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The game of cricket moved into a new era when a Farringdon side took on Chawton at home on a glorious Sunday afternoon.

A free Sunday in the Chawton fixture list provided the opportunity for a hastily convened Farringdon Cricket Team to fill the gap and take on their neighbours.

Encouraged by liquid sponsorship from the Rose and Crown, the Farringdon players set off on the arduous journey along the Lonely Mile to face Chawton on home territory.

Despite the lack of match practise, Farringdon, batting first, notched up the runs and by the time your reporter arrived (slightly delayed by the Monaco Grand Prix and a hefty Sunday Lunch) spectators were being entertained with a succession of boundaries from the imposing figure of Rob Walsh-Smith who, along with many of the Farringdon batsman kept the scorer busy during their innings.

Spectators made use of any vantage point, although Farringdon team member Paul Granger, whose cricketing experience prior to this match was approximately nil , might well have been tempted to adopt the adjacent headgear for his innings, bearing in mind the pace of the bowler operating from the far end.

 

 

There were quieter moments and with a rare Sunday afternoon off the Rev Tony Pears made use of the quieter moments to give the brain cells a little exercise.

On the pitch, Farringdon continued to notch up the runs at much the same rate as some of the spectators were knocking back the Pimms.

Despite the lack of pre-match practise, Farringdon declared at a very respectable 257 for 8 and David Burton and Ian Gerrard led the players in for tea with some confidence that they might sneak a victory from their more experienced neighbours.

With tea over the team convened for a morale building huddle to discuss tactics, before taking the field to defend their total against the home team.

As play continued in the heat of the afternoon a couple of early wickets gave Farringdon some hope, although the bowlers match fitness was severely tested by the heat of the late afternoon.

Frequent drinks breaks were taken by both players and spectators, young Hattie following the example of her elders in maintaining liquid levels and setting her own example by heading back to dispose of the empties responsibly.

Meanwhile Tony seemed to have arrived at an impasse with 52 down and mustered the brains of the Ross and Dussek contingent in an attempt to fill the remaining spaces.

 

As the shadows lengthened the Chawton batsmen began to make inroads into the run deficit but your reporter was forced to head home (to meet the conditions of his license) before the Chawton team equalled the Farringdon total, achieving victory in style with a final boundary

Chawton: 261- 6

Farringdon: 257 - 8 dec

 

The Farringdon Village Cricket Team

From Left to Right - Ian Garrard, Rupert Anderton, Tom Orchard, Paul Grainger, Rob Walsh-Smith,
Brian Orchard, Peter Thursfield, Nick Denny, David Burton, Richard Buer,
In front Mike Wallace and Phil Miles.

Thanks to Phil Miles for help and information

 

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