Would this be our last match of the season?  The Skip lost the toss and we were told to field.  This was not such a bad thing as over the season our performances have been better batting second.

Brown, returning from injury, and Jo Smith opened the bowling.  By their standards their economy rate was below par.  Only one wicket came in the opening overs with Stoke Druid’s top three all being in the runs.

The highlight of the opening exchanges was when Brown bowled a juicy half volley which the batsmen latched on to.  It was directed towards Trahar at mid off, and he shaped up to get his whole body behind it in order to prevent a boundary being scored.  Well it was actually more just his knee that the ball hit!  As a result he went straight down onto the floor unable to walk, our wicketkeeper showing no mercy demanded that the ball should be thrown into the gloves.  Needless to say the words exchanged were not very complimentary and after a few overs struggling on the field, Trahar retired to the pavilion.

Jon Smith and Lambshead came on and soon found their rhythm, bowling a good line and length to achieve good economy rates.  Smith getting two wickets with his left arm seamers and Lambshead achieving a caught and bowled, despite some lbw shouts which were ‘surely that must be out!’

A piece of inspiration came from Joel Brown when one of their batsmen tried to steal a cheeky single.  He chose the wrong man to take on and with just one stump to aim at the bails came flying off together with the stumps being uprooted.  This must be up there for one of the champagne moments of the season, and something which a ‘Pratt’ would have been proud of!

Barrett and Davies (the death bowlers) came on to make up the 20 overs with just one wicket falling during this time.

Chasing a total of 116 to win Davies and Jon Smith, our two leading run scorers for the year opened the innings, but soon Smith fell, caught at square leg and straight away Fillingham (bowled – ball keeping very low) followed.

Jo Smith came in to steady the ship with Davies, and at one point 116 didn’t seem too far away.  However, Smith having made 25 lobbed one up to point and a relatively simply catch was taken.  Cryer came to the wicket, and all that was required was for him to keep Davies company for a while.  Cryer ignored Davies’ advice and Cryer proceeded to smack his first delivery straight into mid offs hands.

Clements came in and contributed one before being bowled, but all was not lost as Pearce came to the wicket.  Another mistake was to follow with Davies being run out after hesitating for a single.  Pearce then took control of the innings making 26 which included some hefty blows to the boundary.

HOB came short of the target with Barrett and Lambshead making single figures.  Brown and Trahar the batsmen being not out.

The 116 score was well within our grasp, considering some of the performances we have previously made.  Lapses in concentration whether they be from fielding or poor shot selection proved our downfall.  Hopefully we should be able to learn from the mistakes we made and when in the same situation again the result will come our way.

Finally man of the match went to Alan Pearce for his good all round fielding and being top scorer with 26.