Brigands v Vagabonds, 26 April 2026

A warm April Sunday afternoon for village cricket; Broadhalfpenny Brigands hosted the Vagabonds, a wandering side in loud pink-and-red blazers, playing under their motto In the Spirit of Good Fellowship.

After moderate warm-ups and stretches, Brigands batted first. Rupert Preece set the tone with an elegant 47, then Dave Henderson and Gerry Northwood put on 66 for the fourth wicket. The Vagabonds' seamers, Bulpitt and Preston, bowled seventeen overs of quality pace between them and deserved more for their trouble than the surface allowed.

It was slow going with just thirteen overs in the first hour; a couple of lost balls, the wicket-keeper split his glove, drinks brought out early.

Steve Blackburn was run out on a misfield, and Rory Kinnear, on debut, inside-edged his first ball onto his off stump and walked off shaking his head.

Fortunately, his university chum Guy Ladenberg, captaining the Brigands, joined Kinnear's teenage son Riley at the crease, and the two of them put the innings back together. Ladenberg made a rapid 51, including the first six of the season.

Brigands declared on 201 for 7 off thirty-six overs. Two dog spectators were most pleased that the innings was over and were reunited with their owners, who had been fielding.

Tea was a Turner-family triumph: Pam's scones, sandwiches galore, a gentleman's quiche, Margo's crisps, Lizzie's sausage rolls, tiffin and cupcakes. Over the road, the Bat and Ball Inn kitchen was so busy the landlord came out to report that they were "running short of chicken". Bryan Burns, one of the best umpires in the business, stood at both ends for the whole match and deserved his tea more than most.

Neil Wood opened the bowling for the Brigands, fresh from a midweek pep-talk with England fast bowler Steve Finn. From the other end, the teenager Riley Kinnear impressed with 2 for 21 from his seven overs, bowling up the hill and bowling through a nose bleed, rekindling memories of footballer Terry Butcher, one fielder remarked.

Vagabonds employed the forward defence, and the run rate required kept rising. With twenty overs remaining from five o'clock and Brigands determined to wring every ball out of every minute available, captain Ladenberg threw the ball to the Kinnear Senior, who took a caught-and-bowled with his first delivery.

Rafi Abdeen varied his flight and pace and contributed to three quick wickets at the end; another five overs might have proved decisive. But time was called, stumps were drawn, the pub was inviting, and the Vagabonds finished on 131 for 7 off 38 overs.

A father and son on debut. An umpire who never sat down. A wandering side in pink at the cradle of cricket. A match drawn In the Spirit of Good Fellowship.

Brigands 201-7 declared, drew with Vagabonds 131-7