article banner image

Having won the first four games of the season, the Badgers headed into the first South London Ashes encounter of 2015 full of confidence. However, without the services of Captain Mackrell, who was otherwise engaged becoming a ninja, the Badgers were forced to call upon VC Cole to lead the team out, aiming to provide the same fighting spirit as Black Belt Mackrell. Initial signs were positive, as the Badgers won the toss and bravely took to the field in awful conditions: constant drizzle, dark clouds, cold winds and a damp pitch (salvaged only by a year’s supply of Badger sawdust from Big Red) and two early wickets saw King’s Road fall to 9/2. Then, an unknown figure with an Australian accent strode to the middle – an even more ominous sight than watching Robin break bricks with his bare hands!

The Aussie in question, who the Badgers only later discovered went by the name of Sam Lavender (he was that mysterious!) proceeded to rip the Badgers bowling attack to shreds, and with the exception of a spilled slip catch off the huff and puff seam bowling of Cole, played out a chanceless 92. He was joined at the crease by a much more familiar face, by the name of Matt Glover, who decided that moving to league cricket wouldn’t rule him out of every King’s Road fixture, and conveniently smashed 29 off 18 balls before being castled by the brave Dollimore, the pick of the Badger bowlers, with figures of 3-38. Dolli was backed up by plucky spells from Foord and Cade (the latter inevitably claiming the scalp of another left hander) as The Road finished on 198 from their 40 overs. A good total, but not a single Badger in the sett felt it wasn’t gettable as they took shelter in the pavilion for tea.

The Badgers reply got off to a calamitous start, and before long there were four Badgers in the hutch with the score only on 24. The highlight of the wickets (or maybe lowlight?!) was the farcical run out of Thorpe. “Yes, No, Wait, Maybe, Yes, F**k” were just a selection of the words exchanged between he and opening partner, Cloke, in the seconds that led up to the incident, which saw Thorpe dismissed for the dreaded “Platinum Duck”. However, it was not all doom and gloom, and when Morse and Thomas were at the crease, Badger hopes increased and a 50 run partnership saw the score ascend to 114-5. Plenty of batting to come and no issues with run rate, especially with the swashbuckling Morse in full flow. Thomas was combining majestic forward defensive strokes – “that made Josh Lee’s look ugly” – with some ferocious hitting in a career best knock for the Badgers. Eventually falling for 35, it brought the Badgers the impetus they so badly needed and Nick Foord was in no mood to let the momentum slip, clearing the pavilion roof with one lusty heave over cow corner. But as is their wont, the Badgers, succumbed to the “pie chuckers” that King’s Road were serving up, as well as some more legitimate beguiling spin from Lomas Persad – who finished with crazy figures of 3-2-1-2 – and Foord’s dismissal triggered a late collapse that saw the Badgers fall 44 runs short, on 154.

Captain Mackrell came to watch just as the Badgers collapse started. Should we read something into that? Did he jinx us with his new Ninja powers? As diplomatic as ever, Captain Cole could only blame the weather, as he retreated into the pavilion, shivering – despite wearing two jumpers and a jacket – wondering what might have been.

Sunday 31st May 2015 KRCSC Kings Road Cricket and Social Club vs Badgers Battersea Badgers

Kings Road Cricket and Social Club 198 for 7 (40 overs)

  • Lavender 92 (90)
  • Persad 31 (42)
  • Glover 29 (18)
  • Dollimore 3/38 (7)

Battersea Badgers 154 for 10 (35 overs)

  • Morse 42 (37)
  • Thomas 35 (44)
  • Foord 32 (22)
  • Rossi 3/29 (6)
  • Persad 2/1 (3)
  • Small 2/22 (6)
Full scorecard
  1. Rex Tremendae*

    Ploughmans match report 21st Aug 2023 — by Chris Shone
  2. A Tale of Two Dickies

    Cincinnati match report 17th Aug 2023 — by Martin Fitzgerald
  3. Badger on a hot tin roof

    Southbank match report 12th Jun 2023 — by Martin Fitzgerald
  4. 3 Ducks & 22 Men, A Badger Versus Ducksmen Classic

    Flying Ducksmen match report 27th May 2023 — by Karl Larsson
  5. A Bloodless Coup

    19th May 2023 — by Martin Fitzgerald
  6. A Hard Day's Plight

    JMC match report 15th May 2023 — by Karl Larsson
  7. Badgers out for the count

    V&A match report 1st May 2023 — by Karl Larsson
  8. Yes Minister, the Badgers can boogie

    His Majesty's Treasury and Cabinet Office match report 24th May 2022 — by Tom Rex
  9. Jump-start Justin steers Badgers to victory

    Southbank match report 24th May 2022 — by Tom Rex
  10. Any colour you like, as long as it’s Kew

    Kew match report 27th Apr 2022 — by Tom Rex
  11. Suds, Spoons & Blake Break

    Addiscombe match report 27th Apr 2022 — by Nick Foord
  12. Soggy bottom costs Badgers the win

    Cincinnati match report 1st Sep 2020 — by Tom Rex
  13. Badgers sizzle in Beddington scorcher

    Beddington match report 1st Sep 2020 — by Tom Rex
  14. Look East

    Interlopers match report 1st Sep 2020 — by Josh Lee
  15. A Winning End to Lock-Downe

    Downe match report 12th Aug 2020 — by Tom Rex
  16. Badgers Goosed by Soaring Ducksmen

    Flying Ducksmen match report 3rd Aug 2020 — by Tom Rex
  17. All Hail Breaks Loose

    Addiscombe match report 26th May 2019 — by Josh Lee
  18. It’s grim up North London

    Arkley match report 4th Sep 2018 — by Peter Cade
  19. Badgers Win by 32 Runs

    Thespian Thunderers match report 1st Sep 2018 — by Stuart Barker
  20. Two For One

    Eagles and Eagles match reports 12th Aug 2018 — by Peter Cade
Older Articles