Brigands v Harry Baldwin Occasionals, 10 May 2026
- Brigands CC
- May 11
- 2 min read
Named after the Victorian Cricketer "Fatty Batter" the Harry Baldwin Occasionals made their second visit to Broadhalfpenny Down. Despite a weather forecast to the contrary, they arrived to a ground with the covers on, a rain-soaked pitch, and a forecast showing rain until teatime.
The team captains and umpires were close to cancelling the game, but agreed a stay of execution to 2.30pm. With the rain easing, the teams soon took to the pitch for a shorter format 30 over game.
Jake Peach, opening with Dave Turner, eagerly tucked into the Occasionals bowling with 7 fours and 3 sixes to retire at 50 after a mere 39 minutes at the crease. Dave Turner was bowled for 8 and new Brigands cap Henry Moore failed to trouble the scorers. Guy Ladenburg joined Peach to steady the ship and put on a convincing 31, including 6 fours, before being bowled by Ghandi.
The next six Brigands wickets tumbled for 29 runs, bringing Jake Peach back to the crease. He struck a six over mid wicket, then succumbed LBW to Seth for 56 leaving Gerry Northwood, who had been looking forward to 7 overs of batting, stranded on 9 not out.
Brigands all out for 147 in 23 overs, a sumptuous and necessarily warming Brigands tea followed.
The Occasionals opened their innings in a similar style to the Brigands, with Ollie Villiers feasting on Sam Sargent's bowling and rapidly moving close to his 50. In fact, he was applauded for his 50 before a scoring correction was applied, and he remained at the crease with a further 1 run required. Then along came Brigands first change at the copse end, Rafi Abdeen, with his wrist spinners, and an attempt at a reverse sweep earned Villiers a rap on the pads and the Umpire's finger.
The Occasionals made a valiant attempt to score the runs, but the pressure told, and the run chase was accompanied with a steady fall of wickets. Guy Ladenburg and Steve Blackburn took 3 wickets apiece and Rafi Abdeen took a couple. Despite that, it was an exciting finish, with the Occasionals only just failing to close the gap. At the end of the 30th over, the Brigands had won by just 7 runs.
Brigands 147 beat Harry Baldwin Occasionals 140 by 7 runs.
Nice match report Gerry (and lovely tea thank you Laura!) A minor correction - and with apologies to Steve Blackburn, who bowled well in his luckless 3 overs - but the Brigands wicket takers were in fact Guy (3), Jake (3) and Rafi (2), although all 7 bowlers put in good spells.