Gentlemen of Leicestershire 30 May 2024

Manager Alex Wildman

Lost by 61 Runs (45 overs)

Gentlemen of Leicestershire 216 for 4 (Craig Foster  2-37)

SOA 155 for 9 

As in 2023, our long running fixture with the Gents of Leicester has evolved into a game against a combined Gents and XLCC team. The SOA team were delighted to host this year’s game at Kingston Bagpuize, the first SOA fixture there in front of the new pavilion. The architect of the impressive new structure had missed the opportunity to include a flag pole so with the flag draped over the nets, and under a worryingly grey sky, SOA took the field after the Alex had lost a negotiated toss. The forecast both locally and nationally was not good so, a 45 over per innings game was agreed. XL had 8 planned games that day around the UK and it turned out that given the weather this was the only game to start, let alone finish.

Without our knowledge Gents/XL had decided that their batters would retire at 50. This was a feature far more prevalent in their innings than ours. Colin Allen and Ben Jefferis opened up for SOA, the first 7 overs going for only 16 runs, the first 11 for only 44. However, the watchful approach reaped dividends and the first 3 batters, Perkins, Thurlow and Maree each retired having made solid half centuries and having given their side an excellent platform from which to attack. Only 4 wickets were taken. The President and Sam Down each claimed a wicket with Craig Foster taking the other 2 to calm things a little at the end of the innings. Colin ended wicketless but bowled meanly and only conceded 13 runs from his 7 overs.

The President and Alex Ross opened up for SOA and put on a cautious but encouraging 20 before Ed fell LBW in the 7th over. Despite resistance from Sam Down, his score of 29 was the highest of the SOA innings which concluded on 152 for 9. No other batter made over 20, it did at least spare SOA the quandary of whether our batters were morally obliged to retire at 50…

Kingston hosted the day superbly with SOA stalwart Johnny Warner cooking an excellent curry for lunch and then producing a tea for the ages, our thanks to all involved and hopefully Kingston will have us back and host many more SOA games in seasons to come. Our thanks also to umpires Bob Belcher and Anton Saverimutti and to our scorer Andrew Moss who each made their usual invaluable contributions to the day. The XL Club award a man of the match to a member of the opposition and his choice of (Sir) Les was a popular choice amongst the host team.