V&A XI:Tom Bird(C), Gabe Farrell, David Pitlarge, Nick Constantine, Jasper Arnold, Adam Jacot,  Christy Kulasingam, James Taylor, James Waddington, Dominic Scott and Dennis De Caires

The extraordinary thing about the V&A’s match on Saturday 17 May was that the team were obviously thought to be so talented that they took on not one but two teams, a combined Penn Street and The Hermits (in fact, as neither could quite raise an eleven).  But the story then became even more complicated as they came with twelve so to give everyone a game one of theirs also fielded for the V&A, meaning that to avoid too many on the pitch at one time, one of the V&A had to drop out every five overs and merely admire their comrades from the pavilion.

And if you are still with me so far (which I very much doubt) hang on until it gets even more complicated as one PSH (as I shall call the combined opposition) strained a muscle when batting, thus needing a runner who of course largely stood at or ran from square leg, chatting to the umpire when not otherwise engaged or to the square leg fielder so a gaggle of three kept each other company until the sprinting started!

PSH started reasonably soundly though Shifan took an early wicket dismissing their number two for 5. Christy pounded in from the other end but it was an uphill battle with PSH’s Hulme (he with the runner) building up a fine innings scoring 68 before Christy got him in the end. One forgets where they were at lunch – but not the lunch itself which was (halal) chicken apparently, according to Steph the wondrous caterer, marinated in a bag with various secret ingredients and then roasted on site, served with rice and various other fineries.

Sadly, it was not enough to stop the rot with more runs after lunch especially when PSH’s Sofi got into his stride cracking any and every sort of ball left, right and centre until caught for a thrilling 41 off 41 balls.  Christy though got a second wicket, Constantine three (having lulled them into a false sense of security by cunningly bowling two wides in his first over) with Dennis de Cairns and Adam Jacot both bowling nobly and reasonably economically but with little success.

Result 191 for 7 at the end of their overs.  It could have been worse, especially on a rock-hard wicket and outfield.

Farrell and Pitlarge opened for the V&A but the bowling was tight and neither really got into their stride.  Bird, Constantine and Arnold had much more success reaching well into double figures (although one only just) but PSH were really sharp in the field and especially with a number of pretty heroic catches, one coming at speed and two inches off the ground.  Waddington steadied the ship with a fine 40 but he too was caught in the end, the sixth wicket to go down with a catch.

Things were beginning to look a little dodgy from then on (except for the delicious tea of cucumber and cheese and pickle sandwiches followed by swiss roll and other such goodies) with the run rate creeping up to 6, then 8, then 10.  James Taylor, a new recruit, borrowed some pads, wandered in but sadly out with little delay and it was then down to De Cairns and Jacot to save the day (with only Scott to come and who’d put their money on him!?).  Jacot hit a fine 22 including 4 fours and De Cairns 12 but when he was out (caught again) Scott and Jacot had some 7 balls to get 14 runs – and sadly it was not to be with Scott out (yet again caught) on the very last ball hoping to heave it over the pavilion.

Total 182 for 10 and so just a few runs short but a fine effort all round.