by a ball which lifted and moved (Burrows, again) and walked for a flick from glove to keeper, for 10 (65-3) and was followed by Mike Morgan, lbw for two (70-4). He was possibly a shade more surprised than Mr Burrows, given that it was the umpire's first such decision in about 18 months, according to the hosts. This was no consolation to Mike.

Cometh the hour, cometh the men: Mike Hart and Miles Platt put on 73 for the next wicket. Both played well after Platt called for a helmet facing Hoathly skipper Matt Taylor ... Mike deciding that if the ball was going that high, he probably didn't need one.

Miles got off the mark with a six, but that shot was bettered by Mike who picked up a leg-stump half-volley so well it cleared the hedge, bounced on the road and was lost. He carried on, peppering the boundaries until, on 46 (his highest score for the Strollers), a tired shot off Clinton was well caught by Ward (snr) in the covers. Unfortunately, Miles was bowled next ball by Audsley, making it 143-6.

Sean Duggan and Craig Hand put on eight before a classic Strollers run-out, Hand calling yes and then failing to run as Duggan appeared, somewhat nonplussed, at his shoulder. Hand did the right thing and was comfortably run out at the other end. Alastair Macaulay joined Duggan and they added 16, taking the score to 167, before Sean was bowled by a subterranean first ball from young Alex Ward.

In the absence of Barker, Platt opened with Friday, and quickly hit a good pace - and the batsmen. He was a worrying prospect, and was rewarded with the wicket of Ward (snr), bowled, and several bruises to Johnson. Marc, pressed into unusual service, did a good job, conceding 34 runs from his seven overs and bowling some good balls.

Morgan was kept busy moving his field around to cover the gap (and our thanks to Hoathly for supplying a substitute fielder for Patrick Howard throughout). Samuel missed a sharpish slip chance off Wood (should have held it), potentially a big mistake as the batsman, Audsley, was an obvious danger. But the replacement of Friday with Macaulay worked the oracle, as Audsley was tempted out of his ground to be sharply stumped by Morgan.

At the other end, Duggan replaced Wood and began a fine spell of good pace and sharp movement. His final figures of 3-38 were damaged by the one-shot (leg-side smear) keeper Fricker, but he bowled superbly. Morgan held two fine catches to go with his stumping and Wood, brought back, bowled Taylor. Platt also returned to get another wicket, leaving Strollers to bowl four more overs - two from Macaulay, and two from ... Morgan, who handed the keeper's pads to Hart.

Stair kept it tight as JJ Burrows tried desperately to win the game, while Morgan - and we may never hear the end of this - removed Ollie Burrows (age 13) to a simple catch by Duggan. JJ finally perished to possibly the catch of the season, as a mighty leg-side heave off Morgan was brilliantly taken by Wood, running at full pace (not a sight to forget) on the boundary.

A good game, another good win, and as ever a pleasure to have a beer with West Hoathly in the Intrepid Fox after the game.

Captain and wkt: Mike Morgan. Match fees: Alastair Macaulay

Wall

Saturday August 26 at Wall

Strollers lost by 68 runs

Wall 179-8
(40 overs; Wood 4-10, Gibbons 2-22, Salvesen 1-18, Sam Brodbeck 1-36)
Strollers 111
(32.1 overs; Hand 28, Sam Brodbeck 23)

The sorry scene at Wallï¿½s picturesque ground consisted of a pile of ash where the pavilion used to be. By 7pm the Strollersï¿½ hopes also lay in ashes.

The clubï¿½s ancient wooden pavilion was torched by mindless vandals in the early season. Undaunted by the setback Wall were their usual hospitable selves and provided a marquee to accommodate the teams and their customary magnificent tea. Unfortunately they also produced their customary home win.

When Wall were reduced to 29-6 by fine bowling from Tom Wood and Stuart Gibbons it all pointed to a Strollers walk in the park. But Asif Ali had other ideas and took full advantage of five lives granted by generous Strollers fielders who demonstrated remarkable ineptitude.

Fifty runs came in the final eight excruciating overs and suddenly the target looked huge on a wicket that, thanks to the heavy rain in the week, was a touch interesting.

The Strollers then followed their fielding nightmare with a batting display to match. Only Craig Hand (28) and Sam Brodbeck (23) played the bowling on its merits and they put on a battling 43. But there were very few contributions from anyone else even if gnarled veterans Simon Brodbeck and Peter Patston did add 19 for the last wicket to show the youngsters how it should be done. The rain held off long enough for the shameful proceedings to be completed and the second defeat of the campaign to be duly registered.

Capt: Simon Brodbeck. Wkt: Mike Morgan
(with strained calf muscle which gave his gait the appearance of Long John Silver, minus the parrot).

Stanton by Dale

Sunday August 27 at Stanton

Strollers won by 115 runs

Strollers 240-7 dec
(Sam Brodbeck 91, Howard 43, Carter 22, Hand 16)
Stanton by Dale 125
(Simon Brodbeck 4-12, Gibbons 3-41, Sam Brodbeck 1-18, Wood 1-37)

What a difference a curry makes. After the debacle of the previous day hapless skipper Simon Brodbeck was charged with bringing the game into disrepute and sacked. Mike Morgan was appointed in his stead with a brief to ensure the troops were in bed by breakfast after full helpings of lamb rogan josh at Ashby De La Zouchï¿½s Sizzling emporium.

The new regime won the toss and demonstrated a new confident approach by choosing to bat. And how the men responded. The opening pair of Peter Patston and Tony Carter saw off the opening bowlers with some comfort in a stand of 42 that set the bold tone.

Then Sam Brodbeck took up residence and shepherded the side to a splendid total of 240-7 declared at tea. He had stands of 90 with Patrick Howard (43) and 50 with Craig Hand (16) in a fine display of batting. Stroking the ball off the back foot into the off-side gaps and driving fiercely he just lost the strike towards the close and missed out on what would have been a richly deserved century.

But was it enough? On Stantonï¿½s small ground it was a highly gettable score but the new tigerish Strollers marshalled by Hopalong Morgan blew away the opposition. Stuart Gibbons calmly pouched a thunderbolt return catch to remove Andy Brier, Stantonï¿½s real danger man; fine catches were taken by Craig Hand, Tony Carter and Patrick Howard and Simon Brodbeck produced figures of 8.3-3-12-4.

It was a great victory. How may times have we said that in this record-breaking season?

Capt and wkt: Mike Morgan

*Victory meant that the Strollers reclaimed possession of the David Tranter Cup. The cup is in memory of a schoolfriend of Simon Brodbeck and Brian Taylor, who died too young. It is played for every year by the Strollers and Stanton

Sutton on the Hill

Monday August 28 at Sutton

Match drawn

Strollers 177-8 dec
(Sam Brodbeck 73, Salvesen 30, Carter 29, Hand 20)
Sutton on the Hill 101-8
(Salvesen 7-31, Simon Brodbeck 1-28)

The heavy showers in the morning could not dampen the Strollersï¿½ new confidence. And Sam Brodbeck carried on where he left off at Stanton.

The Strollers innings began with a remarkable Marc Fridayesque display by Craig Hand. He hit the second over of the day for 20 ï¿½ five fours ï¿½ before being run out. Then Sam reproduced his shepherding act of the day before by almost batting through to tea and ensuring a decent total thanks to the assistance of Tom Salvesen and Tony Carter.

Fuelled by another magnificent Sutton spread, Salvesen then bowled like a man possessed and proceeded to take seven wickets in figures of 15-8-31-7. Simon Brodbeck took a good slip catch to remove Steve Taylor and Sutton stood at 77-8 in the 23^rd over. At that point they understandably decided the run chase was over. So anchor was dropped by Suttonï¿½s obdurate No 10, who batted out the last 41 minutes for a defiant five not out to deny the Strollers victory.

Despite the attempts of skipper Tom Wood, the coup de grace could not be administered. Honours were declared even as the sun went down on Suttonï¿½s tranquil ground and another successful Three Counties tour. Tour boss Alastair Macaulay somehow managed to assemble 11 players for each day and ensured proceedings went like clockwork. The large contingent of WAGs (with Mollie and Oona prominent amongst them) thoroughly enjoyed themselves and the rain stayed away. What more could you ask? Well, since you mention it, we could have caught those catches on Saturdayï¿½

Capt: Tom Wood. Wkt: Mike Hart.

Sunbury

Sunday September 3 at Sunbury

Strollers won by 127 runs

Strollers 238-2 dec
(Sam Brodbeck 113 not out, Samuel 88 not out, Carter 29)
Sunbury 111
(Gibbons 4-32, Sam Brodbeck 3-29, Simon Brodbeck 2-30)

Patrick Howard, number four in the batting order, put on his pads at 2.04pm as the first wicket fell. He took them off at 4.20pm when the Strollers declared. ï¿½Itï¿½s the longest I have ever sat with my pads on,ï¿½ he admitted.

The cause of the hold-up was a magnificent undefeated third-wicket stand of 176 between Sam Brodbeck (113 not out) and Evan Samuel (88 not out). They came together with the score on 62-2 after the luckless Marc Friday had holed out off the third ball of the day and Tony Carter had maintained his successful streak with a merry 29.

Brodbeck and Samuel took full toll of some gentle bowling, eventually striking the ball very hard and very straight and very often. Sam continued his good tour form, while Evan at first tried to keep up with the youngster and then blossomed as the declaration neared. The unbroken stand of 176 just fell short of the Strollers record for the third wicket but, as fearsome skipper Mike Morgan declared: ï¿½We are not in the business of records; wins are what we want.ï¿½

And the bowlers chimed in to give Morgan a resounding victory. Good tight early spells from Stuart Gibbons and Dennis Cave meant that the early batsmen never got away. Then Sam continued where he had left off with the bat and took two in two amongst a three-wicket haul and Gibbons turned to his Ashley Giles mode (with added spin) and claimed his customary casual caught and bowled off a ball going like a howitzer shell.

The tigerish Cave gave notice that he is still a man to be feared in the deep with a terrific throw and run-out while the final scalp fell to a brilliant tumbling left-handed catch at leg slip by Howard. Sunbury skipper John Salter was left high and dry on 46 not out, having opened the innings and seen his colleagues fall one by one.

Capt and wkt: Mike Morgan. Match fees: Simon Brodbeck

*Statistical note 1: The record for the third wicket is an unbeaten 177 between Simon Brodbeck and Peter Hanlon at Sheepscombe in 1994.

*Statistical note 2: Have the Strollers ever claimed a wicket with a leg-slip catch before? Answers on a postcard to Maggie Patston please.

*Statistical note 3: Kimball Bailey writes: With regard to the Howard catch, I got a catch at short fine leg about ten years ago. For me that was equivalent to leg slip, so I think it counts. It was off a top edge and people were very surprised. Mainly me. Canï¿½t remember whereï¿½

Whiteley Village

Sunday September 10 at Weybridge

Strollers won by 54 runs

Strollers 283-5
(40 overs; Friday 124, McNamara 48, Wood 33, Samuel 23 not out)
Whiteley Village 229-7
(40 overs; Shattock 2-39, Duggan 1-31, SR Brodbeck 1-39, Wood 1-41)

Another tick in the win column in a record-breaking year, and one of the Strollers' highest-ever totals built on yet another Marc Friday slogathon - his sixth century for the club.

Things did not look quite so rosy to begin with. Stand-in skipper Evan Samuel won the toss in the absence of Mike Morgan (delayed in traffic - you'd think by now he would have worked out how long it takes to travel from Brighton, wouldn't you?) and chose to bat, but for the first four overs FSS looked all at sea.

Ross McNamara was solid and unflappable but Friday was fragile and flapping at everything, partly due to being hit twice by the sharpish opener Harris, once in what the Test Match Special team might refer to as the lower stomach area.

It took 15 balls from Harris and the excellent Stiff before either man laid a bat on ball, when McNamara finally played at one after many leaves and middled it nicely. Friday finally got in on the act as he faced his own 15th ball ... which was smashed, high, wide and handsome, for six. The disbelieving Whitely bowlers were about to regret not getting him out earlier.

From that point on, it was frankly carnage. McNamara, as ever, looked a class act, hitting cleanly along the ground and into the gaps whenever he got a chance. At the other end Friday was simply murdering everything put in front of him. Having taken those 15 balls to get off the mark, he raced to 50 off 50 balls, and by the time he lost McNamara for a patient (ish) 48, the pair had put on 135 and Friday was on 74.

Joined by Sam Brodbeck (who hit two lovely driven fours in his first three balls) after drinks were taken, Friday reached his century in double-quick time, having gone from 53 to 102 in 24 balls. His partnership with Sam, who was out for 13, was worth 61.

Pat Howard's stay was regrettably brief, and Marc finally holed out for a scintillating 124 to bring Samuel to the wicket to join Wood with about 11 overs left and the score already 216. The fireworks which had gone before were always going to be impossible to reproduce, but the pair put on 62 at close to a run a ball before Wood failed to spot that the ball had been hit straight to a fielder and departed after the statutory FSS comedy run-out. Ironically, while fielding later he tended to fail to spot the ball.

Birthday boy Craig Hand came out and charged his first ball; missed; stayed back and smashed the next one for four; and then took a simple single to bring Samuel to face the last three balls ... all of which he missed by slightly more than a country mile as he tried to hit them out of the ground, to the amusement of everyone bar himself. But 283 was a fine score and, in a time game, Strollers would have declared earlier to get more time to bowl.

But Harris and Weedon started the Whitely reply in style, with Harris clubbing anything vaguely within reach and Weedon, despite looking impermanent, always managing to avoid fielders. But the key breakthrough came as Harris hit once too often at 'Goldenarm' Wood, and Sean Duggan - running backward and looking directly into the sun - took a superlative catch. It was a favour returned later as Wood caught the slog off Duggan that removed Weedon after a good 50.

Morgan brought Sam Brodbeck into the attack to replace McNamara, and was immediately rewarded as the No3 played all around a straight one ("I was confident," said Sam, "when I noticed he hadn't bothered to take a guard."). Alas, later in his spell the young Brodbeck seemed to be copying the old one as his run-up went all over the shop, and he was replaced by the evergreen Mike Shattock.

Following his father-in-law's rare failure to take a wicket the week before, it was up to Mike to restore the Cave/Shattock fortunes, and he duly responded by bowling the No5 and then having the dangerous Whitely skipper Jamie (horribly dropped at slip by Wood off Brodbeck earlier) well stumped by Morgan.

Whitely were already well behind the asking rate - it started at seven and over and reasonably quickly rose to 10 - and from that point on, despite some bright batting from Stiff and the Whitely youngsters, the game was a foregone conclusion. Pat Howard was given the chance to purvey his idiosyncratic spin, and the game eventually petered out as McNamara, and Hand in his one over, calmly strangled any last hopes.

Capt and wkt: Mike Morgan. Match fees: Tom Wood

Valley End

Sunday September 17 at Windlesham

Strollers won by 41 runs

Strollers 188-9
(Innings closed; Wood 90, Hart 31, Gibbons 16, Morgan 11)
Valley End 147
(Gibbons 3-41, Simon Brodbeck 3-58, Duggan 2-12, Cave 1-23)

ï¿½Please note that Sundayï¿½s game starts at 1pmï¿½ said the stern email from match manager Sean Duggan. Mr Duggan arrived at the ground at 1.09pm. At 1.11pm skipper Mike Morgan showed up, presumably delayed by the quandary of whether to approach Valley End via SW4 or Brighton.

Undaunted, the five Strollers who were present at the start of play, proceeded to cock it up. Simon Brodbeck, Marc Friday, Sam Brodbeck and Sean Duggan perished on a pitch that required patience, patience and a little more patience.

Through the carnage Tom Wood remained implacable and, thanks to the assistance of Stuart Gibbons (16) and Mike Hart (31), took us to a reasonable score, albeit off a little matter of 53 overs.

Wood was eventually caught and bowled for a well-struck 90 and Hart played some clubbing blows, in particular a spectacular legside pick-up that soared away for six. The bad news was that Andrew Sturdy, due to be married in two weeksï¿½ time, made things a bit tricky for the wedding photographer when he top-edged a full toss onto his eyebrow and departed, dripping blood.

He took the field again about 6pm, sporting a piratical eye dressing, having been chauffeured to the nearest casualty department. His return prompted a round of applause for such loyalty to the cause. The bride-to-be could not be contacted for her comment.

So, at tea, the innings closed on 188-9, with Sturdy absent hurt.

After consuming a magnificent spread, the Strollers began with fine spells from Dennis Cave (10-4-23-1) and Duggan (7-12-2), who both kept the pressure on by giving nothing for the batsmen to hit. Frustration brought the early wickets, thanks to two catches from Sam Brodbeck and one from Hart.

Then came the big shots and a torrent of runs. Suddenly the target looked well within reach with an asking rate of about six an over. But Simon Brodbeck nipped out the two danger men and the pendulum swung again.

Gibbons began to work up a head of steam and bowled beautifully, claiming one victim with a jaffer that pitched leg and took the top of off stump. To their credit Valley End kept going for the target, even with nine wickets down, but the end came when Gibbons clung on to a sizzling drive (as he now does most weeks).

A great game against hospitable opponents who played the game in the right spirit and who run their club in the proper way.

Capt and wkt: Mike Morgan. Match fees: Dennis Cave.

Jesmond Jaguars

Saturday September 23 at Greenford

Strollers lost by four wickets

Strollers 189-7 dec
(Wood 128 not out, Morgan 17, Carter 11)
Jesmond Jaguars 192-6
(Simon Brodbeck 3-32, Gibbons 3-58)

Where would we have been without Tom Wood? The limping Wood, given new life by his new non-smoking regime, scored a little matter of 128 not out in a total of 189-7 declared. For the statisticians that represents 67 per cent of our total; surely a record.

The problem was that nobody could contribute much to help him. Mike Morgan played a merry cameo for 17, but that was about it. Hence we declared about 30 runs short of a commanding total.

After his 90 the previous week at Valley End the glorious Wood continued his fine run of form and after some early alarms against the Jaguarsï¿½ opening pair went on to dominate proceedings, straight-driving and pulling with great power. But opening bowler Mounsey-Thea ensured the Strollers never really got away, bowling two long spells for impressive final figures of 16-3-43-5.

The Jaguarsï¿½ chase started badly with Stuart Gibbons claiming an early victim. But then skipper Adam Chataway and No 3 Mike Ziegler gave the innings a solid base, both looking good good players.

Then Brodbeck intervened, dismissing the two and suddenly the Strollers were back in the game. But not for long. Just when it seemed we might tighten the screw, Burton Brown proceeded to hit 50 off 32 balls, launching the ball vast distances and the runs/overs ratio suddenly took on the look of a gentle stroll.

And so it proved as the Strollers fell to their third defeat of the campaign - a competitive, honourable defeat, to be sure against friendly opponents, but still defeat. Is the long campaign taking its toll on the weary troops? Or will they bounce back against Hurley? Watch this spaceï¿½

Capt: Evan Samuel. Wkt: Mike Morgan. Match fees: Stuart McKenzie.

Hurley

Sunday September 24 at Hurley

Match drawn

Strollers 165
(McNamara 78, Friday 26, Hand 19, Morgan 19)
Hurley 107-9
(Cave 4-24, McNamara 3-25, Macaulay 2-18)

Skipper Mike Morganï¿½s continuation of the New Strollersï¿½ 'bat first' policy looked foolproof as Marc Friday and Ross McNamara put on 34 for the first wicket ï¿½ Friday even showcasing two grass-cutting off-side fours ï¿½ but soon floundered as Sam Brodbeck, Patrick Howard and Tom Wood fell in quick succession to accurate, bouncy bowling.

McNamara held firm, however, marshalling the innings with admirable (but short-lived) support from John Low, Morgan and the free swinging arms of Craig Hand. Mike ï¿½Hartyï¿½ Hart (surely his nickname should be ï¿½breakfastï¿½) was bowled (picture in gallery) and Alastair Macaulay caught as the Strollers collapsed as of old. Only McNamaraï¿½s calculated acceleration put respectability on the scoreline before he fell for a fine 78 just as Dennis Caveï¿½s shoulders were loosening (more of them later).

Hurleyï¿½s innings was never allowed to get going as Wood and Cave refused to be hit off the square while regularly taking wickets, the dangerous opener snared by a late-swinging Cave special and a Sam Brodbeck one-handed ï¿½pluckï¿½ combination.

Caveï¿½s 14-over probing masterclass and McNamaraï¿½s Brett Lee impression strangled the run rate into non-existence before Macaulay was introduced as a carrot (ï¿½more like a cauliflower,ï¿½ observed Hand). The effect was immediate. The carrot was well and truly swallowed as two wickets in two balls pegged Hurley back.

Such was the success of the spin that wily captain Morgan turned to that other part-time spinner - captain Morgan. After two expensive overs and disbelieving sniggers from McNamara at silly mid-on, Ross and Dennis resumed hostilities to leave the Strollers needing a single wicket from the last over.

An Australian field of three slips, gully and silly mid-on (picture in gallery) were not given an opportunity (perhaps a good thing considering Tom Woodï¿½s new-found fondness for seal impressions) as the number 11 clung on for dear life to secure the draw.

The author would like to note...

-----------------This report equal to one match as captain in 2007---------------

Capt and wkt: Mike Morgan. Match fees: Mike Hart.

Great and Little Warley

Sunday October 1 at Warley

Strollers won by 113 runs

Strollers 175-5
(35 overs; Friday 75, Sam Brodbeck 34, Duggan 18, Chris Gibbons 15, Hand 10)
Great and Little Warley 62
(30.3 overs; Stuart Gibbons 3-6, Chris Gibbons 2-3, Sam Brodbeck 1-0, McNamara 1-3, Simon Brodbeck 1-4, Duggan 1-5)

Tim Riceï¿½s season has been an odd one. One game rained off, not selected for another fixture when we had an abundance of players. Now in his third attempt of the season, he waited patiently at No 7 in the batting order; would the lad get his chance?

Well, he did. For one ball. A swish and a miss, before the innings was concluded. Itï¿½s not often a Stroller makes his seasonal debut in October. But then so did one Chris Gibbons, brother of Stuart and bearing an uncanny resemblance to him at the crease. He also bowls and drops catches too, so they have plenty in common.

But the main item on the agenda was the farewell appearance of Stuart Gibbons and Sean Duggan who, having graced the team for some seasons, now foolishly seem determined to return to the Antipodes. They both bat and they both bowl and they have been the enthusiastic heartbeat of the side. They have been good company. They have been brilliant tourists and fine Strollers. The official farewells will come at the annual dinner, when Sean will unveil his latest injury. But to Stuart and Jules, to Sean and Sara: thanks for coming.

As befits the occasion, Sean and Stuart opened the innings accompanied by a battery of press photographers. Stuart soon returned, having devised an unusual way of getting out: playing the shot twice before the ball arrived and then nudging the ball onto the stumps via his chest.

Sean made better progress and adjusted to the slow wicket but he, too, departed and Sam Brodbeck then patiently compiled 34, composed of 30 singles and two twos. At the other end Marc Friday defied the slippery conditions and the intermittent rain to blast 75 and take his seasonï¿½s aggregate past 600. He also used up all the luck he claimed to be owed, surviving a kamikaze run-out and offering several chances which were declined.

But it was thanks to Warley skipper Mike Stiller and his long-suffering troops that the game proceeded at all. As monsoons lashed London, out in rural Essex the rain came and went; then came and went again. Each time the dark clouds rolled across, a patch of blue appeared behind to give renewed hope. Everyone got wet, but there was only one stoppage and the elements were defeated; thanks to Warley for their patience and warm hospitality.

A total of 175 looked formidable in the conditions and so it proved. Tim Rice and Dennis Cave opened the proceedings and effectively won the game in the opening overs. They conceded a miserly 12 runs in the first 10 overs and that stranglehold meant that the target was always far away.

It also meant that everyone (bar wicketkeeper Craig Hand and top scorer Friday) could be given a chance with the ball and all nine bowlers returned figures that bear repeating:

Dennis Cave 7-3-18-0

Tim Rice 4-1-3-0

John Low 3-0-5-0

Simon Brodbeck 3-1-4-1

Ross McNamara 4-1-3-1

Sean Duggan 3-0-5-1

Stuart Gibbons 2-0-6-3

Chris Gibbons 1.2-0-3-2

Sam Brodbeck 1-1-0-1

So Messrs Duggan and Gibbons were among the wickets too, with Duggan also effecting a smart run-out. A great way for them to sign off.

By the close of play the storm clouds had cleared and the bag was packed to be stored away for another long winter.

Capt: Simon Brodbeck. Wkt: Craig Hand. Match fees: Marc Friday.

But this record-breaking season is not quite over. There is still the Kimball Bailey expedition to the French Riviera to come next weekend. The tally for this thirtieth anniversary season of 2006 stands (excluding midweek games) at 20 victories and only three defeats. Truly an annus miraculus.

THE 2006 RECORD:

Played 30, Won 20, Drawn 7, Lost 3

Riviera Saturday

Saturday October 7 at St Vallier-de-Thiey, Pays de Grasse

Strollers lost by five wickets

Strollers 181-9 (35 overs; 12 a side)
(Hand 55, Taylor 29, Wood 26, Extras 41; Newey 4-30)

Riviera 182-6 (33.3 overs)
(Taggart 47*, Ghauri 29, Natoli 22*; Macaulay 3-34, Patston 2-33)

They came, they saw, they conked out ... the Strollers convened via disparate routes for their inaugural tour of the Riviera in Grasse, centre of the French perfume industry. Would they enjoy the sweet smell of success?

A typically robust Friday evening performance in the Hotel des Parfums restaurant and bar boded well but come the dawn (by which time the bar had run out of rosï¿½ and green chartreuse) heads were thumping, eyes were streaming and the pool was f-f-f-freezing.

Spirits were restored, however, at first sight of the lovely Riviera CC ground, daisy-carpeted and overlooked by mountains on the Route Napoleon.

Fortified by the brilliant Provencal sunshine, Craig Hand was soon striding boldly down the matting wicket to blast the ball to all corners, staunchly supported by Brian Taylor, as upright and elegant as ever, proving he can cut a dash even when not wearing evening linen.

The pair easily put on 100, the first century stand for the Strollers for any wicket anywhere in October, but then fell in quick succession. Left to regroup, the painfully hung-over pairing of Evan Samuel and Tom Wood made jerky progress until Evan fell selflessly trying to the force the pace (a euphemism for missing a slow full toss). Mike Morgan, Tony Carter and Mike Hart went in similar vein soon after but their short stays were nothing compared to what came next.

At 177-5 Wood was eventually bowled for 26 after a scratchy hour and ten minutes. Enter Hugh Anderson, sole representative of the teamï¿½s youth policy owing to a pre-tour footballing injury to Sean Duggan (whose regular requests for update and exhortations to greater success were welcomed; sorry you werenï¿½t there Sean).

Anderson went first ball, thus setting what is thought to be a Strollers record of a golden duck on debut.

It fell to Kimball Bailey to complete the tour's first champagne moment by missing the hat-trick ball neck and crop (well there were nine fielders behind the bat and it was worth a go ï¿½ Ed.) and presenting Richard Newey with three clean-bowled victims in a row ï¿½ possibly another first (records are being checked). It was a collapse spectacular even by Strollers standards.

Anderson redeemed himself somewhat in a fast opening spell but went luckless and wicketless. It was a steady Dan Furlan at the other end who made the only early inroad (middle stump) as Riviera advanced comfortably to 51-1.

But a change of pace brought more of a breakthrough with unflappable Alastair Macaulay capturing three key wickets in his first three overs. Peter Patston picked up two victims, including Strollers tourist Steve Berry who was drafted into the opposition to even up the numbers.

Unfortunately the spinners' modest success only brought in Riviera skipper Peel Taggart, who began to reel in the total with considerable skill and self-belief. Patston's third and final over went for a little matter of 23, leaving Wood and Samuel too much to do to stem the flow and skipper Morgan with too many spaces to fill in the field. Taggart thrashed the first three balls of Samuelï¿½s last over to the boundary and in the end Riviera won with nine balls to spare.

The Strollers restored their spirits in a friendly town centre bar followed by the splendid Restaurant Lou Fassum where the soup was fierce and the wine non-stop, topped up by Craig Handï¿½s jug. They comfortably went the distance required to see in the skipper's birthday with silly songs and even sillier drinks.

Captain & wkt: Mike Morgan (aged 40)

Riviera Sunday

Sunday October 8 at St Vallier-de-Thiey

Strollers won by one wicket

Riviera 156-7 dec
(12 a side; Taggart 51*, Croom-Johnson 45, Flynn 22; Anderson 4-33, Wood 2-19)

Strollers 157-10
(Wood 26*, Morgan 24; Croom-Johnson 3-19, Flynn 3-44, Newey 2-23)

They came, they saw, they just about conquered . . . In a weekend of firsts, Riviera CC got in on the act by agreeing to play their first ever time game.

With Brian Taylor departing for an early flight, Steve Berry came into the Strollers side and it was agreed that Riviera could bat one of their players twice if need be to match our 12. The skipper was presented with a ï¿½garï¿½on dï¿½anniversaireï¿½ t-shirt which he duly wore, though not in the field.

Riviera, showing half a dozen changes from the day before, batted first and were soon in trouble against the Strollersï¿½ reliable attack. Dan Furlan was again canny and accurate and again struck the middle stump first, but this time he was joined by Hugh Anderson who hurried up Rivieraï¿½s top order on his way to a four-wicket haul. He castled numbers one and three and had the dangerous Flynn excellently held by a toppling Tony Carter at gully.

Sadly Carter spilled a couple of easier chances at the other end, where Tom Wood deserved better than 2-19 off his controlled 11 overs. Still, having reduced Riviera to 67-6, the Strollers might have expected to be chasing a more modest target than was eventually set.

Yet again it was Riviera skipper Peel Taggart who put us in our place, never looking remotely troubled en route to an undefeated 50 and a sporting teatime declaration.

And so to tea, truly one of the all-time greats in Strollers history and indeed the northern hemisphere. Congratulations and thanks, particularly to Gloria Ani and Belinda Newey.

Perhaps it was the coronation chicken, the kedgeree, the curried lentils, perhaps it was the beer and wine and sunshine. For some reason the Strollersï¿½ reply lacked momentum.

The openers departed lbw, Craig Hand justly for four, Tony Carter (12) cruelly not so (at least according to Tony; there was room for doubt).

Evan Samuel was unusually becalmed before yes, again, missing a slow full toss; Alastair Macaulay slapped a lusty six in a useful 18; Steve Berry chipped in to good effect for 17 (his first for the Strollers). But for the most part people got in then failed to get on.

Hopes were resting on Tom Wood when he came to grief attempting a lavish swish to leg. The ball hit his foot and bounced up angrily into his face. He retired hurt to clamp an ice pack to his right eye ï¿½ a precaution confirmed by strolling medic Dr Hilary Hogg on her return from a WAGS tripï¿½nï¿½dip to Antibes. Tomï¿½s initial response to medical help was perhaps less than generous.

Hugh Andersonï¿½s brief innings at least got him off the mark for the Strollers, but it was Captain Morgan set about the chase. He was resolutely supported by Kimball Bailey (6), atoning for the day before, and Peter Patston (10), still vaguely mobile after an earlier 10-over spell, his longest (and one of his best ï¿½ Ed.) for five years.

The previous day's hat-trick hero Newey finally did for Morgan when he was well set and Wood returned to resume his innings. The tenth wicket fell with a tricky 23 still required, at which point Taggart claimed a moral victory, despite Dan Furlan striding to the wicket as the Strollersï¿½ twelfth batsman. Wood and Furlan duly took their fill of some perhaps less hostile bowling to record a technical knock-out.

And so the match ended in mild controversy but with honours more or less even. Bonhomie extended to both sides as Riviera invited us back next year and various Strollers forked out for the worldï¿½s most expensive raffle to help the opposition upgrade their wicket. Thanks again to Maggie for scoring.

Later in the hotel bar and Grasseï¿½s only open restaurant the tourists happily rounded off a stonking tour brilliantly organised by Kimball and drank to a fitting finish to the Strollersï¿½ annus mirabilis. La mï¿½me chose encore en 2007, sï¿½il vous plait!

Captain & wkt: Mike Morgan (aged 41)

Statistical note: the 11^th wicket partnership of 23 between Wood and Furlan eclipses the record set in 2003 in Saumur by Aden Forrest and Kimball Bailey. Maggie Patston has undertaken to check all 30 years of scorebooks to see whether it has ever been beaten in the UK.

2006 Match Archive

Great Missenden

Sunday April 23 at Great Missenden

Battersea Ironsides

Saturday April 29 at Morden

Jacobite Chancers

Sunday April 30 at Greenford

Bledlow

Sunday May 7 at Bledlow

Jordans Taverners

Saturday May 13 at Seer Green

Old Rutlishians

Sunday May 14 at Morden

Thames Valley

Wednesday May 24 at Sunbury

LJ Clark

Wednesday May 31 in Wandsworth

Roehampton

Sunday June 4 at Putney

Hampton Wick Royals

Sunday June 11 at Bushey Park

West Chiltington

Sunday June 18 in West Sussex

Battersea Ironsides

Wednesday June 21 at Battersea

Cranham

Saturday June 24 at Cranham

Sheepscombe

Sunday June 25 at Sheepscombe

Windsor Great Park

Sunday July 2 at Windsor

Parrys Whippets

Thursday July 6 at Chiswick

The Times

Saturday July 8 at Dulwich College

Coleshill

Sunday July 9 at Coleshill

Thames Valley

Wednesday July 12 at Sunbury

Chobham

Sunday July 16 at Chobham

Saumur Saturday

Saturday July 22 in Saumur

Saumur Sunday

Sunday July 23 in Saumur

The Gardeners

Sunday July 23 at Greenford

North Maidenhead

Sunday July 30 at Maidenhead

Peppard

Sunday August 6 at Peppard

West Hoathly

Sunday August 20 at Hoathly

Wall

Saturday August 26 at Wall

Stanton by Dale

Sunday August 27 at Stanton

Sutton on the Hill

Monday August 28 at Sutton

Sunbury

Sunday September 3 at Sunbury

Whiteley Village

Sunday September 10 at Weybridge

Valley End

Sunday September 17 at Windlesham

Jesmond Jaguars

Saturday September 23 at Greenford

Hurley

Sunday September 24 at Hurley

Great and Little Warley

Sunday October 1 at Warley

THE 2006 RECORD:

Played 30, Won 20, Drawn 7, Lost 3

Riviera Saturday

Saturday October 7 at St Vallier-de-Thiey, Pays de Grasse

Riviera Sunday

Sunday October 8 at St Vallier-de-Thiey