Refreshers v Philanderers – Oxford University Parks

Friday 30 June 2017

Having lost no less than four players within a week of the start of this game, the Refreshers still managed to turn out an eleven (albeit with a few ringers) for an inaugural fixture against the Philanderers on Friday 30 June 2017.

The Philanderers batted first. The bowling was opened by John Maynard, formerly of the West Indies, and Elliott Matthews, one of his current proteges. It was tight and the Philanderers were 40 odd for 2 after about 15 overs. The remainder of the bowling was done by Richard Warlow, Martin Pascoe (one of no less than 5 QC’s playing in the game), Sacha Sandelson (who at 13 years of age bowled 16 overs of leg spin taking 2 for 82), Simon Davenport (another QC, who to his delight took a wicket) and Richard Saunders, our captain for the day and not yet a QC, who took 2-7 from 2 overs. Ultimately however the Philanderers reached 211 for 9 from 50 overs with one of their top scorers being Patrick Lawrence QC who made 35.

When it came to the Refreshers’ turn to bat, we got off to a pretty useful start. At tea we were 80-2 and the game looked like it would be pretty close. However after tea disaster struck. With the help of a couple of decisions which probably were not correct (Richard Warlow was given out caught behind off his pad and David Alexander QC was never lbw – well at least in his mind) the Refreshers were all out for 129 in 29 overs. So sadly we lost. But there is always next year …