Beamers CC
This is surely the highest total we have ever achieved and still lost. And with the opposition opener (a New Zealander recruited through Gumtree) making 210, probably the highest individual score we’ve ever witnessed.
It came about through a combination of weak bowling on both sides, a smallish pitch leading to prolific boundaries and batsmen on both sides (but more on our side) hitting form as the season drew to a close. Our hero against the Scotties, Peter Evans, hit a four and was bowled, to everyone’s shock, but first Brian, then Gilly, David and Steve piled on the runs, as the rest of the team cheered and hollered from the boundary. Surely 313 would be too much for them?
Sad to say, with eight sixes and 26 fours, this damn Kiwi done did us, assisted by some moderate scores from three of his colleagues. Frustratingly, we dropped him two or three times and could have had him run out at least once, so we have to take our share of the blame. Samuel bowled really well to keep the run rate down, but they made the unfeasible total with three balls to spare.
A deflating result after an electrifying match: but great fun to be part of it.