The St Cross 2nd XI arrived at Green Jackets full of hope against an unbeaten Parley side. Of course, the weather
knew better, and a brisk downpour delayed the start, shortening the game to 48 overs. When the rain finally
relented, St Cross were sent in to bat. Charlie Harden and Sam Redhead opened up, and, against some tight bowling,
managed to lay a modest platform.
Harry Trussler then settled in for his trademark half-century—so inevitable that Harden celebrated it six runs too
soon. It was a relief to everyone (not least the scorer) when he finally reached 50 properly, after what felt like
several days at the crease. Ben Foster, fresh off a year of drinking in Nottingham and forgetting what a bat was for,
produced a classy 64 that briefly raised hopes of a formidable total. From there, though, it turned into classic St
Cross fare: Hockey chipped a tame 3, Sacco contributed a rapid 4 before remembering he doesn’t like running, and
Whillock closed out his TFC (Thanks For Coming) performance with a rousing golden duck. Though, credit where it’s
due, Whillock’s off-field record was far more successful—reliable sources confirm he’s now upgraded to Choice
Ladies’ Cricketer by the Women’s first XI.
A final flurry from the tail took St Cross to 188, a total that was about 30 runs short of competitive—especially once
Parley’s openers wandered out looking untroubled by anything other than their own egos. When it was St Cross’s
turn to bowl, it quickly descended into a showcase of comedy. Within two overs, Charlie Harden—keeper, stand-up
comedian, commentator, podcaster and part-time saboteur—dropped a regulation nick off Oli Sandercock’s bowling. If looks could kill, Sandercock would have been in the Hampshire Crown Court by tea. Meanwhile, Riley
Sacco produced a fielding effort best described as “sedate”. Some say he’s still jogging to this day.

Alex Woolvine picked up a deserved wicket, and David Orchard bowled beautifully to take three. But the real
highlight was Ben Foster taking a catch so good the crowd actually applauded—right up until he calmly strolled over
the rope with it for six. Then came the main entertainment: Harden and Trussler, unable to resist, laid into Parley’s
Number 4 with relentless chirp. The same Number 4 who was all too happy to dish it out while fielding but promptly
squealed to the umpires for protection when on strike. In a post-match debrief, Trussler summed it up perfectly:
“Don’t give it if you can’t take it”. Despite a couple of late wickets, Parley cruised home with four overs to spare.
In summary:
● Three drops, one meltdown, and a boundary catch that doubled as a gift
● A close call for the captain and keeper
● A TFC so magnificent it ended in romance.
*And another sitter dropped from the original Author, to go with his ‘perfect trifecta of no balls’ - the Beamer, the
front foot and now knocking the bails off with his hand! Should be obvious by now who wrote this report!
The team takes on Paultons this week—surely it can’t get any more eventful. See you there.