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Result - St. Paul's 'All Stars'

Wed May 15th The Grannies lost by 30 runs

Match report

History is written by the victors. So fortunately the annals will pay greater weight to Gary the St Paul's School 1st XI football coach's assessment that 'there was definitely a run there' than any suggestion that the captain was foolish in calling for a quick single to a miss-field at point that resulted in Larry Brennan being run out. His departure for 60 meant the Grannies' chance of victory of the St Paul's All Stars disappeared quicker than the sun setting over the school buildings.
In truth, 161 by an untypically strong St Paul's side was always going to prove a testing target, though one that have been a smaller had a couple of stumping appeals not so readily been turned down by the umpire (and had Bob picked up the flight of a top edge that soared high into the sky and landed barely three yards behind him). Oh yes, and had we bowled and fielded a bit better; though due acclaim must be given to James Richards' superb catch at point, at the second attempt, off Digby Don to dismiss their big-hitting opening bat. The other two wickets fell to Chris Good's flight and Andrew de Mestre's accuracy.
Still with a strong batting line-up there was hope, if not expectation, that a positive result could be achieved. Such optimism was tempered straight away when James Streeter departed in the second over, bowled off an inside edge, having not troubled the scorer. AdM joined him in the pavilion three overs later, caught going for one lusty blow too many, and it was 20 for two off five overs.
But with Larry getting his eye in, finding the boundary with increasing regularity, and Mark de St Croix delivering some lusty blows, the required run rate came down, and hope rose. Two wickets in two balls - Mark caught for 21, James bowled off the following ball - stalled the onslaught but the skipper joined Larry at the crease with victory still very much achievable. Larry took advantage of a short leg-side boundary, and some exquisite timing, to move past 50 before the decisive moment. Larry carved one to point where the fielder somehow stopped the ball through a combination of boot and calf; there might have been one, there was certainly hesitation, but the net result was Larry run out for 60, which he took with remarkable good grace.
Tom, the player kindly donated by St Paul's, quickly departed, lbw for none, and there was to be no redemption for the skipper, who was caught for eight off an ugly hoik soon after. Digby did his best to claw the target within reach with some good running and big-hitting, but it was all in vain as the Grannies fell 30 runs short.
We retired to the pub for a drink or three and to hear Gary's sage assessment of the game's pivotal moment.

Match info

A gentle (at least until the Aussie gap year TA comes on to bowl) early season run-out a stone's throw from the Thames.



Location
St Paul's School ,
Lonsdale Road,
Barnes,
SW13 9JT

How to get there
This year things are made complicated by Hammersmith Bridge being closed to traffic, so those driving will need to do so via Putney or Chiswick bridges. other option is a walk from Hammersmith station