Valley End, Sunday 11 May 2025.

Valley End 212-2 dec (38 overs: Josh Cormier 53 ret; Matthew Parfitt 51 ret) beat St Anne’s Allstars 112 all out (28 overs: Pradosh Bose 30; Ian Davison 4-16) by 100 runs.

Allstars Debuts: Akhil Anilkumar, Sanj Sharma.

Report by Garreth Duncan – Photos by Anindya Roy, Garreth Duncan and Nic Knight

It is great to return to Valley End after such a long absence. Despite being a regular fixture on our calendar as far back as 2013, it seemed as though the fates were beginning to conspire against us ever playing them again – since our last fixture in 2019, Covid, three successive washouts, and a mix-up over a ground booking, had led some Allstars to question whether their lovely ground in Surrey was a kind of Brigadoon which only appears magically every 75 years. They were delighted to welcome us again, and as always, looked after us fantastically. With a mighty playing resource at all levels, they were always favourites to win – but only after another battling display in which we gave our all.

We were pleased to welcome two new faces to the Allstars. Sanj Sharma, who found us on Instagram, bravely strapped up his knee injury to pass himself fit to play, and Akhil Anikumar, the latest of our our Banbury contingent – some of whom were playing back to back games that weekend, having featured for Wing CC the previous day.

On a gorgeous sunny day, Valley End skipper Matthew Parfitt won the toss and chose to bat. Allstars skipper Barathwaj Nagarajan immediately showed faith in our two debutants, throwing them in at the deep end by asking them both to open the bowling. Both Akhil and Sanj quickly showed they were up for the challenge, finding a good length and line and giving Valley End openers Austen Reedman and Josh Cormier little to play at. It soon became apparent that the bounce was a little uneven – the ball lifting off a length from one end, and scuttling through at the other – but neither Akhil nor Sanj got the break that their excellent opening spells deserved. Pradosh Bose, returning after an excellent start to Allstars cricket last season, replaced Sanj at the far end, and he soon found the same spot – but still without any reward.

It was to be the spinners who provided the first breakthrough. Our co-captain Vivek Seth, in his 17th season for the Allstars and closing in on a century of caps, is bowling better than ever, and he soon settled onto an immaculate line. Initially missing out as two difficult chances went down – though one would have been the catch of the season had it been held – he finally got the wicket he deserved by bowling Reedman. Seeing that spin was bringing rewards, skipper Barathwaj brought himself on to bowl, and his variations instantly troubled all the batsmen. He struck soon after the drinks break, pinning Bodoano lbw.

There were to be no more wickets – but, despite having only 10 players, we still stuck really well to our task in the field to keep the score down. Anindya Roy, in particular, made some heroic stops on the boundary, and I finished with matching bruises on both ankles from stopping some fierce cover drives close in. But Valley End’s canny mixture of colts and veterans continued on their way, and they eventually declared at 212 for 2 just before the allotted 40 overs were up.

Since Covid, cricket teas have gone out of fashion at some venues – but not this one. Valley End’s tea was worth the wait, a fantastic selection even including a cheese board.

Suitably refreshed, Matt Biss and Nic Knight set out to open the batting for the Allstars. But we got off to a bad start as Matt, on the lookout for a quick single, saw an opportunity as the ball went to the left side of the right-handed Cormier. Unfortunately, as Valley End secretary Ed Walters informed me, he’s their best fielder, and he threw down the stumps direct to send Nic on his way. Nic had to head off early for some family time, and we had some fun winding up Matt by saying he’d stormed off early in a huff – but, ever generous, Matt has assured Nic he owes him a pint. Sanj began his first Allstars innings usefully, but Valley End’s head groundsman Martin Fagent found the shooter spot on the pitch to bowl him – and, just as he was beginning to find some batting rhythm, Matt picked out Cormier at cover again. We were 34 for 3 and victory already looked out of sight – but we still had the draw to play for.

John Kingston, returning to the county where he’d had his first taste of English cricket after arriving from the Emerald Isle, and showed stout resistance, and Roy continued his good day as they began to tick the overs down. But Ian Davison continued to probe with his accurate medium pace, and he bowled both John and Akhil in quick succession. Having crunched Davison for a boundary through midwicket, I then hooked his next delivery down short fine leg’s throat. Soon after, left-armer Charlie Deane disturbed Roy’s stumps, and we were 58 for 7.

Still, Valley End knew their job wasn’t yet done – they kept asking where our “gun” players were hiding down the order. Barathwaj and Pradosh set about the task well, keeping the good balls out and dispatching the bad ones to the fence. Pradosh in particular looked in really good touch – but the pitch still had a few tricks up its sleeve, and his innings was ended as George Champion bowled him with another shooter. Skipper Parfitt then finished the job for his team as he bowled both Vivek and the returning Akhil. Barath was left stranded on 24 not out – but he’d skippered well against tough opposition and did not deserve defeat.

So it was Valley End’s day on the pitch – but it still couldn’t have been a better day. They are a real friendly bunch, and we enjoyed a beer and helped them finish their excellent tea as we chatted over a good day’s cricket. Hopefully we won’t have another 6 year wait before we return – but next up, we defend the James Abrahams Trophy against our old friends Mighty Wanderers at a stunning setting, the grounds of the National Trust property Ham House in Richmond.