What can I say…Michael Fish couldn't have been more wrong as the weather continued to be glorious in Bristol. After a brief warm up (which I was late for as usual), in which Lambshead picked up a inflated palm, the skipper used his exceedingly good judgement and won the toss, opting to field first. The wicket was dry and cracks were present providing a good bowling surface for the HOB. The boundaries (?) were evidently short on three sides and were marked by…well…the fences.

The captain looked to Brown and brother Jo to open the bowling. Surely the pace of Brown and cunning style of Smith would rip through the aged Fishponds side, one of which sported a WC Grace beard. Their opening batsmen (who halved the average age of their side) produced a fairly robust stance but Taylor succumbed to the relentless pressure of Brown and was cleaned bowled for 16. Brown then proceed to mix the pace up which left the 3rd batsman in awe, as Davies happily took a straightforward catch sending him quickly back to the pavilion with no score. Joel ended his 4 overs with a very respectable 2-25. Although without a wicket, Jo finished with tidy figures of 21 off 4 overs.

The skipper then brought Lambshead and himself on to try and see off the opening batsman who looked all too comfortable. Lambshead's first over was a tad costly as the home side found the boundary. A few possible half chances went begging with Trahar and Pearce stopping boundaries but not holding onto the ball. Pearce redeemed himself as he clung onto a long and high smash to give Lambshead his wicket. Mr Adams was then brought on with the skipper. John made the next breakthrough and their best batsman finally dropped a normal boundary short for brother Jo to make the catch, departing for a very good 51. Despite losing Joel to injury, the HOB were then in the ascendancy.

With a further wicket from the skipper (a tidy caught and bowled) and one from the man Adams, Fishponds middle order looked decidedly dodgy. Our very own gourmet chef Adams (aka Gordon Ramsey) and Ed Davies then proceeded to bowl their batsmen into Fillingham's trap. With 'well pitched balls' Fillingham came into his own with two tasty catches from both Gordon and Ed, followed by a very good stumping from a clever Adams delivery. The final wicket came from a straight bowl from Davies sending Chandler (Bing) and Fishponds to the field with a very reachable total of 107.

The HOBs were confident that a second victory in three days was on the cards. The Captain sent Adams and Pearce out to the wicket, and it was agreed that Adams would open (Pearce being too afraid having seen their opener warm up). Pearce was right and Adams was cleaned bowled by a stunning delivery for 0. Jo stepped up to the breach and hit a boundary from the weaker of the two bowlers before he went the same way as Adams with Pearce still quaking at the other end. Captain John saw off their opening bowler and after watching Pearce hit his best for HOBs (13), which took the score to 35 he led the fight with Lambshead with some good shots and risky running. Lambshead finally gave way with a respectable 17, leaving the score at 67. Smith soon followed Lambshead back to the pavilion but could hold his head up high with the best innings score of 28 (although he still didn't have his eye in!).

Monday's heroes were next in and though the run rate was slower than the opposition, HOB were confident that Davies and Fillingham could make the runs. Davies stepped up, connected well but oh no straight to a fielder - out for 0. All eyes turned to Fillingham…second delivery…the ball kept low…very low…. and the score remained at 67 but for 6 wickets.

It was not looking good for the HOB with the only the tail to come needing 40 off 5 overs. Clements and Barrett tried valiantly to build a partnership - but Clements went for 1 (sorry I was at the bar!). A glimmer of hope appeared as Barrett dispatched a wonderful six into some child's paddling pool followed by a sweetly struck four and with Trahar striking a splendid boundary things were looking up. However, a turn for the worse and Lusted took his second wicket and HOBs last due to the injured Brown…it was all over - defeated by 21 runs. Man of the Match was between two true sportsmen and Gordon edged the captain out of it by two votes. Here's to better batting next week!!