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With the shadow of two heavy 2005 defeats hanging over the Strollers, Cowden was always going to be about character. The courage to face down our demons. Collectively, facing the prospect of a first season without a victory or an early night club ejection. And individually, with the prospect of batting averages of 0.5, a leading wicket taker on just three scalps, and several players facing career- threatening stats. The St John's debacle had left scars. The only question was how deep. Both the English and Australian teams were watching carefully, seeking the lessons in temperament and unsustainable self-confidence that only the Strollers could provide.

 

And the team stepped up the plate, dug deep, looked in the mirror and filled their boots.

 

Facing a weakened Cowden Ladoceans on Saturday, the Strollers put their opponents on the back foot by cajoling them into a 30/30 match, and putting them in. Good opening spells from Alex (1/12) and Rick (1/16)  kept the pressure on, laying the foundations for decisive spells from T. Fletcher (3/11, including the skipper and top run scorer), Jonny Allen (1/23, including a corker of a delivery) and L.Fletcher (a tight-fisted 1/13). Paddy showboated a diving catch to take the champagne moment, after the Cowden middle order had been tempted by one of TF's long hops. Cowden were restricted to 116/7 by some tight fielding and despite a generous three overs from declaration bowler Crocker Cross. But the Strollers will feel they lacked the killer instinct, with several catches going down (three from Crocker), plus a missed stumping after Jonny A had carved through a hapless opponent. Maurice, in his first match as stumper, will have felt his efforts (7 byes, the occasional appeal) laid a case to become 2nd team keeper. The jury is out.

 

Strollers debutante Si Holliday led the response. Clearly feeling the pressure of performing at this level, he battered and bullied the Cowden openers for 36 off 12 balls, before the team reminded him of his nagging back injury, and he was forced to limp off. Paddy, very much the junior partner, took up the gauntlet, and sprayed a swaggering 46. But distracted by questions over how to become only the second Stroller to reach fifty twice, he let the ball drift into his back pad, leaving a delighted Si to send him back to the pavillion. The Strollers had their usual mid order collapse, with Rob Tinline bagging a goldie, and Crocker Cross departing second ball for a duck. But Jon Allen confounded the critics to steer the team home with a swashbuckling 21 not out, including his patented reverse drive, a performance that led to him being crowned man of the match (by 21 votes to 1). Paddy went off for a while and made a 'phone call. 

 

A delighted Strollers team had moved 2-1 up against oldest opponents Cowden, and there was much to celebrate, not least Jon Allen's commanding return to form, and Crocker's effort at the Worst Ever Strollers Performance. The stage was set for the only venue befitting such a triumph, and Jumping Jacks recognised the performance by providing free entry, champagne and shots, plus a VIP area/high jump. In the process, Allen senior atoned for his errors of thirty years ago, and became Strollers Hon Event Organiser. The Strollers responded in typical style (see individual performances), and several East Grinstead bouncers practised their grips. Special mention to Paddy for sporting a tight sequinned dress, and ripping it off on stage. Few non-Strollers found space at the front of the exhibition stage. Despite nine official warnings, we were there at the death, leading excited onlookers in an impromptu anthem of You'll Never Stroll Alone. Rob was nailed by the White Horse for breaking and entering (into his own room), and Rick tried a (frankly disappointing) rise, with a half-baked story about being taken to the police station.  

 

Job done.

 

Day 2 was always going to be tougher. Hangovers, tougher opponents, the added pressure of being just a score away from the season averages. The Strollers became one of the first sides to have a church service written for them, and put on an awesome display of pre-match catching to intimidate a groggy looking Fountain side, some who had put in performances the night before worthy of a Stroller at Jumping Jacks. The skipper won another crucial toss, and took the game to the Fountain by opting to bat. Several (near-senior) players questioned the decision, though little was made of it by the end of the day. T. Fletcher responded by leading from the front with an uncharacteristically stylish 33. But it was Si Holliday who kicked the biggest hole in the Fountain attack. His ton included several lusty blows, five drops, a few edgy moments (to be expected in any player stepping up to this level), and laid the basis for the second highest Strollers total ever, 202/10 declared. Rick and Paddy chipped in with cameos of 19 and 18, to steady nerves created by Maurice's duck and Jonny Allen's goldie. Macca (the Beijing barber) became the first person to score runs off the back off his bat, but kept the field guessing with his range of Chinese cuts.       

 

The hard work had been done, but the Strollers have thrown away games from stronger positions. The team huddle and impromptu Caravan of Love rendition demonstrated their steely intent, and they set about the Fountain with an unparallelled display of controlled aggression and fielding enthusiasm. Even Tingle was running. The Fountain top order scored heavily, but Si and Paddy kept them tied down with an expert display of spin bowling. Paddy bounced back well from being hit for several of the largest sixes in Strollers history, and could claim a large part in the dismissal of the Fountain's Kiwi/Australian (by agreeing to be removed from the attack). Rick (2/11) and Luke (2/10) put in their best combined display (spurred by the race to be leading wicket taker) to rip the heart out of the middle order. There were some nervous moments, as an eleven year old - unintimidated by 11 players around the bat - took Paddy's bowling apart. But, once again, Si excelled, to finish with 6/31. Champagne moment was a match turning diving catch at slip from Vasey, but the Strollers showed the necessary steel and determination to take a fantastic victory (in the process giving England's Old Trafford warriors several lessons in finishing).     

 

Records tumbled - first double header victory on English soil, first "five-for", Worst Ever Performance by a Stroller, Worst Ever performance by a former-Stroller, Rick taking a second wicket, Paddy being out-sledged, Ed Duffus's enthusiasm being matched by all the side.

 

Glory.

 

 

 

- needed to rally the team after a woeful season under other skippers. Won two crucial tosses, and took the gutsy decision in both cases. Fortunate to take 3/11 on Saturday (all caught off poor balls), and took himself out of the attack on Sunday. Did not bat on Saturday, but opened up with a gritty 33 on Sunday to lay the foundations for a victory. As all Strollers, will take most pleasure from double victory weekend, while secretly wishing he'd bowled and batted a bit more. Delighted to be told by Fountain skipper that he had "out-captained" him. Took plenty of criticism for some erratic field placings, but got the results. The opposition questioned the use of the huddle and employment of a sports psychologist.         

 

- rating 7/10 (as usual includes no bonus for organisation/booking/paying)

 

 

- one of several senior players needing to make a point. Confidence slightly shaken by defeat at the hands of St John's, and barrage of press criticism (led by Rick). But always a big Cowden weekender. Also missed out on the easy Saturday runs (not batting), and will be massively disappointed that his one chance to shine with the bat was cut short by Si "Boycs" H, leaving him with a season average of 1.5, and more runs than wickets. Will surely bounce back with the bat in 2006. Useful spells with the ball, including some real aggression on Sunday to take the middle order out.

 

- rating: 6/10 

 

 

- his temperament remains in question, but put in a gutsy weekend, and confronted several demons, not least in hitting old adversary Len for two sixes. Still some work to do to silence critics, but will take encouragement from a chancy knock of 19 and two spells of hostile and intelligent bowling. An increasingly vocal presence in the field with a strong - if erratic -  arm. Knows he's in contention for much sought after Player's Player, but will be kicking himself that he is not yet putting in the big performaces necesary for the secondary accolade of Player. 

 

- rating 7/10     

 

 

- a big tourist who never fails to brighten up the fixture, with bat, ball or doing press ups on the floor of JJs in a sequinned dress. Decent knock on Saturday for a respectable 46 (bringing him into contention for fourth best player of the day), but needs to convert into greater efforts in 2006 if he is to become the first Stroller to a second fifty. Elevated to number 9 in the batting order on the Sunday, and did excatly what was required - a pinch-hitting 18 and making Rob run. Twelve overs of frog in the blender bowling on Sunday deserved better than his figures of 1/67. Several massive sixes underminded an otherwise solid effort. Gutsy and loud in the field, as ever. Gained a telling off from the Kiwi/Ozzie, but continued to out-psyche several batsmen (and many of his own team). Never one to miss the chance to go for four overthrows. Has made JJs his own - sensational. High Jumps, cross-dressing, press ups, stage dives, bouncing, bouncer-baiting. Has it all in his locker.  

 

- rating 8/10 (including a JJs bonus point, and one for bringing Si)

 

 

- came into the game facing massive pressure, having been relegated to Third Team keeper. Responded strongly, with a comedy, crowd pleasing 4 not out including the usual range of unconventional shots while trying to get out of the way. Youngy's mate will be disappointed to have made only two of four games this season, but made up for it by bringing an attractive girlfriend, very popular with the opposition. To secure the second team gloves, we need to see him standing up to the spinners and appealing once or twice a game. Still always an early name on the teamsheet, not least given he flew down specially.    

 

- rating 2/5 (as only played one game, bonus point for flying deducted for attending Gran's 90th on a Strollers weekend)

 

 

- a quieter weekend for the Big Man, though he relished being one of only two players to have appeared in every game of the season. Confident scores of 11 and 9, but needs to stick around to match his early season triumphs. As always, a fine representational Stroller. Awesome on the stage at Jumping Jacks, including by concussing the skipper on an overhead speaker

 

- rating (5/10)  

 

 

- disappointing given his billing. A slow 36 (12 balls) before retiring hurt with an inexplicable back injury, weak Sunday figures of 6/31 (a Strollers record) and "the worst ton I've ever scored". Off the pitch failures included running the first Strollers book. Only high point was his Boycottesque running out of Luke, standing his ground to leave Luke disappointedly hoping Rick would get out cheaply too. His sports psychology added depth to the squad. Clearly a natural Stroller, if he can sort out his cricket. As one third season player commented (and their can be no greater judge of character or quality of accolade): "a terrific all-round Stroller".  

 

- rating 9/10 (because it would not be Strolleresque to get a 10). Please come back next year, and you can bring a mate or two (Paddy?, Jon?) if you want. 

 

 

- good to see a return to his natural home for this 2002 Stroller. Looked solid with the bat, and was unlucky that the scorers missed half his runs. A mixed debut with the ball, with several wides detracting from some otherwise decent stuff. Ran away with Sunday's champagne moment for a blinding catch to dismiss the left hander who was taking Paddy apart. Lifted the side with several further exploits in the field. A solid Jumping Jacks debut.

 

- rating 6/10 

 

 

- will take great encouragement from his Man of the Match performance on Saturday, and his reverse drives will terrify wicket keepers in 2006. A quieter day on Sunday, with a goldie and a (perhaps harsh) omission from the bowling. But excelled with his work on Jumping Jacks (free entry, champagne, shots). Will be difficult to beat for Player's Player as a result.

 

- rating 8/10 (bonus point for Jumping Jacks)      

 

 

- solid and dependable anywhere in the batting or bowling order, but failed to build on his 3 against the Fountain, perhaps feeling the pressure of Rick having taken out a bet that he would fail. Having taken 5 Strollers scalps the previous weekend, found it harder going against better batsmen. Took one for the Team by dropping out of a twelve man batting line-up on Saturday.

 

- rating 6/10 (bonus for lengthy umpiring duties)  

 

 

- an enormous homecoming reception for this Strollers Prodigal Son, and demonstrated immense enthusiasm by flying down for the game. May question the wisdom of the decision however, as sank to miserable performance under the pressure of the Cowden fixture. Never settled as a bowler, and underwhelmed in the field with several howlers. Saw the chance to atone with the bat, and was moved up the order, but came dancing down the wicket, swung and missed, only to hear the death rattle. Will face another season out of the averages, having only performed once, but maybe no bad thing. Will be disapponted not to have moved his lifetime runs total onto 12, but peers (G Winter, D Cran) will be pleased. Awesome Jumping Jacks performace, including recruiting White Dress for his specialist club in Leeds. But still left tail between legs. Needs big return in 2006, and to show a bit of commitment to his old team.        

 

- rating 1/5 (only played on game, bonus point for flying removed after third drop)

 

 

- perhaps over-tired from cycling 70 miles to the game, leading to a lacklustre performance in the field until he was hidden at third man. Will be disappointed with his batting, which looked hesitant at best, and included a goldie in the first match. And may question the lack of a chance of a bowl. But displayed customary energy at Jumping Jacks, and confirmed himself as a solid defender of the much sought after Players Player crown by getting police called to White Horse when he tried to break in.

 

- rating 4/10 (bonus point for cycling, removed for goldie)     

 

 

- ever the enthusiastic amateur, Maurice put in a reasonable performance with the gloves, to keep Macca sweating. Backed up Jonny A at the death on day one, but bagged a hapless duck on day two. Needs some serious netting to trouble the scorers in 2006. Ducked Jumping Jacks on spurious medical grounds - needs to respond strongly in 2006. 

 

- rating 5/10