The week started by our intended opponents Borstal CC, a fixture booked last Nov., crying off, citing that they had a club function the night before & that it was unlikely that they would be able to put an XI together. Was good of them to give us such notice, and it was discussed at the time to consider a fixture for 2027, but perhaps on a different date, as their club would have the same function booked for the same day next year, which is there Cricket Club Presentation Dinner & Dance Night, something we no longer do due to the lack of attendees!

So, upon receiving Borstal's cancellation the author put out a message on 'Play-Cricket', & within 15 minutes our replacement opponents Rainham CC had been in touch confirming that they could host us at their Berengrave Lane Headquarters, with French Bread sticks & fillings for tea.

Our XI for the Sunday fixture had already been selected, and the only change was to be for the author who was genuinely injured standing down for Calum MacLeod, who had made contact with him on Saturday evening[19/09] saying that he would like a game! I waited for 15/20 minutes before responding in the affirmative, as it was a 'no brainer' in me dropping out, a good substitution I thought!

Sunday arrived with the forecast of it being mainly dry, but cloudy.
Meet time @ LSSC was set for 11.15, and Rainham CC for 12.30.
Upon arrival at Rainham, whilst waiting for the last 2/3 to arrive, no one believed me when I said that we were waiting upon Adeel, Haroon & Calum to arrive, even when the latter did arrive, Steve Marshall said he wouldn't believe it until Calum took to the field, which obviously he did as I wasn't telling porkies!

Rainham CC who were a very young side, something not mentioned when the fixture was booked. They duly won the toss and elected to bat. It was decided at the toss that the duration of the match should be reduced to 35 overs, as there was now some showery rain forecast for the afternoon. This turned out to be the correct decision as there were two spells of rain which led to us leaving the field of play for approx., 45 minutes in total.
The home side got off to a steady start, with a couple of wickets falling in the first 7 overs through excellent bowling from the 2 Freddies, Freddie Lucas 3 - 1 - 9 - 1 & debutant Freddy Woodward 4 - 2 - 10 - 1, who'll be a good addition to LCC. Wickets continued to tumble [9 bowlers used 7 taking wickets], but with our hosts tail wagging, errors in the field with dropped catches from both Steve Marshall [bucket hands] & Krish Patel, & a little of us letting them do so, they were allowed to reach a respectable total of 174 for 9 of their allotted 35 overs.
Leading the way with the bat were:-
Elliot Jarrett 32, Will Edkins 24, Hari Pardesi 23, Harrison Flegg 12, & Joseph Egan 12 no.
As stated the visitors [us] used 9 bowlers 7 of which took wickets, two have already been mentioned, the other 5 were as follows:-
Anthony Harrington 3 - 0 - 11 - 2 [well done], Calum MacLeod 4 - 1 - 13 - 2, Krish Patel 4 - 1 - 23 - 1, Haroon Khan 4 - 1 - 26 - 1 & Steve Marshall 3 - 0 - 18 - 1.
Tea was taken and how good was that, with some fine baking from Betsy Harrington- Browne, all went down a treat.
During tea there was a shower & the restart of the game was delayed for approx., 10/15 minutes.

Upon the games resumption our openers Haroon & Adeel, the latter hadn't bowled, got off to swift start. Haroon [6] went quite early, but with Adeel [66 retd.,] & others like Calum batting around him runs flowed freely. Upon Adeel retiring, & then Calum getting out after having hit the most extraordinary six I've ever seen, scores from Kieran 26, & Steve Marshall 14 no [making up for his dropped catch] saw us home when reaching our total of 175 for 7 from just 24 overs.
Our opponents wicket takers were as follows:-
Jake Stepney 5 - 0 - 30 - 1, Joseph Egan 4 - 0 - 49 - 1, Midhun Rathi 4 - 0 - 15- 2 & Bradley Poynter 4 - 1 - 14 - 3

The match was played with the right spirit from both sides proving that both youth & grown ups can get on with each other. So much so that it is hoped that we may return to our local rivals next year. It was left to the older ones, mostly us, to adjourn to the bar to reflect on the game, have a few pints, whilst we discussed the games finer points. I believe a good day was had by all, and I'm sure that the youngsters who played for both teams benefited from having some excellent stars around them.
One more game to go Cudham Wyse CC AWAY 20th Sept.,
Yvonne & I are off for a few days to relax [that's a joke]in York, where there'll be much walking! So, next Sundays team will be finalized Monday morning before we set off.

*** Sat., 26th Sept., don't forget our cricket clubs celebration trip to the Isle of Fannit, where we 'll definitely celebrate 2 if not 3 promotions. Be great to see as many of us attending on the day. Itinerary consists of breakfast @ Spoons, Chatham 9.30am, train to the Isle of Fannit [Broadstairs] 11.01, arriving 12.06, onto mini golf on the seafront if open & weather permitting, and then onto my third home the Tartar Frigate, Harbour Street, Broadstairs CT10 1EU for some ale, lager, Guinness & other liquid refreshments, some superb lunch, pub games, amusement arcade just up the road & return home when you like, as you don't have to stay the course like some of us will. Whatever happens we'll depart for home no later than 8pm .
So, if you can't join us at breakfast, then meet up with us in Broadstairs. Would be great to see as many on the day as possible. I'll be buying the first round @ the Tartar where hopefully we'll all meet! ***

Hope you all have a good week.