Refreshers v Falconhurst

Seduced by the glorious weather, and influenced by the fact that not all of the opposition team arrived at the ground on time, the Refreshers decided to field first with the aim of limiting Falconhurst to a modest total. That looked unlikely when Falconhurst posted an opening stand of 50.

However, two quick wickets from Richard Warlow pegged Falconhurst back, and wickets fell at regular intervals thereafter, with Joe Cannon, in particular, helping himself to 4 scalps. Despite this, the Refreshers struggled to dislodge the Falconhurst captain who held their innings together with a well worked 60, and Falconhurst were eventually bowled out for 180, which was 30 or so more than they ought to have been able to score.

In reply, the Refreshers were unable to put together any partnerships of substance, with a wicket seeming to fall each time a promising stand seemed in the offing. Warlow top-scored with a characteristically stylish 25 but ultimately the Refreshers fell well short of their total and were bowled out for 112. Nonetheless, it was a tremendously enjoyable day, played at a beautiful venue and against likeable opposition, in splendid weather. There was also a meat raffle, of course, in which Cannon took third prize.