The prospects weren’t too promising for the XL Club season’s annual curtain-raiser against Esher cricket club at St George’s Hill, this year moving even earlier into a wet and chilly February. M25/A3 roadworks, seemingly incessant rain and the inevitable injury or two all threatened to scupper things, but thankfully it all turned out well on the day and we stayed dry on the course.
The match teed off on time as Vince Chandler and Tony Stebbings faced Jon Robinson and David Brent. Andrew Cooke and John Scurlock-Davies secured a comfortable win as did the experienced Nick Kingsbury and Mike Halls; but alas the Esher team maintained their lengthy winning streak. David Judd and Alastair Lawson staged a thrilling comeback from 3 down after 3 to tie the match at the turn against Winder and Winder, and in an all XL Club member group Ian Fisher and the home-returning Guy Humphry-Baker prevailed against Julian Buck and Rob Grey. Nick Ray and David Wythe were pipped by the St George’s Hill captain who’d kindly stepped in to help at the eleventh hour.
A very enjoyable and convivial lunch followed and as darkness fell, the last remaining bits of the world were put to rights. With an Esher CC side containing 6 XL Club Members too it was a fine start to the season, as always well looked after by the St George’s Hill team. Thanks to all, especially to the SGH members for supporting the match but also to Simon Davies and Peter Wise, but for waiting patiently for the late arriving opposition. XLGS 2 : ECC 5.
Jules Winder, Match Manager
