On a humid but overcast afternoon, inevitably we were in the field (Gremlins winning the toss). Would our answer to Messrs Harmison and Sidebottom be able to exploit the bowler friendly conditions? JS Smith and Barrett more than proved they were up to the challenge, Smith troubling the batsmen up with his inswinging deliveries, whilst Barrett with his length, line and pace regularly beating the bat. Gremlins struggled and lets face it who wouldn't (!), but the Old Boys opening bowlers were unlucky not to get more wickets than they did in their opening spell.

The first change bowlers of SJ Smith and Adams continued the good work of our opening bowlers. Gremlin's Burnett however decided to take a few chances with a few forceful blows and our skip had to bring a change with our answer to Monty, Mr Paul Ashford. Showing his destructive capabilities with the ball, Ashford took two wickets in two balls to take the sting out of Gremins' innings of which they never recovered.

It was left to Davies together with the returning Barrett to complete Gremlins allotted overs allocation and they capitalised by picking up some cheap wickets, bowling them out in the 39th over. The pick of the bowlers, well there was only one real contender, JS Smith, picking up three wickets and conceding just 14 runs from 8 overs.

Following what can only be described as a disastrous batting display on Thursday, Davies and Fillingham set about chasing down the target of 133 in a purposeful manner, 6 coming from the first over and then Fillingham contributing with some lusty pulls through midwicket for 4. Looking and feeling comfortable out in the middle is always a danger, and on 17 Fillingham had the top of his off stump knocked over by a delivery that would have got most batsmen out.

Trahar - after delivering another fine spread - played a few majestic strokes before directing the ball into covers hands when on 13. During his stay at the crease Pete contributed an early contender for champagne moment of the season, an effortless straight drive that went for six, which I think surprised him more than anyone!

SJ Smith strode to the wicket and at first, together with Davies, consolidated after loosing two relatively quick wickets. The third wicket partnership worked the bowlers around with relatively ease, with Smith providing the odd belligerent boundary. After the mid innings break, the scoring rate went up a notch, with the HOBs reaching the target in the 25th over inflicting an eight wicket victory over the Gremlins. Special mention must go to our captain, Smith, for an undefeated second fifty for the Old Boys and for this he was duly named man of the match.

In summary our bowling, fielding and batting was first class. Now the standard has been set, will HOBs be able to produce any more clinical performances like this? Only time will tell………..