This much-anticipated fixture got underway on one of the hottest days of the year, although conditions were otherwise perfect for an all-day game to sign off the summer. Winning the toss, Zingari chose to bat – why wouldn’t you?
The beating sun, and his partner’s reminder ringing in his ears, had Coteman rushing for the sun cream. Without a mirror things were bound to go wrong, and the veteran ended up with an embalming quantity of Factor 50 all over his boatrace, as the picture below testifies.
The Zingari openers looked solid and progressed to 49 before skipper Pearson (Ed) bowled Robb for 14 with his new look seam-up variety. Another 20 runs were added to the total before Coteman (having by now removed some of the embalming fluid) bowled the other opener with another trademark delivery. The morning session continued with bat and ball competing well with each other. Lunch was a leisurely affair, as it should be, and at this juncture both teams felt that they were in a decent position. Zingari managed to get to 139 before losing their fifth wicket but the post-lunch session definitely belonged to the Phillies or, to be precise, to Fullarton. The accuracy of the left arm orthodox proved too much for the Zingari middle and lower order, which promptly collapsed. Fully ended with 5-15 off six overs. Dean and Davidson had worked hard and ended with 1-32 and 1-14 respectively. Das picked up a well-deserved wicket (1-22) and Coteman, who had bowled a longer spell than anyone else and kept things tight, finished with 1-30 off nine overs.
Zingari’s total of 154 was well below par but before Phillies could get a run on the board Gill had mistimed one to mid-on and was caught. Gadsby was joined by Chandraker and the two of them took the score to 56 with some exquisite shots between them. Gadsby was then caught and bowled by Hollingworth for 29, which brought Wright to the wicket. Chandraker fell for 29 and Wright was joined by Fullarton. From 63 for three the two of them looked untroubled and saw the Phillies home with a really well constructed partnership of 91, which had contained some great cricket shots. A good win by seven wickets.
Man of the match, Fullarton finished on 57 (to go with his Fifer) and Wright on a well-made 35.
I make special mention of the officials for this game, as it was hot work flawlessly executed - umpires Rakesh Chandraker and Steve Kent-Phillips, and scorer Norm Bygrave. Thank you guys!
It was good to see John Burnett, Lawrence Bailey, David Pimblett and of course himself, turning out to lend support.
Post match there was much talk of the ‘demise’ of the Philanderers’ Cricket Club. Such idle chatter must be brushed aside with renewed efforts to maintain these fixtures, along with the camaraderie and bonhomie that makes them so very special.
Gerald Coteman
The victorious Phillies’ eleven pictured with our beloved leader
Wright and Fullarton at the end of their unbroken partnership
Rakesh Chandraker and Steve Kent-Phillips, with scorer Norm Bygrave