XL Club 29 May 2025

Manager Ed Phillips

Match Drawn

XL Club 208 all out (Lewis North 3 for 32)

SOA 168 for 8 (Sam Hicks 47)

The Amateurs Head North… ish

Long journeys, battling traffic, parish borders and encountering strange locals lead to a tricky and uncomfortable morning for the SOA players who headed up to the north of the county. A voyage made with less fuss from further distance by our XL Club East Midlands division counterparts. 

The XL club won the toss and elected to bat, on yet another dry sunny day in 2025, with a used but good pitch and the ever familiar sight this season of a brown outfield, but the SOA made a great start. 

Sam Hicks (10-1-29-2) and Lewis North (7.3-1.32-3) quickly reduced the East Midlands side to 37-3. Bishop (11-0-62-2) as ever didn’t give anything away early and the SOA looked in a strong position with the XL Club 53-4. This didn’t stop the captain unnecessarily criticising some fielding efforts, thinking he was on an ashes tour. 

The visitors, for want of a better phrase, as the wondering team that had traveled the furthest. Made a good recovery. Progressing to 125-4 before Xaier Garves (12-2-29-2) took 2 quick wickets as President Allen (9-0-36-0) controlled things well from the other end without the reward of a wicket. North and Hicks came back to mop up the tail and see the XL Club amass 208 all out from 51.3 overs. A competitive but achievable total. 

In reply the SOA got off to a similar start, Lord Hutton, Alex Wildthing Wildman, and Valentino Rossi all falling early, leaving the Amateurs 13-3. Hicks (47) and Garvs (35) steered things back on track and left the game well poised. Phillips (25) came to the crease, and didn’t like the defensive fields implemented by the opposition spinner. Their negotiation styles clashed somewhat, both blaming the other or some immaturity. 

The President and the skippers brother Christopher, held out for the draw 8 down, to the relief of Craig Foster, who was pacing the veranda like a caged lion, saying “jeez, don’t get out” every other delivery. 

SOA 168-8 at the close from 40 overs. 

Onwards!