Unbelievably the sun was shining and sun cream was to be applied for the visit of Octopus. This Fixture very nearly didn't go ahead due to the loss of the Bishopston ground. Special thanks to Jo for rearranging the game at Vassals Park in Fishponds at the last minute. The London boys hammered us in the last match when we toured there, self inflicted booze wounds to blame, so the Old Boys arrived at the ground determined to regain the Challenge Trophy and continue their superb run of form.

Captain Smith won the toss and elected to bat first, a decision that had proved fruitful in previous matches. Sarjeant and the skipper opened the batting at the top of a strong Old Boys batting line up. Both started solidly but Ogilvie, who was bowling superbly, bowled Jo with an outstanding delivery that swung sharply and clipped off stump. Phil followed swiftly after leaving Ed and Pete to face the rampant otter. Pete didn't last long in the middle but was able to return to his camping chair and the comfort of his crime thriller that he seemed more interested in! This brought JS Smith to the crease and he attempted to steady the ship with the master steadier… Alas Jon is not known for his defensive play and stupidly got himself out by sky-ing one straight into the catching mitts at square.

Panic stations for HOBs, four down for very few……………34 to be precise. Stu 'Golden Arm' Adams was up next, and went on to show that he had some 'Golden Bat' tendencies too! He hit a quick fire 21 with Ed doing his usual job of holding up the other end. Finally we had some runs on the board and the partnership was just about to reach 50 when Adams was undone by a straight one.

Ashley strode up (the pitch was on a hill) to the middle in determined mood, desperate for a decent knock and he dually obliged. Running out of overs, Fillingham took the game to Octopus and smashed a stunning 40 from 29 balls before eventually being bowled by Ogilvie, missing one that hit his pads and rolled into the stumps. On his way out he received some harsh sledging from the otter but was smugly able to retort that the 'damage had already been done!' Davies upped the ante and Henleaze crept up to a decent 164 off the reduced 35 overs.

JS Smith Catering Ltd took over the catering contract from Trahar Luxury Picnics for the day and proved a more than worthy replacement, although the car boot replacing the YMCA fridge put Smith at a distinct disadvantage! Jon and Ashley doing the food shop was always going to result in a more 'cake' based tea........

Henleaze wearily took to the field, a bit too full up on cakes and a bit too much sun had by most! Jon and Jo opened the bowling and made a solid economical start. Jo got the breakthrough straight bowling the opener Slaterly for 2. Barrett took over from Jon who was splitting his overs (and blowing out of his arse) and proceeded to bowl one of his best spells for the club taking three wickets in total, including those of Mike and Sam who were helping Octopus out, although making up the numbers they were not, contributing 28 and 10 respectively.

Next in was Stuart Ogilvie. Who would claim the prize wicket? A prize wicket not through his batting prowess of course, but purely for bragging rights. Stu was heard mumbling something along the lines of "as long as the wicket is nothing to do with Jon, Jo or Ashley I don't care how many I get." The Old Boys granted his wish and Ed got him, caught by Stu Adams for a pathetic 1. Careful what you wish for big man!!

Henleaze were still looking a little sluggish in the field so after the drinks break an inspired team talk from skipper Jo was required to galvanised the troops into action. HOBs like defending a total now and were keen to extend the winning streak. Adams, Davies and bowling revelation Ashord mopped up the tail resulting in a hard fought but thoroughly deserved 20 run win for the Bristol boys. Credit to Octopus as the game was only wrapped up with a couple of overs to spare.

A really special thank you to again to Jo for sourcing a pitch to play on, Ashley (with a little help from Jon) for building the score board thing and for buying the luminous orange tent pegs that glowed so brightly out on the boundary, and of course thanks to our friends from London for another enjoyable day.