The Old Boys arrived on the warmest day of the year with the apprehension about the hard work in front of them in the intense heat. This was compounded by the news that we were down to 10 men due to a mechanical failure. Mr Trahar missing in action, last seen on the hard shoulder of the M5. Despite a few frantic phone calls we were going to be a man short, our stand in captain for the game SJ Smith won the toss and put the MOD into bat. This was despite previous conversations and concerns about the heat and not wanting to bake in the field, Smith had a 'hunch' though and wanted to make best use of the new nut.

Barrett and Lambshead shared the new ball and in no time at all the top three batsmen were back in the pavilion, failing to trouble the scorers due to some excellent and accurate bowling. MOD recovered the innings steadily despite tight bowling backed up with some excellent fielding. A couple of expensive overs towards the end of their innings aided a run chase of 95 to win with Davies (3-28) and Lambshead (2-20) the main wicket takers.

After previous matches this season and last where we've sometimes got off to a slow start in trying to 'see off' the opening bowlers a new opening partnership of Serjeant and Zogaraphou were giving the opportunity to get us off the a flier - and that they did.

After 6 overs 35 was already registering on the scoreboard when the first wicket fell, Niko being clean bowled after hitting a career best 16. A couple of quick wickets in the same over left us struggling when both Adams and SJ Smith went for ducks. Al Pearce took the initiative and played some great shots on his way to scoring 14 ably supported firstly by Serjeant who eventually fell for 21 and then by Fillingham.

After Fillingham, Pearce and then Barrett fell in quick succession 20 runs were needed to win with 6 overs in hand.

With only Lambshead and Clements left to come the orders from the sideline was for them to 'block up' one end to allow Davies to farm the strike. A key moment was when Lambshead survived a loud lbw shout; the ball hitting him on the back foot dead in front of the stumps but was not given out by a dubious umpiring decision.

This partnership had now grown to 18 when disaster struck; Lambshead looking back in disbelief when his stumps were knocked over having made a valiant 6.

Just 2 runs short of victory and the tension building, last man Clements strode to the crease. Captain Smith umpiring at square leg gave the call for Tom's girlfriend Dieuwer to 'pad up' as we may need an emergency number 11.

Old Man Clements showing nerves of steel blocked out the first delivery before going after a slightly wider one and running through for a quick single leaving Davies to hit the winning run from the next ball. HOB winning by 2 wickets with 8 balls to spare!

It was a very good all round team performance, highlighted with some excellent ground fielding and the holding of all of our catches. Despite a few batting failures the Old Boys just had enough to see us home. Zographou took the well deserved the Man of the Match pint after some excellent fielding in the deep and more importantly his 'pinch hitting' opening cameo role.

Well done everyone!