Last night Henleaze entertained United Banks at home. We had lost our previous ties against them, so everyone was extra eager to win. Jo Smith, who had been stand in skipper for the last two matches took over the role on a permanent basis with Jon switching to vice captain. The Beast of Blaise had proved to be something of a nemesis for HOB in previous fixtures but we were disappointed not to see him last night. The weather was hot and hazy, the pitch was the best this year. Jo won the toss and elected to field.

The new skipper opened the bowling with Anth Barrett and produced his best ever spell of bowling. Barrett struggled to get into his usual rhythm but still bowled some dangerous deliveries.

The breakthrough came when Smith switched from over to around the wicket and forced the batsman into nibbling outside off, one of the best balls you're likely to see, Fillingham took the low catch.

Joel took over from Barrett prematurely (we're saving Anth for Sunday) and, after a very loose loosener, bowled very well forcing the batsman into an edge that the increasingly impressive Fillingham held on to. Jo should have had another scalp to his name when the bat edged another great ball down to his brother at slip who was furious with himself for not holding on to what was a difficult but definitely gettable chance. Jo got his second wicket when the batsman sliced one straight up in the air and Ash made an incredible sideways leap/stretch to catch the ball lying face down. Shouts of Ooo! when the bloody mess on his elbows became apparent.

Jon bowled tightly apart from one where the batsman hit a straight six but Smith fought back well to take a wicket, only going for 10 runs in total. Stu Adams took over from Brown and was one short of his usual three wicket haul. Lambshead supported well and got a wicket when Trahar took a difficult catch at midwicket, one of those horrible ones that stay in the air for an age.

At the end of the United Banks innings, they had made 81 for 7 off their 20 overs. An excellent bowling and fielding performance from the Old Boys ensured the opposition could never get away.

Henleaze are always confident of chasing down a total under 100 and this match was no different. Phil Serjeant and Ed Davies opened the batting as the Old Boys looked to get off to a flyer. Phil wasted no time and plundered a quick fire 16 that included three successive 4s with some glorious stroke play. Phil's weakness is the legside and ultimately this proved to be his downfall - the ball striking his pad and then onto the stumps.

Next in was the newly married Huffy. He had brought along his wife to watch, but she didn't get to see much of him bat as he was out for a quacker. Fillingham came to the crease full of confidence after an outstanding display behind the stumps. Trying to up the tempo, he scurried up and down scoring freely, whilst surviving 2 dropped catches.

Ed Davies was the next man out, under instruction to smash, he was clean bowled for a useful 20. Jon was next in, determined to score some runs after missing the last two matches. His eagerness was misplaced however when he ran a single that was never, ever there and poor Ash was run out for a confident 12. Fillingham understandably was fuming but had luckily calmed down by the time a nervous Jon returned to the pavilion.

A rapid 15 from Jon with support from Barrett saw Henleaze to victory with 6 overs to spare in a game we never looked like losing. Man of the match went to Fillingham for probably his best display behind the stumps to date. Special mentions for Serjeant, who took the game away from United Banks with his aggressive batting, Jo for an exceptional display of fast bowling and Trahar for a great catch under pressure.

Next up Octopus and our chance to retain the trophy...