Since becoming Chairman of the Broadhalfpenny Brigands, Gerry Northwood had sold more raffle tickets than scored runs so it was pleasing he enjoyed the pace bowling of the University of St Andrews alumni to reach his first half-century of the season; he had to work hard on a slow outfield that saw him scamper two all-run fours.
Waktare (22) played fluently but was run out at the non-striker's end by a superb pick-up and throw. The injured Ali (21) was promoted to three and scored elegantly before he, Morris, Henderson Junior, and Turner fell in quick succession. Hands swept his first boundary into The Monument and Henderson (28*) played hit and run at the end to declare on 175-6 after 40 overs.
Wood got a wicket with his first ball and Hands bagged a caught and bowled off an early bouncer; game on.
The Seagullians attacked anything short, but one cut shot too many and the dangerous Baird hit the ball straight to Hands at point. The new batsmen lofted his first shot over the head of Turner at short mid-off who turned, chased, and held onto a fine catch above his head in a show of athleticism suited more to the Wimbledon men’s final at Wimbledon than at Broadhalfpenny Down.
With 75 needed from 17 overs and 5 wickets in hand, the match turned on an arm ball from Ali that went through the defence of Kneale.
Beardall utilised the strong wind and picked up a wicket with excellent flight, and with 30 or so still to get the Brigands fielders got excitable at the arrival of a number 10 with a top-of-the-range unblemished Keeley bat.
Dougie Henderson wickets are as hard to come by as Taylor Swift tickets but he was inducted into the all-rounders club thanks to a long-hop that was despatched to Ed Hands who made a full-length forward diving catch on the Hambledon boundary to end the match.
Brigands 175-6 declared beat Old Seagullians 142 all out, by 33 runs. Northwood 63*, Henderson 28*; Wood 3-43, Hands 3-23. Ali 2-17.
