The curse of Henley Regatta struck again as Stoke Row crashed to a 29 run defeat at local rivals Peppard last Saturday. Having entered the FNG-BCL eight years ago, Stoke maintained their record of never having won on the ‘Royal’ Saturday, as they suffered a horrific top-order collapse which eventually proved their downfall in the face of a fine bowling display from the Vines’ brothers and league top wicket-taker Roy Hayden.
Having won the toss, Peppard captain Hugh Asquith elected to bat on a pitch displaying more pace and bounce than that usually accustomed at the ground. The liveliness of the wicket proved a catalyst for Toby Fenn to deliver his finest spell of the season so far, and he dismissed both Paul and Tim Vines with deliveries back of a length which were edged through to the keeper Titch Vickers. With another dangerman, Paul Heslop, well held at slip, and Hugh Asquith suc*****bing to a beauty from Sam Boughton, Peppard were in trouble at 76-4.
As has all too often been the case with Stoke this season, a position of marginal dominance was frittered away with a period of five sloppy overs. A pair of dropped catches enable youngster Dan Hayden to record a finely crafted 40, and, in conjunction with Berkshire Over 50’s man Don Townsin, the home side proceeded to 136-4. However, spin duo Will Macdonald and Dion Sampson seized the initiative for the visitors, and, changing their pace cleverly, the pair initiated a startling collapse which saw six wickets fall for just nine runs. Peppard were all out for 145 after 39.4 overs, a score possibly thirty short of that desired by the home side, but also thirty above that which Row could have restricted their opponents to.
In reply, a fired up Paul Vines quickly shifted the balance of power back into even territory with an unplayable delivery which castled Titch Vickers for a duck. When brother Tim enticed Oliver Nowell to mis-time a pull, and Charlie Stockings fell victim to another suicidal run out, Row were 5-3 after just 10 deliveries.
Although Stoke Row captain Richard Ashton, in conjunction with Macdonald, were able to halt the collapse to some extent, the ex-Oratory partnership was abruptly halted by some further Vines’ magic – Macdonald was bowled by Paul, whose brother then took a stunner in the gully to dismiss Ashton. Stoke Row were 21-5, and staring humiliation in the face.
The resilience of Boughton and George Baker prevented full scale embarrassment. The pair showed tremendous courage, as well as skill, in confronting some short-pitched and aggressive bowling from the Vines’. Yet just as the Maharajas began to contemplate the thought of victory, first-change bowler Roy Hayden trapped Baker L.B.W. and he also curtailed Dion Sampson’s brief flourish, again leg before.
With seven wickets down, Sam Boughton attempted to salvage a miraculous victory for Stoke, and, when he swung a massive six over Tim Vines head, the Row party went wild. However, a ‘stick or twist’ moment arose shortly after, whereby the batsman planted a chance into mid-wickets’ hands, unsure of whether to take a single or attempt another huge blow. When Ollie Boughton was also adjudged L.B.W. Stoke were 98-9. Despite the best efforts of Marcus Lunnon, and a few lusty blows from Toby Fenn, Ian Jackson snared Lunnon with the score on 115.
In short, this local derby was another cracker for Stoke Row, following their blinder at Crown Wood the week before. The side have experienced a tough learning curve in their maiden foray into the FNG-BCL Premier Division and must quickly realise that five-over ‘blips’ almost invariably result in defeat. On the other hand, the side has yet to be outclassed, and can take comfort in that regard. Next week sees the arrival of title challengers Pinkneys Green, in what is sure to be another fine game.
In other Premier League games, Swindon NALGO retained their miniscule lead with a trouncing of Embrook, whilst pursuers Mortimer West End recorded an equally emphatic victory over Crown Wood. With Woodcote securing an impressive winning draw over a highly positive Sandhurst, and Pinkneys smashing Shinfield by 10 wickets, the division remains tight. Eight weeks remain, and, to some degree inspiringly, anything truly can happenn
