Blazers and a Tie

Early August saw a new fixture against White Hunter CC from the Meon Valley who were formed over thirty years ago by two cricket lovers because “no-one else would have us”. At the end of the game they presented us with a small book entitled “Not out first ball – The art of being beaten in beautiful places” which charts their history and ethos. It was another good game, which we should have won but didn’t as they managed to field their strongest side of the season. The book is an amusing read and will be stored in the "library" in the pavilion.

Then on Sunday 11 August we welcomed the Cricketers Club of London, replete in a variety of colourful blazers, whose past presidents include Denis Compton, Godfrey Evans and Colin Cowdrey. Fonthill accumulated 168-9, with Ashley Major (27), Ferdie and Ed Spicer (both 24)and rupert Murray (20) keeping the score ticking along as the wickets fell with no-one dominating. Remarkably, no less than five of the nine wickets in this innings were due to batsmen “playing” on to their stumps.

After another sumptuous tea, Fonthill bowled very economically, opening with Tom Mitchell off his short run in celebration of his 35th birthday. The visitors were made to earn every run with a well-set field as they scaled their target. With 21 needed off the last three overs the game was set for an exciting finish, and so it proved. After the buccaneering work of the young bucks Charlie Round, Ferdie Spicer, Beau Swallow and Henry Smith the honour and responsibibility of bowling the final over fell to senior maestro Jon Sealy, with only ten needed to win. To cap a great afternoon of tense cricket the scores finished level on 168 apiece at the end. A tie, and a fair result!