The Sunday XI took on Warlingham in a timed game in some late September sunshine. Headley batted first and James Midmer (19) and Andrew Pickering (111*) made a solid start to take the score to 60-0. The 10th over saw the arrival of Sid Horrocks onto the field. Sid had recently celebrated his 90th birthday and is still turning out regularly for Warlingham, a fantastic achievement. After a guard of honour from both sides the game continued. Midmer ran himself out but was replaced by the in-form Gus Noble (73) who immediately looked in fine touch. Pickering was firing an array of fine shots in his usual arc of wide long on. Warlingham proved unable to stop him and he marched to a savage 111* before the declaration came after 30.5 overs.
Warlingham had around 40 overs to chase this. They made a solid start in a pre-tea session, but after consuming an array of takeaway pizzas the visitors batting deteriorated. They lost the key wicket of Bashir to a snorter from Nick Tunnell and then slumped to around 120-6 with four wickets for Steve Barton. Headley were sensing a win but were frustrated in the final 15 overs by some dogged batting. Warlingham’s skipper struck a good 50. Grant Waller was summoned and immediately looked dangerous. Had he been pressed into service earlier it might have been a different result but as it was the visitors held out for a draw.
A beer was shared in the now chilly September evening with a tribute to Sid and a message from the Headley president Sir Michael Pickard. Headley now have just one more fixture left against a traditionally strong Kensington side, all support welcome!