06 July 2026
Runs, Run-Outs and a Dying Swan: Walking Cricket Takes to the ELC
Thursday 2 July 2026 saw Falkland Walking Cricket Club (FWCC) hosting Purley Walking Cricket Club (PWCC) in glorious sunshine on a pitch excellently prepared by the Falkland groundsman. This was a return fixture, FWCC having ‘come away with some learning points’ after being handed a drubbing at Purley in April.
FWCC won the toss and put Purley into bat. Any terrors Falkland might reasonably have retained from their previous encounter with PWCC's star opener abated when he missed a straight one in the first over. Nonetheless, PWCC put on steady runs until the introduction of Adam Prickett produced a breakthrough, his first ball for FWCC resulting in a sharp caught and bowled. Adam ended up with 3 wickets off his 2 overs. Umpire Nigel Trumper purred appreciation for the Falkland bowling effort, with Neil Vicker, Dave Fuller and Bob Beecroft in particular remaining steady under pressure. FWCC's fielding highlight was the ‘dying swan’ from Richard Giles, subsiding gracefully as he clutched an excellent catch between his knees to applause from all & an offer no doubt from Sadlers Wells.
PWCC set FWCC a testing 160. FWCC were up to the challenge and with steady partnerships throughout and some mighty 6s from captain Robin Wallis and a top score of 29 from Neil Vicker put on a competitive 133 with 4 overs to go. Sadly the rules of walking cricket demand a deduction of 5 runs for each wicket lost, and as such the FWCC challenge faltered as the cunningly marshalled visitors inflicted a series of run-outs on the Falkland lower order. The eventual total of 114 off their 20 overs did at least bring FWCC closer to a win than on these teams’ previous encounter, which may be some sort of moral victory if not an actual one.
The day ended with the teams taking lunch in The Bowler’s Arms, and reflecting on a day of good sportsmanship and fine skills on both sides.
Falkland Walking Cricket Team:
Robin Wallis (Captain)
Neil Vicker (Vice Captain)
Chris Hastings
Bruce Blaine
Dave Fuller
Bob Beecroft
Adam Prickett
Pete Borer
Keith (Dapper)
Richard Giles
Mike Gibbs
