On an eve that saw most of the country baking in a heat wave the HOBs were to meet the only team that have beaten them on all other occasions. Could the HOBs keep their cool or would the Old Boys get hot under their collective collar and once again fail to muster a win against this successful outfit from just over the hill.

JS Smith, Fatty Arbuckle, Baldy, El Capitano - call him what you will - had decided that if the toss was won then the Old Boys would bat first allowing the heat of the day to settle so we could 'hopefully' prove more sprightly in the field. Jon lost the toss (for his sake, thank god he's not a gambler) and as per usual the HOBs were to field first. Begrudgingly the Old Boys sloped on to the pitch and took up their positions.

The HOBs only international signing Anthony Barrett opened the bowling and kept things nice and tight, forcing the Fishpond's openers to defend more deliveries than they cared for. Joining Barrett at the other end of crease was SJ Smith, possibly HOBs fastest bowler with an equally unpredictable arm. Cries of "that nearly took my head off" have been heard in the nets when on the receiving end of a Samuel Smith Special. He bowled excellently forcing the opposition to play singles rather than hit out for the heady limits of the boundary. It was not long before HOBs were able to celebrate their first wicket, on delivery from Barrett, Lacey of Fishponds struck the ball sweetly, thankfully though sending it straight in the direction of JS Smith's hands. Cheers were raised as Lacey walked home with 9 under his belt.

HOBs seemed strangely to take this early wicket as a call to relax while the Fishponds batsmen took it as a call to up their run rate. Overs rolled by and so did the ball, often over the boundary, with unfit Hobbers running and sweating all over the place. It was time for our captain to take his turn at chucking the ball at the man with a wooden stick at the other end and see if he could hit the three bits of wood from out behind him. Unfortunately they protected their stumps well and their tally continued to move upwards, something was needed to end this current partnership as it was doing more damage to our stats than we cared for. Thanks to Fillingham's eager eyes it was not long before Fox of Fishponds was dispensed off the bowling of JS Smith for 26. Also to face the same grizzly fate at the hands of the same grizzly faced HOBs was Taylor, sending one sky high, straight up and straight back down into Ashley's hands. Hoorah, a much needed wicket of the Fishponds opening batsman who walked with a score just 8 shy of a half century.

These two vital wickets gave HOBs a big kick up the arse; or the remaining Fishponds batsman had left their glasses at home. With EC Davies and Mr Stu '3 wickets a game' Adams taking their turn, the bails seemed to literally fly of the stumps with the remaining Fishponds batsman (all 7 of them) making just 19 between them, although Fishponds CC finished with a respectable total of 109, this however was mostly thanks to their openers.

Due to the batting spectacular collapse last week, which resulted in an arse kicking from the cocky Lazarus lads, (they'll wait) JS Smith decided to revert to the old tried and tested method of putting in batsmen who can actually hold the bat and hit the ball, something which is quite important in the game we call cricket.

So like two experienced Knights entering battle, EC Davies and SJ Smith took up their positions and hit out like two opening batsman should, giving the watching HOBs not only some great cricket to watch but also hope of a win. Alas after a series of well placed 4's and numerous singles the run rate began to slow, and defensive shots and timid running allowed the scoreboard man time for a fag. With an encouraging chorus of "come on run 'em up" and "there's two there" from fellow Old Boys, SJ Smith took heed and began once again to test the fielders, and unleashed a series of smashes that included a further 4 down leg side and several singles. However, bravery got the better of Sir Jo of Redlandshire, and with a mighty swing that would have surely seen the ball enter orbit (if he had connected with it) SJ Smith was bowled by the cunning 'Fox' and returned home with a well-earned 25.

Sarjeant - who, in his own words "cannot play defensive cricket" - now joined Davies in the middle of the field and defensive cricket he certainly didn't play, hitting two quick 4's and having a go at anything that was thrown at him. This unorthodox yet effective technique saw Sarjeant to a quick 15 before he was bowled and forced to come home. Steady Eddie was now joined by captain Smith and this ever economical partnership continued to add to the scoreboard with Jon's quick calling seeing the singles roll in. After playing with 10 men and with a target of just 109 the away side asked if they could borrow a fielder. No HOBs really wanted to, but like the true gent he is Niko obliged, and found himself fielding at point for the opposition. His shining moment coming……and quickly going………dropping a catch that would have seen Ed walking.Talk of whether or not he dropped it 'accidentally' rebounded through those sat in the pavilion.

Unluckily though, Jon was soon to walk the same plank as Phil, being bowled by the swinging arm of Sohpil, also finishing on 15. With Jon gone the HOBs needed only 5 to win and Ashford, on his last match this season before swaning off on holiday for 3 weeks, was given the opportunity to close the deal and claim one back from Fishponds CC. Along with Ed, claim it back they did, Ashford making 5 not out, and Davis finishing on 36 not out.

This took the Old Boys to what seemed like an easy victory, using just 5 batsmen to clinch this game. Jon's decision to play a selection of our more skilled batsman high up the order paid of, making a total of 111 for 5 to see our first win over Fishponds.

Drinks were enjoyed by all at our new local The Wellington (we've boycotted the Kellaway for being a shit pub and not offering any free chips) where Ed was named man of the match for taking 3 wickets and opening and finishing the batting with 36 not out.