BB - 172 - 8 d
Belmont 147 - 8 (all out)
BB WIN BY 25 RUNS
Having come within a wicket of victory against the Trustees last year, the Band of Brothers pulled off a 25 run win in a match that ebbed and flowed throughout the day. It was a spirited showing from BB, given that opening bowler Piers Richardson had pulled out the day before with a dislocated shoulder. In his place stepped eight-year-old James Schilder, who had turned up in his replica England kit to watch his Dad, Matthew. More of that later, but we believe James must be the youngest-ever player to grace a BB side.
Alex Rice won the toss for BB and elected to bat on a very warm July day. Tom Boucher and Ted Ratcliffe (brother of candidate Oscar) began assuredly against a very good opening attack - until Brother Boucher was out to a stunning, unorthodox catch at mid off; Belmont's Berry dived to his left and somehow caught the ball with his right hand, inches above the ground. When the Ratcliffe brothers went in quick succession soon after, BB suddenly found themselves 18 for 3.
Matt Jay and Matthew Schilder steadied the BB ship with some disciplined batting and when Brother Jay was given out caught behind (unluckily, it seems) Paddy Patrick continued the revival. Brothers Schilder and Patrick put on 88 together either side of lunch in a match-winning partnership, with Matthew mixing solid defence with some big hitting on his way to 66.
It was Matthew's young son, James, who really provided the innings highlight though - coming into bat at number 10. Belmont House Trustees, to their great credit, were very happy to give eight-year James the opportunity and opening bowler Annand Cul bowled him five slow but straight deliveries. James played them perfectly and took a single off the last ball, to great cheers from those watching. BB then declared, giving the Trustees around 36 overs to chase 173 for victory.
Olly Robinson, bowling a very fast opening spell before tea, claimed an early breakthrough when he found an edge which flew to Alex Rice at 4th/5th slip. But Brother Robinson tweaked a muscle in his back a few overs later, and the Trustees - Cusworth in particular - played some classy shots to move to 69 for 1. Carl Reading, bowling just as menacing a spell as he had last season, grabbed a much-needed second wicket at this point but when the Trustees were 133 for 3, they were the Bookies' favourites.
The key wicket then arrived courtesy of Tom Boucher, who bowled Cusworth for 77. BB didn't look back. Paddy Patrick, who bowled an admirable 10 over spell uphill and into the wind, had the dangerous Thorneycroft caught at mid-off and the wickets continued to tumble. James Schilder showed that he is just as exciting a prospect with the ball by bowling a very tight over, and it was the captain, Brother Rice, who clinched victory by clean bowling Vinson and Boshier.
The Trustees were left to rue the absence of one of their players who, it emerged, had enjoyed himself a little too much at the Whitstable Oyster Festival the night before and failed to recover in time. But a win is a win, and we thank the Trustees for a most enjoyable match as well as a wonderful lunch and tea.
| Friendly Belmont House Trustees v Band of Brothers |
| Sunday, July 24 2016 (11:51) at Belmont House |
| Band of Brothers Won By 25 runs |
| Band of Brothers won toss and decided to bat |
| Band of Brothers |
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| 1-18 | 2-18 | 3-18 | 4-40 | 5-128 | 6-152 | 7-154 | 8-171 | 9- | 10- |
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| Belmont House Trustees |
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| 1-14 | 2-69 | 3-111 | 4-133 | 5-137 | 6-137 | 7-141 | 8-147 | 9- | 10- |
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| Weather: Hot Pitch: Hard |
| Umpires: J Widgery & NoneProvided |
| Scorers: DJ Gittings & NoneProvided |