Foxbury Exiles CC vs. Stone CC, 11.08.18

So, this was it – the Goodfellow valedictory game but, until the two days beforehand, it wasn’t clear who would face the north-bound TD. Happily, Foxbury Exiles stepped up to host us in Chislehurst. Following another negotiated toss, we are put into bat first this time. Saddam, remembering the diamond duck of the last game, opts to go in at 3, so the skipper and the man of the day open the innings. Their bowlers, including the aforementioned female nemesis, bowl very tidily and runs are slow. The skipper goes for only 2 in the sixth over, bringing Saddam to the wicket, this time with his contact lenses in properly. Despite a few boundaries, it is generally watchful stuff and Matty G follows Lord Rossington back to the hutch in the tenth over, having scored 18. Time for the Metronome (or, given his stature, should that be Metrognome?) and, sure enough, Stumpy brings a steady rhythm to the situation as the runs start to flow rather more easily. After his first few overs, Blainy is picking up the ball well and his overall 56 comes at a stroke rate of 90, with six 4s. He is run out with a good bit of fielding by his female nemesis and this brings Vice in to bat. Never one to be outdone in the hitting stakes, he proceeds to whack a quick-fire 37 (off 22 balls!), with three 4s and two 6s. Stumpy is bowled for 57 and I am next in. Vice does for another big hit soon after and is clean bowled. I don’t hang around either, scoring 2 before being LBW (plumb). Ryan adds 2, Camo looks in the mood for his 7 off six balls but plays all around one to be bowled, and Jez finishes with a streaky 3 off his second ball. Stone put on what looks like a very good 199 for 7.

Tea features a presentation to Matty G by Vice on behalf of the team, including some very pricey rum and a guide to northern lifestyle. Back on the field, we get a pep talk from the man himself, which is a masterclass in motivational speaking (something along the lines of everyone having dreams but that, unlike the oppo, we have woken up and can realise ours – you get the gist). He proceeds to put these words into action by opening the bowling and taking a wicket in his fourth over. He also plays a part in a run-out at the end of his spell – the man must have a sore back from carrying this team, from the way he tells it! Walkie bowls well, but without much luck (story of the season, in many ways), but Vice picks up two useful wickets (including their other opener, on 40, and their Number 4 for a duck) to leave Foxbury on 60-odd for 4 and wobbling. However, the momentum shifts thereafter and we struggle to make an much of an impact during the crucial latter half of their innings, when they start to hit big. The growing sense that the game is slipping away is not helped when their number 7 is batting (admittedly very well) and each shot is lauded by the very loud cheering section of his teammates on the sideline. It transpires that this performance is the highest he has scored for the club and he peppers the boundary (and the pavilion) with his hitting, but still – whatever happened to polite applause? Still, moving back to the present from the 1950s, the tide has turned decisively, despite Camo taking two wickets in later stages, and Foxbury reach their goal with an over and a half to spare. As with the last game here, it was within our grasp to win this but it wasn’t to be. 

The post-game drinks are conducted outside the pavilion in the usual convivial manner and with no small amount of reminiscing. Once again, the awards of the Ainsley and the SBotD have faded into the mists of time – my guess would be Blainy getting the Spicy one for his batting performance, and Walkie getting the latter for his outfit, but it’s guesswork at best. Farewell, then, and good luck to Mr Goodfellow to start his new life in Northumbria – see you next year on tour?

– Paul