Following an unprecedented successful start to a season HOBs, were looking for a new challenge. New to the HOBs fixture list, Parsons Brinckerhoff was a step into the unknown. And, none of the team, new or old, was clear on whether it was going to be a roll over, or if we'd just be rolled over.

Captain Smith won the toss, and perversely with a cloud-filled sky chose to put the newcomers into bat. Perhaps, it was a tactical decision with HOBs being so assured in the field. Or, perhaps, as Smith himself admitted, he just stood there for 3 minutes unable to make a decision. Clearly, the sands of time ran out at the same time as 'we'll have a field' came out of his mouth.

So into the field they went. The usual opening partnership of Smith, Jon and Barrett both had their demons. Anth, seemingly unable to find his usual middle and off line and length gave away a number of wides - a sign uncommon to the antipodean as he trudged back to his mark. Smith, however, after a drought of 4 games managed to bag himself a soft c & b - still the drought was broken. We all believed, Jon would turn back into his destructive usual wicket taking self, sadly no. With an average of under 2 his cap-i-tan could hardly complain.

Parsons batted stoically, without really ever going anywhere. HOBs' secret Keynsham weapon came up with excellent turn taking the wicket of their best player who wildly swung to only look down and see both the bails on the ground. There were probably two main highlights to the innings. Firstly, Parsons' demolition of a neighbour's garden tree looking for a £2 cricket ball, which to their credit they found. With the daughter of the household looking on in awe it was unclear whether she was going to help them return the tree back to some semblance of life, or turn on her heals and run to the house shouting 'daaaddd'. The possibility of a middle-aged mad henleazian wielding a desert-spoon, screaming, 'what on eaaarrth have you done to my evergreen' would have brought welcome relief to a tight field who managed to cover most shots - sadly no. It is clear that HOBs' ability in the field just goes from strength to strength. This manifested itself in Trahar's finest fielding moment of the season. Pushed back to long on by Loughran, King, hit it high and hit it hard, thankfully he was no match for the quickly middle-aging man who gobbled up a catch of the top draw. Lodging itself in the top of his belly there was no was that little bugger was coming out! Raising in a black-panther salute the HOBs team surrounded him for this special moment - normally I drop them.....

HOBs were set 106 to win - an eminently achievable target in the light - likely to cause a few concerns in the dark: see earlier decision by our captain.

Thinking they were in a game HOBs sent in some of their more seasoned batters. Unfortunately, Davies chopped onto his stumps for a meagre 4. Mike Sergeant, made a very respectable 16 before forgetting he was Mike, not Phil, and got himself out playing the ball into his stumps off his legs in a fashion his brother is renowned for. Jon batted purposely until we began to get close to our required total and went from playing some excellent shots to swinging and missing until one hit the stumps.

Thomas batted solidly, scoring 19, which for a man of his calibre I would imagine would be a bit of a disappointment. However, a number of players managed to get into double figures. In the end our scorecard looked very respectable. As we neared the end it was unclear whether we would scrap home, or not. Luckily we've got an Aussie batting at the bottom who can come in and wallop a couple of dingoes we you need them! Anth put the game beyond Parsons' reach with, ohhh, a delivery to spare.

Perhaps I've been a bit unduly harsh in my report - it was actually a very good team performance, and it is increasingly becoming a team performance, which makes it so enjoyable playing for HOBs. Good work boys, we made a team who could have been a threat, sweat. And we beat them.