2s lose with 10

Bearsted travelled to top of the table Penshurst Park with only 10 players. A late cry off in the 1s meant we lost we lost the talented Sam Luxton.
The Penshurst ground is indeed picturesque. For 9 of our team it was the rustic setting within the grounds of the magnificent 14th century crenellated stately home that caught the eye. For one of our number it was the fact the ground was literally surrounded on all sides by a very large flock of sheep.

Skipper Croom called the team in for an important pre match briefing. After all, this was top of the table against third. We listened carefully to his words of wisdom.

We discovered that the sheep were Scottish Black Face sheep, the cute one nearest the pavilion was Flossie and the one with the dodgy hind leg that could not run away was Max.

Croom himself had roped in one player with a promise that he would win the toss and field allowing them to watch the all important Lions first test. It is to your match reporter’s eternal shame that he fell for such implausible flannel and agreed to play.

As usual Croom lost the toss and we were asked to bat. Your match reporter therefore missed a crucial Lions’ game, for the first time since 1989.
With two players arriving late (there is no need to embarrass them so we won’t mention that it was Horrocks and Barker) a last minute change of batting order meant we opened up with Skinner and Latter. Skinner perhaps suffering altitude sickness that high up the order, quickly bottom edged a ball onto his own stumps.

Croom, who had clearly fancied more time off the field of play, reluctantly strode out to the middle.
He and Latter both looked in fairly good form. Unfortunately Latter had pulled a fetlock and was struggling to hobble more than a single.
The opposition attack was tidy, not giving many loose deliveries

Early on the weather was odd, moving between showers and sultry sunshine. The wicket was true but got easier as the sun came out more consistently

Croom scored a good 26 before missing a straight one and getting bowled off his pads.
Filmer scored 8 before feathering a top edge behind.

Horrocks fell in the same manner for a swift 4 and it looked like we might not even see out our overs.
Barker was in next though and looked composed.
Latter went for a fine 43 before being bowled by a cracking delivery that spun sharply from outside off and clipped the leg bail. If he had been able to run properly, his total would have been much more impressive.

Tom Mullins was next in and looked good before looping up a catch to the covers. Annoyingly he did so chasing a ball that undoubtedly would have been called a wide.

Lou French was next in. He was a little nervous but did really well. Barker was batting well and he offered good support.

French’s calling was though a little quiet, much to the frustration of Barker. However it transpired was a lot more reliable than that of the senior partner.

Barker hit one straight to mid on and called Yes. Followed by “Wait, wait”. Somehow French made it back safely.

Barker apologised and explained that he had not seen the fielder. Which might have been more credible if the gentleman in question had not been about 6’4” with a shockingly bright ginger mop of curly hair and a beard.

French was bowled playing an attacking waft and Savage was next in. Again the running between the stumps was entertaining. Savage also managed to run one short whilst admiring his own lofted drive. When Savage was out lbw, Feehan came in at the death.

Barker finished unbeaten on 48. We had reached 169 for 8 off our 40 overs.

Croom was persuaded out onto the field again.
We opened with youth. Tom Mullins (5.2-0-41-0) and Lou French (9-0-39-1) both bowled well getting some movement. The opposition were strong though, in particular their captain who was brutal on any bad deliveries. One hit into midwicket proved too much for Feehan to retrieve who gave up at the second fence he had to climb.
Feehan bowled well for 4 overs but again was punished for anything loose.

Horrocks (9-2-33-0) was probably the pick of the bowlers. Latter (8-0-23-1) supported him well and eventually accounted for their skipper, who departed for 85 missing with an uncharacteristically ugly smear. It was probably his first bad shot.

French did for their No 3, courtesy of a catch by Feehan in the covers.

We did suffer from our usual Achilles Heel, dropping three catches. But it was already too late by then. And generally we fielded well, Mullins in particular attacking the ball and throwing in with pace.

Penshurst won by 8 wickets with a couple of overs to spare.