After the disappointment of having last weeks match cancelled by the opposition 3 hours before we were due to start the Old Boys had 10 clear days to focus their attention on putting one over the Lazarus XI. Some Hobbers were still smarting from the opening match of the 2006 season were we registered our lowest ever total - Laz bowling us out for 64 in less than 13 overs.

Tonight's match saw HOB travel south of the river to The Clanage, a picturesque ground where the Suspension Bridge formed the backdrop. Skip Jon won the toss and decided this time we would chase.

Immediately this looked like a horrendous decision (once again) from our captain, the Lazarus opening batters punishing Brown and finding the boundaries with ease on this small pitch. 36 were on the board when the first wicket fell, Brown bowling a straight one that the batsman missed. Unfortunately we were still in the third over - the normally very economical Brown going for more than 6 an over. SJ Smith removed the other opener in the very next over, bowling a bouncer that didn't bounce; a wicket maiden and HOBs are back in the game.

The onslaught continued however, every loose ball being driven to the fence, the only way to win this game was to bowl straight and hope the batsmen missed. SJ Smith picked up his second wicket in this manner and then Barrett removed the danger man Haynes who looked set for a half century. Stu 'Golden Arm' Adams then picked up his customary 3 wickets, the first a one handed grasp from Pearce deep on the boundary, the second just clipping the top of off stump and the third a stumping from Fillingham (Fillingham finally getting his man having dropped a regulation catch behind a couple of overs earlier). Death bowler Davies claimed up the other wicket, another straight one that made a mess of the stumps.

Lazarus XI finished their innings on 132 for 8 from 20 overs.

Even the erratic batting of the Old Boys could surely reach this very gettable target on a small pitch. Smith had already decided that the batting line up would be changed in order to give those who haven't had a decent bat recently a chance to impress. Ashford a Pearce held their hands the highest and were dually given the opening batting spots.

A reasonable start saw Pearce scoring the quicker of the two; Ashford's shots were finding the fielders who were expertly positioned on the rope. Pearce was the first to fall, caught after trying to play over the top. This was quickly followed by Ashford for 3, Trahar for 4 and both Clements and Brown for ducks, Joel's being the golden variety.

A desperate looking scorecard saw the in form SJ Smith at the crease with Stu 'I love it down the leg side' Adams. 24 for 5 and the distinct possibility that we could once again eclipse our most shambolic cricketing performance ever.

Adams hit a very quick fire 14 before being bowled, Barrett lasted 2 balls playing 'tip and run', then Fillingham dangled his bat out into the corridor of uncertainty edging one to the keeper behind. At least the score was now on 65 meaning this day wouldn't go down as the worst in HOB history.

Jon joined his brother in the middle with more than 10 an over now required; cue SJ to go mental, and mental he did go, taking apart Lambshead's old work buddy 'Choo choo' Lines which saw him pulled out of the bowling attack after two very expensive overs. The bowler at the other end was also having his figures raped until the long legged one misjudged a beamer and skied one that the wicket keeper safely caught. Gone was the possibility of a comeback, Jo falling for a very respectable 33.

Skip Jon was last man out, lofting one straight down the throat of the man at midwicket for 12 and alas HOB were dead, 29 runs short of our target.

A dejected HOB didn't even bother with the Man of the Match vote this week - a first. Even when there's only been 4 team members at the pub we've still managed to vote!

As that's a first, another first will be a joint 'Men of the Matches' as voted by me (as I've also been stitched up with having to write the match report) and the winners are..............Stu Adams for his quick fire 14 and another 3 wickets and Jo Smith for his excellent 33. At least you two can hold your heads high………….