Fulton masterclass leaves Navy treading water

Army 265 for 4 dec (Fulton 115) drew with Royal Navy 171 for 8

	James Fulton drives during his century at Lord's © Matt Bright

A splendid century from Captain James Fulton ensured the Army dominated their centenary match against the Royal Navy at Lord's, although they were unable to clinch victory due to gritty resistance during the final overs. After winning the toss and electing to bat, the Army made 265 for 4 declared, and were in total command when the Navy sank to 67 for 6. However, in a tense finale, the Navy rallied to 171 for 8, to ensure the draw.

With total cloud cover, the conditions were suitable for swing bowling, making the decision to bat first rather risky. However, Captain Fulton looked in fine form as deliveries were creamed through the covers off Jonathon Parker and Keith Adams. Jackson supported the barrage by launching a Parker half-tracker into the Grand Stand as if it were a missile.

However, Parker and Adams did tighten up their line and length, leading to a handful of deliveries which beat the bat. Other than that, the nearest the Royal Navy came to a breakthrough within the first 20 overs was an Adams imitation caught-and-bowled celebration from a bump ball, fooling the majority of the crowd.

The two batsmen marched on with precision, akin to the lunch interval entertainment of The Minden Band of the Queen's Division, as they reached 93 and 38 respectively at the break, with the score at 156 without loss.

After lunch, Fulton was now hungry for his century. He advanced to 99 before emphatically stroking yet another superb boundary to bring up the hundred. His helmet was removed, bat held high, whilst he soaked up the deserved applause. Fulton said "today was very special", as his proud parents, wife and six-month-old son were all watching at Lord's.

The Army's onslaught continued. Jackson fired a leg glance over mid-wicket for four; the ball narrowly missing Jocelyn Galsworthy's easel, much to the amusement of the crowd. The famous cricket artist retrieved the battered ball before returning to her painting.

The first wicket finally fell after 42 overs, with Fulton cutting to Jonathon Batley in the slips off Mark Toogood's bowling, having scored 115. At 194 for 1, the Navy were in at the deep-end.

The return of the opening bowlers forced some rare Army errors. Adams up-rooted Dan Webb's middle stump, having scored eight runs, and Tim Burt's quick hands stumped Murray Heyns (26) and Jackson (67) off Parker. However, the damage was done, and the Army declared leaving the naval men with rough seas ahead.

The Navy's response began miserably with David Wade claiming the cheap wickets of Toogood, Batley and David Upton, making the score 29 for 3 at tea.

During the interval, both sides were presented to her Royal Highness Princess Anne and her husband Vice-Admiral Tim Laurence. Meeting royalty must have got to Shaun Needham's head, as two balls after tea, he skied a short ball off Wade, which miraculously landed between the bowler and Ian Redfern at mid-on. Needham ran during the mix-up, but the stumps were thrown down by Redfern ending the circus act, running him out for 7.

The calamity continued with Callum Smith being caught by Redfern off Jonathon Boynton for nine, and Paul Snelling was dismissed by Oli Burwell for 20.

To reclaim some dignity, Burt and Parker produced some fine batting to record a fifty partnership from 67 balls. However, this work was undone by Heyns, as Parker was bowled for 38 after an entertaining display of powerful hitting. This was swiftly followed by Adams being cleaned up by Senneck for three, bringing the total to 147 for 8.

Burt's solid undefeated half-century and Slocombe's defence ensured the tumbling wickets came grinding to a halt, as the pair blocked out the remaining overs for the draw.

Next week, the Navy will be looking to seek revenge after the Army's command, as they meet again for the Inter-Services fixture.