Brigands v Invalids, 8 June 2025

With Brigands, on paper, fielding their strongest batting line-up and the pitch "as flat as a road" skipper Lee Gray decided to bat first.

The Invalids had recruited some strong League bowlers and Mark Flewitt (back from driving aid to Ukraine) was out, bowled, in the first over leaving Paul Whittle and Dave Henderson to survive swing and seam at both ends.

They rode their luck and contrived to put on 50 for the second wicket before Whittle was bowled (top of off stump) and Henderson was caught behind from a one-handed sweep for 44 (he who lives by the sword, dies by the sword). Brigands were 60-3.

Harry Woolvine hit the ball well on his way to 39 but wickets kept falling at the other end, to good bowling and sharp wicket-keeping.

155 all out was never enough on a good pitch and despite wickets for Jacke Peach and Guyt Ladenburg and Mike Beardall, Invalids got home comfortably with 5 wickets in hand. A super tea from Rosie Flewitt and a relative early pint enjoyed at the Bat & Ball.