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The Philanderers v The Gentlemen of Cambridge, Thursday 21st June at Gonville & Caius

Splendid midweek sunshine greeted the Philanderers dirt-trackers at Cauis. There was some pre-match changing room distress caused by rumours of a charming interloper from Oundle however it was sagely observed that at least he wasn’t from Framlingham. Sir George lost the toss and the Gents of Cambridge chose first dig.

The wily opening pair of White (0-25) and Burnett (1-20) took the new conker. The two left-handed openers began the innings efficiently, if not spectacularly; good balls were respected with the loose ones dispatched to the fence, often in the third man region.

A partnership of 43 was brought to end by Burnett and a waddling catch at mid-off from your Correspondent. Sadly, this brought in a more able right-hander (Sturmer) who went on to swoosh and swat his way to 59.

Perkins (0-21) and Holmes (1-29) both bowled well without luck (the former the pick) as the Gents batsmen went on the offensive. The skipper (0-11) took the responsibility of stemming the flow but withdrew after one over to be replaced by the laconic Campbell (1-30) who finally dismissed Sturmer. There was a clatter of latter innings wickets – including 2 run outs which I can’t recall and therefore can’t describe! – as the Gents pressed for runs. Their innings eventually culminated on 151-6 at the end of the 20th over – a score which was to prove well above-par on a tacky, two-paced wicket.

In the absence of midweek-terroriser Gill, Leary and D’oyly were charged with getting our response off to a good start. Leary unfurled his customary display of languid timing utilising the fast outfield to great effect. Sadly D’oyly (7) was bowled and your Correspondent (6) was then stumped. Catastrophically, Leary (19) had his timber re-arranged shortly thereafter leaving the innings in a pickle at 34-3. Seeking re-assurance from the dressing room over a delivery which had apparently mis-behaved: “sorry mate, you just missed it”.

Wickets tumbled as Sir George (23) attempted to glue together the innings from the engine room. Three nice boundaries were followed by a swashbuckling flicked maximum over deep-backward square. Sadly, by this time we were deep in the mire; 7-down with less than 80 on the board. A few lusty blows from Perkins (13) followed but we had lamely collapsed to 88 all out when Burnett (0) was castled in the 16th over.

A pleasant evening against friendly opposition but not a batting display to remember with too much fondness – back to winning ways in Grantchester next week.

Chris Rogers

Shortly after the game the Fuhrer tweeted to his millions of followers on ‘Fleece Page’ that his only consolation was the complete lack of his august physical presence at this debacle

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