The Philanderers v Nomads, Sunday 21st June at Fitzwilliam College

Having been beaten comfortably by Nomads in 2025 the Phillies were set on revenge as the two sides met at a splendid looking Fitzwilliam College ground. An all-day game on a very hot day was likely to be a stern test for both sides.

Losing the toss Phillies found themselves in the field. The Nomads' openers were a mixture of youth and experience, or talent and obduracy - one end scoring decent runs and the other not able to hit the ball off the square. Nevertheless, Nomads got off to a good start as their first few batters (several of them very good players) took advantage of a really good batting track and some width from the Phillies’ seamers. Spencer Hawkins, one of the Foxton Granta overseas players who was recruited at the last minute, gave a good account of himself opening the attack with some lively left arm over bowling and was unlucky not to get more than the one wicket. Ed Pearson, with his seam-up genre, grabbed two important wickets as Nomads began to build what was looking like a big final total. Young Seb Taylor, in his second game for the Phillies continued to impress with his maturity and bowled seven excellent overs and deserved more than the one wicket.

In the midst of all of this, George Means was called on by skipper Davidson to break the cycle of seam bowling with his usually effective leg-spin. After a bumpy start George was landing them well and Coteman dropped a decent chance at mid-off off his bowling. But it was then that calamity struck - for the second time in Phillies’ colours the lad’s shoulder popped out. Was there a doctor in the house? Alex Lockie, whose speciality is Anaesthetics gave the shoulder the once over and declared that it was a case for A&E. Lunch was taken whilst Ed Pearson took the leg-spinner to Addenbrooke’s where the injury was given priority and the shoulder returned to its rightful state. Needless to say, poor George took no further part in the game except, on his triumphant return to the ground, as drinks carrier.

Lunch was a superb affair courtesy of a sumptuous BBQ organised by our leader. Most took full advantage of the offering, including Pimblett who reasoned that, due to his umpiring at both ends, extra visits to the grill were only fair.

Nomads resumed after lunch to build on their already solid score and still only three down. Skipper Davidson, on reviewing his bowling options, decided that it was time to introduce Coteman, his venerable off-spinner, into the attack. This move changed the balance in the Phillies’ favour. Removed from the fray after taking four wickets the veteran subsequently returned to complete his second ‘fifer’ for the Club. During all of the excitement, Nomads’ score had not progressed to the previously anticipated heights, and time was running out for them to make a competitive declaration, but they did so, leaving the home side to chase an achievable 229 with plenty of time, on a good wicket and with a fast outfield.

The Phillies’ reply started with fireworks from Gill (what’s new?) who clubbed his first three balls for four. This was followed by two incidents that set the run-chase back, almost irretrievably in retrospect. Gill was run out by a direct hit and then the same fielder took a stunning catch to dismiss Pearson. The rest of the Phillies’ scorecard was a bit of a horror story with the exception of Seb Taylor who came in first wicket down and departed as seventh out with a highly creditable 49. Without his contribution through the middle of the innings the Phillies’ effort would have been more embarrassing than it was. As the innings petered out, and with only ten fit batsmen, Coteman joined Perkins and for a while it looked like the pair might pull off the draw. But, when Coteman misjudged a slow-ball bouncer (whatever that is) with eight balls left to face, it was all over with Phillies still 100 runs short of their target.

Taking some positives from the result, as football managers tend to attempt after a thrashing; Lockie’s keeping was very good considering he does it so rarely; lunch was of the highest order, and the arrival of an ice cream van, as everyone started to wilt, was a masterstroke.

However, the real bonus was 15-year-old Seb Taylor whose all-round performance was both mature and refreshing. With the 74-year-old Coteman bagging 5-49 it seems appropriate to misquote JFK in his inaugural address – ‘Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of cricketers.’ Well done Seb!

Gerald Coteman

Young all rounder Seb with aged "fifer" Gerald.

Crowd flocking to the ice cream van.