Brigands saved by the weather.....maybe.
Somehow following a night of heavy rain and a forecast of more rain, the annual Brigands V Oundle Ramblers game got off the blocks and very nearly ran the course. In previous years the Oundle team has consisted of upper sixth students enjoying their last hurrah at the school on a cricket tour that includes a visit to Broadhalfpenny Down. On this occasion, courtesy of Covid, the school was unable to stage the tour and in place of the Upper Sixth, Oundle stalwart and manager Philip Pedley gathered together a talented team of old Oundles and Exeter University students.
The Ramblers won the toss and elected to bat against a slightly depleted Brigands side of 10 players. Some increasingly effective bowling by debutante Brigand Sam Sargant (2 for 39) and Neil Wood (2 for 54) at first seemed to keep the Ramblers in check. Though this was not for long, as robust and hard hitting batting inexorably increased the run rate and they were on their way to a declaration at 4pm with 216 for 5 posted on the scoreboard.
In reply the Brigands innings, anchored by opener Adam Jay (37) and supported by some clean hitting from Milo Fletcher (36no), took the Brigands to 103 for 3 at the start of the final 20 overs. Yet, by this stage the incessant drizzle was proper rain and the teams had no choice but to agree that it was time to call it a day.