This eagerly awaited re-match with Remnants (a nemesis of late) was staged under sullen skies at Fitzwilliam College ground. The pitch, unusually, showed early signs of significant life and bounce as the Philanderers openers began the task of posting an impregnable score.
Rogers and Leary made a promising start but failed to kick on to greater things, with the latter going to a good catch in the deep by the opposition skipper. Gill then drilled one to the same fielder, this time at mid-on, who pulled off another good catch. Enter Matt Sampson (a Remnants export on this occasion!) to begin the task of taking the game away from the home side. Sampson’s lively and hard hitting innings of 83 was admirably supported by the travelling Alan Clarke who contributed a polished 33 in a stand of 120.
Remnants made a spirited start towards the Philanderers total of 160 through Bridgeman and Serby (Snr), and were ahead of the rate at the halfway point. However, wickets fell and the the pace slowed in the second half as Clarke (3-13) and Burnett (1-16) from their respective four over spells, put the brakes on.
Victory for Philanderers was eventually secured by 27 runs.
As to man of the match, this had to be from the Philanderers dressing room – Samson’s 83 not out was splendid, but for his all round performance of 33 not out and 3-13, as well as being a decent bloke and for travelling up from Kent, my man of the match was Alan Clark.
As usual, the details of the game were then poured over at some length in the gloaming, pint in hand. The Philanderers will have slept well, happy to have have exacted revenge over Remnants with a pretty good day at the office.
Gerald Coteman
