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Tabard Pilgrims Cricket Club

GRIM DAY AT BELLINGDON

Sunday, July 23 v Bellingdon.

By Martin Garrett

After a major run of success, a ten-man Pilgrims team lost at Bellingdon.

The hosts reached a total of 183 for six off 35 overs. This should have been an impossible target. It promised to be rather lower after Gussie got the ’Grims off to a promising start when Zaher fended off a bouncer into the hands of waiting slip David Haines. (Who? Ed.). Indeed it would have been less had the ’Grims been up to full strength in the field. There was then a slow and lengthy stand between Asif and Wright until David got into the act again – this time as a bowler, when Brett Price took a catch at square leg.

The Bellingdon batsmen started to open up a bit with several sixes hit to the short boundary side of the ground until Asif tried one big hit too many and was caught by a particularly good catch on the boundary by Gussie off the Commander.

But as the innings progressed Pilco and David became walking wounded and already down to ten, the Grims inevitably had difficult to controlling the runs, although it must be said that although they sometimes look as if they are sponsored by Diary Crest, on this occasion they fielded very well. No Bellingdon batsman got beyond the thirties and no ’Grims bowler went for more than made more than 39. The ferocity with which the Grims pressed home there attack can only be imagined, but more than one batsman wore a helmet and another – as if pleading for mercy – even wore a Pilgrims shirt! Xero bowled splendidly with two for 15 off five overs and Tickle was unlucky not to pick up a wicket in a tight spell. And so to tea.

The ’Grims approached their tea table expectantly. In the centre was a large mound of filled rolls consisting mainly of er... well, bread actually. Thin slices of Swiss roll covered the fine leg and long on positions and packets of crisps were distributed around the boundary. Overall there was a general feeling that something was missing and no reason not to get on with the cricket. One might – given the composition of the opposition – almost have expected a good curry. Mind you, there’s always the runs to be considered.

As for the ’Grims response. Well, I will be brief – as they were. Four batsmen failed to trouble the scorers – surely a record. Flymo scored more than Penthouse, which was generally acknowledged to be record of some sort and only Tickle, Bumpy and Commander – whose top scoring 27 included three sixes – made double figures.

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