Strollers Romp to Cuckfield 10Ten Glory 
This day is call'd the feast of The Inaugral World Ten10 Trophy.
He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,
Will stand a tip-toe when this day is nam'd,
And rouse him at the name of Ten10.
He that shall live this day, and see old age,
Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours,
And say 'To-morrow is Saint Cuckfield Day.'
Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars,
And say 'These wounds I had on Ten10 day.'
Old men forget; yet all shall be forgot,
But he'll remember, with advantages,
What feats he did that day. Then shall our names,
Familiar in his mouth as household words-
Maurice, Glen, Youngy, Fletcher, Tubman, Dodd, The Allen Brothers and Bristow
Be in their flowing cups freshly rememb'red.
This story shall the good man teach his son;
And Saint Cuckfield Day shall ne'er go by,
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remembered-
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;And Strollers in England now-a-bed
Shall think themselves accurs'd they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Cuckfield's day.
If this tournament proves to be the last fixture of the Strollers busiest cricketing summer then what a way to finish.
The setting could hardly have been better - 2 perfectly maintained pitches with intimidatingly long boundaries side by side in the picturesque village of Cuckfield, Sussex overlooking a grand manor were to provide the perfect backdrop to an epic day.
Few could have expected the Strollers would be Lords of the Manor when the curtain came down on the spectacular show. The 9 man Strollers line up included 4 debutants of incredibly varying ability, but deprived of so many key players, and knowing they were going to be up against it against 3 teams who were treating the competition with the respect it deserved, spirits remained high. Pre- tournament bacon sarnies and cups of tea on arrival lifted spirits still further and provided more evidence of just how much preparation and planning had gone into the competition. Talk of switch-hitting dominated breakfast chats.
Game 1 Strollers v Cloth Caps
First up were the Cloth Caps who immediately set about the Strollers attack, exploiting the huge gaps in the field to post a daunting 134-2 off their 10 8 ball overs. Highlights included Maurice attempting to stand up to left arm Kiwi quickie Glen’s first ball before realising what he was dealing with, moving back 25m and still struggling to hold on to balls which repeatedly beat the bat. Lowlights included some atrocious fielding from the slightly lacklustre Stuart Allen on the boundary which ultimately cost Strollers dear, and the most expensive over ever bowled by a Stroller (29) from the big-hearted Dave Dodd.
The top 3 of Glen, Youngy and Luke did everything required of them racing to their retirement totals of 25 with some big hitting before Rick, relieved that competition rules meant you couldn’t be out first ball, was bowled for a silver duck. Maurice (17) played by far his most attacking Strollers innings and Tubby, Neil and Dodd all chipped in with useful runs. Ultimately however, the total proved too much and Strollers finished 7 runs short on 128 in a nail biting finale.
Game 2 - Strollers v The All Whites
8 ball overs were reduced to a more conventional 6 for the remainder of the competition, as matches over-ran but the Strollers top order continued their rich vein of form against the All Whites with Glenn oozing class to ease to his 25 once more, joined again by Luke whose knock included the first ever 10 from one delivery as he showed little regard for the environment to hit the ball into the beech tree. After padding up to a few balls Youngy put the golf swing to useful effect before falling for 17. Although a little momentum was lost in the middle of the innings as Rick attempted to play himself into some kind of form with the bat to make a laboured 10 the Strollers were well pleased to get to a total of 102, massive psychologically.
Their total never looked under threat as Strollers showed they had learned lessons from the first game with shrewder fielding positions, and tighter bowling and fielding. Despite some lusty blows from captain and organiser Matt Waghorn which included a straight 6 over the sightscreen off skipper Fletcher and prompted a vicious bouncer next ball which struck Wags in the throat, the All Whites were restricted to 70 as Glenn skittled 3 batsman in the fastest spell ever by a Stroller. He was ably assisted by Bristow’s fine opening spell of controlled hostility, Neil Allen and his nagging length and line, and Tubman and Maurice bowling their first overs ever for the Strollers. Maurice’s caught and bowled from his first ever Strollers delivery having waited 6 years to turn his arm in anger was, after much debate, later voted Champagne Moment.
Game 3 - Strollers v The Taverners
The Strollers record now stood at Played 2 Won 1 and Lost 1 and the realisation dawned on the Strollers during a hearty tea that they would have to beat the now only unbeaten team in the competition - The Taverners - in their final match to have any hope at all of reaching the final. A tough ask in anybody’s book.
After 6 overs Strollers had reached 61, but despite the impressive run rate they had lost key wickets at crucial times. Glenn again anchored the innings superbly reaching his retirement total in 9 minutes, only 2 more than the Strollers had predicted before his innings, but the tail failed to wag hard and the total of 82-8 looked below par.
However, the Strollers in the field were now a well-oiled machine. Defending such a low total had forced Luke into giving Glenn one of his 2 overs at the beginning rather than keeping him until the death. The Strollers chances depended on squeezing the Taverners through a combination of economical bowling and tiger-like fielding. Everyone needed to come to the party, from seasoned campaigners to makeshift bowlers and debutants, to ensure we got to the final over to give the returning Glen something to still bowl at. And they did. The gamble paid off and the Taverners failed to get the 7 runs needed off the final over to deny the Strollers a hard earned and deserved victory.
The Final - Strollers v The Cloth Caps
3 teams now had identical records, having each won 2 and drawn 1. The Strollers however were spared the anxiety of a 3 way bowl off when the Taverner’s, now with a worse head to head record against the Strollers and also under some pressure from angry wives, withdrew. The stage was set for a mouth-watering showpiece final against the Cloth Caps and the chance to avenge the narrow defeat in Game 1. Strollers somehow had to drag their aching limbs onto the pitch one last time and summon up all the energy they could muster, knowing glory, the chance of silverware and to go down in Strollers folklore awaited.
Shadows were becoming increasingly long as the evening sunshine began to fade and the crowds gathered outside the pavilion, beers in hand, eagerly awaiting to see how the drama would unfold. The addition of Dan from the Taverners as a replacement for the jaded and increasingly irritated Stuart Allen would surely add increased mobility and enthusiasm to the fielding but how would the Strollers cope with the loss of Neil Allen - putting baby before team - when the team needed him most?
The Cloth Caps took first blood as they won the toss, opting to bat and hit Bristow’s first ball of the innings for 6. However, that was as good as it got for the opposition as Rick responded by knocking the opener’s stump out of the ground, then combined with Glen and Dan (ringer) ripping through the Taverners top order. Maurice and Luke maintained the pressure. Youngy’s glove work was also proving decisive with a Strollers record of 4 catches in the innings as the Taverners scored only 1 more boundary and were restricted to just 51 off 10 overs - the lowest team score of the competition.
The Strollers had one hand on the trophy but knew that after a monumental batting collapse against the Fountain the previous week they could take nothing for granted. Complete focus was needed from the batsman to see the Strollers home and the result was never in doubt as Glenn and Youngy got the innings off to a flyer. Needless to say, Glen reached his retirement score, passing 100 runs unbeaten for the day in the process. When Youngy was dismissed plum lbw immediately after for 18 the Strollers were just one hit away from victory with 4 overs remaining but with 2 new batsman - Luke and Tubman at the crease. There was to be no nervy ending however as Luke hit his first ball for 6 to seal victory in style and spark scenes of delirium among spectators, players and fans alike.
As prizes were awarded and speeches made in an emotional closing ceremony, few could dispute that the winner had been cricket. And the Strollers.
The scale of the team’s achievement will no doubt sink in over the next few weeks and months but thoughts will inevitably soon turn to defending the trophy in a year’s time. Greatness beckons.
Many thanks to the organisers of this tournament, particularly Matt Waghorn (a born Stroller and welcome anytime) and his family, for the hard work and enthusiasm which went in to making this such a superb day.
Player Ratings
Glen - 10/10 A near flawless debut from Strollers new overseas player despite apparently not having played for 2 years. Quickest and most accurate bowler Strollers have ever had with advantage of being left armer. Far too good for batsman and gave nothing away. Oozed class with bat. Used “can’t be out first ball” rule to full effect, and after being caught first ball, first game but surviving, barely played a false shot for the rest of the day, retiring in every game he played. Outstanding fielding on the boundary all day. Genuinely acclaimed by those who played as being better than Hollers.
Runs Scored: 104 Average for day: Infinity Bowling figures: 8.4 overs 6-22
Simon Young 8/10 - Provided an admirable foil as opening batsman for Glenn, reaching retirement figure once and helping Strollers innings to get off to good starts with useful runs. Bowled one expensive over in the first game before realising he was better off with the gloves. Took 4 catches in final - a new Strollers record.
Runs Scored: 68 Average for the day: 22.66 Bowling figures: 1.2 overs 0-23
L.Fletcher 8/10 - Marshalled troops effectively given lack of players and key decisions in the big games paid off. Rich vein of form continued with the bat, retiring twice, hitting 5 sixes (including ten for tree - poor conservation, and one off first ball in final to win match). Only dismissed once. Picked up a couple of wickets and bowled more economically at death in final 2 games though expensive in first 2. Fielding below par.
Runs scored: 67 Average for day: 67.00 Bowling figures: 8.4 overs 2 -72
R.Bristow 7/10 - Went a long way to silencing critics with the ball with economical opening spells and crucial wickets, despite almost breaking arm when failing to hold on to caught and bowled chance. Continues to be an enigma with bat however and seems to have lost all confidence in this department. Should book in some sports psychology sessions with Hollers over winter. Good fielding on boundary and vice captaincy.
Runs scored: 12 Average for day: 4 .00 Bowling figures: 8.4 overs 4-49
A.Morris 7.5/10 - Stepped up to the plate and solid in all departments. Showed more aggression and attacking intent with bat then previously demonstrated contributing useful runs. Safe hands taking catches on boundary and most memorably off his own bowling. Repaid faith shown in him by skipper when handed ball for first time in his Strollers career. Retained Magic Moment trophy.
Runs scored: 23 Average for the day: 7.66 Bowling figures: 5 overs 3-48
N.Tubman 7/10 - Again contributed useful runs and followed advice to hit out or get out. Superb fielding in key position saving ones and bowled a respectable first over for Strollers. Great enthusiasm and team play. Finest hour in a Strollers shirt.
Runs scored : 11 Average for the day: 3.66 Bowling figures: 1 over 0-6
D.Dodd 6/10 - Enthusiastic debut. Used golf swing / hockey skills to good effect at times. Forgettable over despite looking sharp in nets, and chirpy Scouse banter throughout.
Runs scored: 5 Average for the day: 2.5 Bowling figures: 1.2 overs 0-29
N.Allen 5.5/10 - Let nobody down in long awaited comeback until inexplicably disappearing just before final losing 2 points in process (though undoubtedly helping team by allowing Strollers to bring in better ringer for the final.) Always good value on and off field with sporting banter. Bowled admirably, refusing to be affected by disrespectful switch hitting from old adversary Waghorn, and showed glimpses of talent with bat.
Runs scored: 14 Average for the day: 4.66 Bowling figures: 6.4 overs 0-54
S.Allen 2/10 - Probably the least enthusiastic Strollers cricketer ever. By miles. By his own admission, hates the game and was more than content not to bowl, bat number 9 (of 9), and opted not to move a muscle in the field leading to some comical if slightly frustrating and costly fielding errors. Still, a point for being there in body, if not spirit.