On a cold and blustery day, so cold that Umpire Harris donned a pair of woolly gloves, Holmesdale won the toss and put us in, which looked like a good decision at the time as there was a shower just before the start and they had won 4 games batting second. Several showers during the course of the day turned out to be our downfall, although moving the covers on and off was a good way to build up match fitness. Once again the top three batted sensibly, tucking away the bad ball when it came, setting up a good platform for a later onslaught. Unlike previous weeks in which the middle order threw their wickets away and the platform collapsed, Cymbals and Simon came in and blasted us up to 246, well supported by Stanley, who brought up a well-deserved century by lofting the final ball of the innings for a huge six.

Muzzer bowled an impeccable line and length, as ever, making an early breakthrough, but it started raining heavily. When we went back out at ten to seven they had obviously decided to shut up shop, employing cynical time-wasting tactics, so Stretch came on to toss it up and get through as many overs as possible before the 20 started, taking a wicket in his first over. When the 20 started, Tidy took a wicket with his first ball, but their two best batsmen had a lengthy partnership, never looking like getting out, as they patted full tosses back to the bowler. With 5 overs to go, we still needed 4 wickets and the game was drifting. However, their skipper inexplicably tried to hit Tidy back over his head and was pouched by Stretch at mid-off. Tidy then dismissed the bloke who had fifty, and Muzzer knocked over numbers 7 and 8, both bowled, so we had 2 overs to take the last wicket. Unfortunately they were experienced campaigners and blocked them out without any difficulty.

So once again we were thwarted by the weather. Our match was the only incomplete match and we have lost points, despite totally outplaying the second-placed side. The sense of frustration was summed up when Cymbals’ shoes were filled with shaving foam whilst he was in the shower, only for him to put on a different pair of shoes when he came out.