Arriving at Swaffham Bulbeck slightly late on the evening of the 24th July to see that Fraser Roebuck, a firm occupant of the number 11 spot in the 2014 Perse 1st XI, was fully padded up was not especially encouraging. The Philanderers were already four down after just six overs, and James Tilbury could be heard muttering in the background about a mix up between him and his partner, leading to him being comically run out for 4. However, due to a quick fire 17 at the top of the order from George Hall, and a late partnership between Tom P-T and Charlie Pelham, which included some fiery running between the wickets, the Philanderers managed to post a final score of 148-8 at the end of the 20th over.
The fielding innings for the Philanderers was largely uneventful as the two Swaffham Bulbeck openers steadily approached the target, hitting a 100 partnership. They gave just two chances in the process, which, despite valiant efforts on the boundary from Laurence Bailey, didn’t bear fruit. Wickets were eventually taken by Hall and Tilbury, but it was perhaps too little too late and the runs were knocked off with four balls to spare, giving Swaffham Bulbeck an 8 wicket win. A team meeting was immediately held in the very conveniently located pub to, of course, discuss solely where we could improve for next time.
Tom Picton-Turbervill
'Club legend Alastair Lorimer, seen here as a callow youth, arrived from pre history to umpire the game'