Band of Brothers C C | Sussex Martlets

Match Report

An invitation to play at the Belmont House cricket ground is one to be readily accepted and is a great privilege.

The fourth Lord Harris captained the Kent team for many years as well as the England team in 1878 that played in Australia for a Test match that instigated The Ashes test series.

From the mid to late 1800’s Belmont, alongside Lords and The Oval, was a pre-eminent ground at which to play. Even up until 1950 touring sides such as the West Indies would play at Belmont before the ground was closed. In 1999 a Trust was set up to restore the pitch and in 2007 the Band of Brothers played in the shadow of the Prospect Tower with views of the Kent countryside and the North Sea in the distance.

Having won the toss, the Band of Brothers decided to field and openers Nigel Angus (51) and Marcus Campopiano put on 57 for the first wicket. This was followed by a solid 30 from Jerry Hines which took the score to 100 for 2 before losing two quick wickets to finish the morning session at 131 for 4.

After an excellent Belmont House lunch in the Orangery, Martletts lost 4 quick wickets to make the score 149 for 8. The 9th wicket partnership between Derek Horsham and Richard Clarke of 22 helped the recovery before Horsham was LBW to Munton 171 for 9. Skipper Paul Lack joined Richard Clarke (30 not out) in an unbeaten last wicket stand of 53 before the declaration was made at 224 for 9. The Band of Brothers bowlers shared the wickets between Henderson, Regan, Wilks-Green and Munton.

Band of Brothers put on an opening stand of 61 in the first 10 overs thanks to some tight opening bowling from Clarke and Horsham (1 for 40).

As the score progressed Bjorn Mordt, Captain of Henley this summer where the Australian Agar played for him prior to his selection for the Australian Test team, was introduced to the attack. Mordt pegged back the Band of Brothers with 5 for 61, accompanied by Mark Trubshaw with 2 for 71. S Pollington, Hammond, Regan and Wilks-Green kept the score moving.

At 222 for 7 Band of Brothers looked on course to win when the Band of Brothers skipper, Jamie Henderson, was caught by Marcus Campopiano off Bjorn Mordt for 27. This produced an exciting finish when the scores were levelled at 224 with 2 wickets remaining. In the search for the final run, the last two wickets succumbed to run-outs, the final one from a direct hit by Clive Grierson.

A tremendous finish to result in a tie and many thanks to the hospitality and catering of Belmont House, the warm welcome from the Band of Brothers, our umpire Les Newcombe, our scorer Nigel Smith and the opposition’s scorer and umpire a wonderful day’s cricket was had by all.