For the second time this season, the fragile Badger sapling of hope was trampled by stampeding orange hooves, as the King’s Road claimed another victory, this time in the shorter format of the game.
The Badgers arrived in celebratory mood, ready to toast the 100th appearance of Badger legend Pete Warman. Finding himself in a very different ‘Hundred Club’ to certain other members of the side, he happily received the applause of both teams and proudly accepted his Badger ‘colours’ after the game. A founding member of the team back in 2007 (when Cadey was still at primary school), he has two centuries to his name, a shed-load of runs and, depending on which filter you use on his website, can claim to be the Badgers’ most successful captain of all time.
Pete Warman factfile
- Batting style: Majestic
- Running style: Reluctant
- Style: Questionable
- Teeth: Miniature
- Virility: Proven
- Batting Philosophy: Eleven people have agreed to stand in a field with you, throw a ball for you to hit and then go and fetch it for you.
However, Warman’s big day was ruined by a commanding King’s Road performance, who claimed victory with six wickets and two overs to spare. Only a gutsy 40 not out from captain Dollimore prevented the one-sided match from becoming a full on rout. Arriving at the crease with the score on 31/5, he provided square-jawed stability and some late hitting to guide the Badgers to 119/9 off their 20 overs.
The Badgers did everything they could to put the Road off their game, including the confusing tactic of naming a Marchant and Hirst combo who weren’t Jan and Lou, but very little could be done to halt the orange march of victory. The orange-cap victory brought with it an unassailable 2-0 series lead, with only the Supertest left to play.