Strawberry vs Faire - Report
Mayweather vs Pacquiao; Faire vs Strawberry - May 2nd 2015 was a sports fan’s wet dream. Careful planning by the respective governing bodies ensured fans could watch both of the day’s big fights, and they were not disappointed.
Whilst one was a tale of old-fashioned elitism, wealth and homoerotic fumblings, the fixture at Eton College lived up to its billing as the clash of the day in the greater Slough area.
Skipper Stobbs min lost the toss, and Faire took to the field under overcast skies. The Eton openers’ jockstraps noticeably shrivelled as they walked out to face the firepower of Hanrahan and Daly, and suddenly we were underway.
After a rapid opening over, Hanrahan switched to the matchday strip and immediately reaped reward, ruining Farquharson’s bank holiday weekend with a delivery that splintered the off stump. 15/1.
Stanton strutted to the wicket only to be canvassed for a Tory vote by the opportunistic Kanagasooriam. Formalities over with, he peppered the crowd with a couple of sixes before an entitled swipe at Stobbs mi saw his furniture rearranged.
Hunt and Kanagasooriam were brought on to turn the screw, and they did so in style. Hunt, offering fewer scoring opportunities than a celibate monk, was the pick of the bowlers, but the Sri Lankan played his part, bamboozling the batsmen with every delivery. Both picked up deserved wickets.
However a late assault by the Eton no. 5 (78*) undid much of their good work. Pre-season capex by Faire had seen share prices in cricket tailors throughout the land rocket, and it was with mixed feelings that club President Chris Potter watched Faire prioritise the conservation of these new assets ahead of any boundary saving. Fortunately, Daly returned at the death with two miserly overs to restrict the College to a strong but gettable 201/6.
Christian Stobbs and David Watkins opened up for Faire, and blazed a partnership of 115 off 15 overs, before Watkins (54) got distracted by a passing female classics teacher and skied a catch to deep cover. As some Eton bowlers called Childline, Stobbs continued his assault, racing to 104* off 73 balls before he selflessly retired to ensure his standing ovation was not confused with that for the game as a whole. With victory in the bag, Stephen (24*) came to the crease, knowing that Faire had wickets in hand - namely that of Henry Scarlett - to finish off the job. Not a busy man, Stephen will have the next 7 days to steel himself for the vice-captain’s revenge. Barley (6*) calmly saw Faire home with 7 wickets and 51 balls to spare.
A great day out was had by all, and if Hunt, Kanag, Stobbs ma and Watkins can continue this form, the season bodes well for Faire.