London Saints v Batcombe, Somerset July 11, 2026 30 over match
Our penultimate tour game of Somerset, the last time many of us would be late as we couldn’t find the pitch on top of the hill. John Griffiths couldn’t find his cricket shoes either as he’d left them in London (he also borrowed Andy’s bat. Why is it always John?)
There was a debut for Jen, partner of Max, who is LSCC 233. Plays for Dulwich Ladies apparently, probably a slightly higher level that LSCC. No nickname yet but that will come.
Batcombe batted first in a balmy 30C, with the match reporter outrageously avoiding fielding duties for 20 of the 30 overs, claiming responsibility for the scorebook. He returned to find his notes missing. Clearly the oppo swiped them and then threw them away finding nothing of value.
David Nanton and Max opened the bowling, the latter ensuring No 233 was paying close attention. Well she might, as Max snared William for 13, clean bowled. There followed a tricky passage as Batcombe whistled past 100-1 and No3 Funk retired on 50 not out. So did No6.
As the afternoon wore on, the skylarks and swallows swooping and the drum and bass bellowing, so there were languid passages of play as the ball again went into the hedge. Despite having eight fielders on the boundary, Batcombe hit nine maximums. At one point, two search parties were in operation. Curiously, no balls were lost when we batted.
Nanton and Tiny Temper were out of luck, so The Skipper turned to Oscar who duly bowled two to halt the runaway scoreboard. John Griffiths, in Andy’s black trainers, was also wheeled out for the first time in years and struck twice. “And it hit middle wicket!” he told everyone in sight.
No 6 also retired on 50no, Dickie achieved a smart run out behind the stumps and Batcombe finished on 244 for 6, with LSCC conceding a modest 14 in extras.
London Saints strode out in confident mood, boosted by Dickie carting a six into the hedge in the second over. There was then a rapid deflation as Andy was bowled for a duck next ball.
Tiny then fell for seven in the 7th over and Dickie for 22 off just five balls, all boundaries. With LSCC 38-3 after 10 overs, slightly behind the required run rate of 8.1 at the start of the innings.
Now, there as some debate as to the validity of Tiny being given out LBW by Andy Mayhew, namely that TT was out of his crease, the ball was going down leg and nobody appealed. A touch of frost was noted despite the 30C heat on TT’s return, to be melted after a few pints in The Blue Boar later.
The challenge motivated Oscar and John into a stand of 60. Oscar, dropped on 47, hit LSCC’s other six to retire on 53no with John bowled for a battling 19. Scoreboard: 98-4.
Jen looked on admiringly as her beau padded up, and clapped supportingly when Max returned two minutes later with a Silver Duck. The Skipper also recorded a duck when his trousers fell down on a run he called. Jen looked away pityingly.
However, it was her turn to bat, joining Pearcey with an over to go. PP was on 20no and snorting, But surely he would tap a single and give Jen strike. Oh no. Five dots – Pearcey was rightly chastised for seeking personal glory, leaving Jen 0 not out off one. Actually, that’s not a bad LSCC debut.
A barbecue was ready, and the icel bag full of cider for postmatch as Batcombe celebrated victory in what was their last home match of the season. Quite a crowd of family and friends were there, there was plenty of shade and a music system knocking out some very cool reggae and soul (much to Gary Speedtwin’s approval, and far superior to the drum and bass from way over the field). They have always been very gracious hosts and your correspondent has fond memories, thanks to Phil Rogers.
Terrence Collis Champagne moment (serious):
Johnny G didn’t bowl last season due to a shoulder op, and this was his first time this season that The Skipper had thrown him the ball. He was fourth change but did well in the face of a Batcombe onslaught, taking 2-34 off four and bowling skipper Matt out when on 47. “And it hit middle wicket!”
Player of the match:
Oscar Sykes was a clear winner with 53no and two wickets, both bowled. When you top the batting and bowling in an innings, we have a Botham-esque all-rounder (nothing of course to do with his girlfriend Maddie not being present?).
The other Champagne moment (to eclipse all other champagne moments?):
I would mention Tiny’s LBW dismissal but Andy asked me to play it down. So I’ll go for The skipper’s decision to call a single which wasn’t on, note that his trousers were around his knees when he eventually arrived at the crease and he was out for a duck. Oh, skipper…
Batcombe CC
Julian b Sykes 47
William b Cohen 13
Funk retired not out 50
Harrison b Sykes 1
Matt b Griffiths 47
Pete retired not out 50
Fred run out Dickie 12
Sike b Griffiths 0
Lurch not out 9
Ruff not out 1
Janes did not bat
TOTAL 244-6
Nanton 6-0-39-0
Cohen 6-1-39-1
McIntyre 3-0-27-0
Sykes 6-0-31-2
Thomas 3-0-24-0
Pearce 3-0-34-0
Griffiths 4-0-34-2
London Saints
Jones b Max 0
Dickie b Max 22
McIntyre lbw Max 7
Sykes retired not out 53
Griffiths b Matthew 19
Cohen b Pete 0 (silver duck)
Thomas run out 0
Pearce not out 20
Jen not out 0
Lana did not bat
Nanton did not bat
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