YOU'VE GOTTA STROLL WITH IT
As dismal Spring finally turned into glorious Summer, Strollers extended their incredible unbeaten run to 29, which includes 24 straight wins. The second anniversary of Strollers last defeat in September 1994 fast approaches, and there is no sign of us relinquishing our record-breaking run just yet.
First up for a thrashing were the feisty northerners from Sunderland Supporters Club on Sunday 19th May at Sutton. Having stopped eating Sugar Puffs due to the honey monster scoring a goal for Newcastle in the latest cereal ad, the Sunderland boys were a bit weak and under-nourished, not to mention the remains of the hangovers after just winning promotion to the Premiership. The weather was more like a freezing, rainy January day in the north east rather than a supposedly fine spring afternoon in the south east, but, put into bat first, Sunderland splattered the ball to all parts of the ground in ferocious gale force winds whilst the beleaguered Strollers bowlers stood ineffective in the dribbling rain. Ending up with 116 for 8, Strollers knew that, in such conditions, victory would not be easy. But it was. Strollers knocked off the runs in fine, if sometimes wobbly, style, with Tim Elliott, desperate for a pint, launching a six back over the bowler's head for the winning runs when only a single was needed. So 122 for 7 (Mauler Matthews 44) saw the Strollers easing to their fifth win of the season.
Next came WRECC at home on Sunday 26th May. WRECC, for all the trainspotters out there in HASSRA Land, stands for West Ruislip and Ealing Cricket Club, yet another amusing acronym to grace the cricket field of a Sunday summer's afternoon. The rain it did pour once more (was summer ever going to start, we asked ourselves), but as we gathered in the Chiswick bar the great umpire in the sky decided that the rain should cease in order that Strollers should continue their glorious run. Controversially, skipper Phil "Heads" Connell was astounded when the coin came up tails, and we were put in to bat. Some sterling batting lead us to 147 for 8 off our 35 overs (Charles Sampson 42, Mauler Matthews 41 and Tim Elliott 17 not out). WRECC were no match for this, and were systematically dismissed for a paltry 91all out (Paul Lees 2 for 24, Paul Lupton 2 for 22, Tim Elliott 2 for 20 and Phil "Line and Length" Connell 2 for 3, the eerie beginning of the skipper's rabbit hunting this season in an attempt to get himself high into those all important bowling averages).
Summer finally arrived on a sunny, if a tad windy, Saturday afternoon in Acton as Strollers took on The Churchill Pub, an adversary after our own hearts if ever their was one. Once again Strollers were put into bat, but a fine performance saw us reach a total of 217 (Charles Sampson 58, "Stalwart" John McGirr 35, Chris "Cobber" Schofield 25 and Mauler Matthews 18 not out). Quick nerd quiz - Nick Clark scored 5 off a single stroke. How ? Answers on a postcard or the back of an envelope, please. A fine bowling performance (apart from a quite embarrassing three overs from Paul "Tangerine Dream" Lupton) saw the home side all out for 168 (Mauler Matthews 3 for 32, Nick Clark 3 for 19, and Phil "Bunny, Bunny" Connell 2 for 6). Thus was the seventh victory of the season assured.
Strollers entertained Stoneleigh Park and Cuddington at Chiswick on a glorious 9th of June. A new fixture, this one, so we weren't quite sure what to expect and the alarm bells certainly began to ring when the opposition were seen going through a fielding practice routine half an hour before most of the Strollers squad had even arrived. Once again skipper Phil lost the toss, and once again Strollers were put into bat. "Stalwart" McGirr scored his highest ever total for Strollers, a solid and extremely well built 87, ably supported by Nick Clark's fastest 50 of the season, as Strollers struck a mammoth 221 for 8 - now we know why they needed the fielding practice ! Stoneleigh then decided to impersonate the bore draws of John Lewis as they shut up shop almost immediately, making no attempt whatsoever to win the match. However, this was an overs match and draws were not on the agenda. Stoneleigh ended up with 116 for 8 after a traditionally strong Strollers bowling performance, and the eighth victory of the season was ably notched up. However, Stoneleigh's blocking tactics left a bitter taste in the mouth... ...which leads us nicely on to the teas. Perry stormed back in fine form against Sunderland and WRECC, his infamous teas reaching new heights with the addition of some rather fine looking hors-d'oeuvres. The home teas at Chiswick, however, seem to have shrunk. The chocolate eclairs against Stoneleigh Park and Cuddington resembled Derek's tiny chipolatas rather than the large German sausages experienced on day one of the season. So what is going on ? Have Government cuts finally bitten into the size of the cakes at official catering establishments ? We demand to be told!
Tim Elliott