The match between these two Cambridge heavyweights was staged at the delightful Queens’ College ground where your correspondent first played in 1968; before Woodstock and the first moon landing. The usual blend of youth and experience, masquerading as a club development policy, was much in evidence in a chirpy dressing room.
So, onto the cricket, which proceeded with St Giles batting first on a balmy summer’s evening. Determined to set a competitive tone, skipper Gill opened with the lively Perkins from the Barton Road end and the dogged White from, well, the other end. For St Giles, Seb Hammersley made a decent 44 but Gill, sensing that Coteman’s fifty year association with the ground might produce something (other than some boring reminiscences in the pub afterwards), threw the venerable off-spinner the ball. A good catch from Leary secured a first wicket, a carefully masterminded slip catch by the travelling Clark the next, and a further catch, this time by Perkins, a third. Whilst all this was going on, White was keeping a lid on things, ably assisted by the reliable Heggars (1-18 off four) and the miserly Redmayne. All resulting in a solid overall bowling and fielding performance, which restricted the visitors to 120 from their 20 overs.
In response, Leary made a typically bright start, which included a massive straight six, before the first Philanderer’s wicket fell at 17, followed by a second at 38. After the loss of Leary for 21, Gill took up the cause with some more fine hitting and was finally out for 36, having lost two match balls in the process.
Off the field at this time, Pimblett, that doyen of umpiring, scoring, et al, was delivering to anyone who would listen (very few!) a masterclass in scoring. Many sitting within earshot promptly excused themselves – even those who had already batted said they had to go and get their pads on. When he batted himself, Pimblett found the excitement of twice running a two was too much for one evening and was promptly caught on the crease and departed for 5.
However, it was the youthful Chandraker who steadied the ship and batted with great patience, working the ball around to great effect. He was ably supported by Perkins (more youth) who made a telling contribution before getting out for a useful 15. Chandraker finished with a polished 28 not out, but it was the dependable Heggars who hit the winning run.
So, moving to man of the match, it was all too close to call, if you ignore Pimblett’s tutorial. The mix of youth and experience was the winner of the award on this occasion and it’s this blend that makes Philanderer’s cricket such a pleasure!
Gerald Coteman
The Brains Trust