So, just five games of the season to go and the question everyone was asking is whether the Old Boys could keep up their T20 winning streak. As Usual, HOBs had all 11 men changed and ready to go but with no sign of the opposition a 6pm start looked unlikely. A couple of young chaps arrived in their school uniforms and proceeded to play football in the outfield, a couple more joined them and our worst fears were realised - they were the opposition! However they did have a couple of elder statesman amongst their ranks which probably brought the average age up to around 17. After Sunday's easy victory v Gremlins Captain Smith had already decided we would bat first should he win the toss, specially now we were playing an under 14 team - at least we could rack up some runs and hopefully more people could get a bat. Anyway, it mattered not as the toss was lost and we were stuck into field.

United Banks' two openers were their two slightly older players and after four 4 overs there was still no runs registered with the bat, mainly because Barrett was bowling so wide you'd need an orr to reach the ball! Jon Smith was keeping it tight at the other end and soon made the breakthrough when their number 2 hooked one high in the air and down the throat of Al Pearce at square leg.

Gone for 0 and now it was the turn of the kids. Jo didn't really know how to play this so decided he'd bring on a few different bowlers to try and make a game of it. Osmond and Pearce were the next to chuck some filth down and with the pace off the ball the batsman seemed more comfortable and the runs started to flow. Then the unexpected happened………….after rolling a few along the ground, then lobbing up a few moon balls, Pearcey finally got one right and the young United Banks batsman could only hole out to Adams at long on to claim his first wicket for the club.

By now their opener was into the groove and was joined in the middle by 'The Rudgleigh Raper'. SJ Smith and Adams both had their economy rates violated by him and with the run rate at over 8 an over it was up to Thomas and Davies to contain the pesky kids. Runs did start to dry up which meant the batsman were starting to take more and more risks, Davies picking up a couple of clean bowls with deliveries more accurate than William Tell's arrow. Thomas at the other end was trying to rough 'em up with some serious pace and was eventually rewarded with the wicket of 'The Rudgleigh Raper' who was caught behind for 43.

This brought in a young lad who was sporting a rather peculiar fluffy goatee beard. Personally, I think there is only one type of person that you can trust less - anyone that returns from a gap year with an accent (usually an Australian one). Wronguns, the lot of 'em. Anyway back to the cricket, he took a liking to Jon's bowling and managed to hit 14 from the last over taking United Banks' score to 139 for 6. At least we had something to chase Jo was heard muttering as we walked off the pitch.

Captain Smith decided he would open with Barry, Davies would bat three and Thomas four, citing there was no need do to the rest of the order at the moment as he'd either be out or the game would be won by the time batsman number five would be required. And how right he was - Smith caught for a first ball duck from a full toss delivery. Now I'm not quite sure if he was somehow hoping that a no-ball would be called but he looked almost sick with disbelief at what was happening - like a man who's just discovered his girlfriend playing strip poker with some Polish builders on his return from work. Not the start Henleaze were looking for but Steddie Eddie was next to the crease and the good house of HOB was rebuilt - until Davies chased a wide one and was caught behind for 18.

37 for 2 and it looked like we might have a game on our hands. Enter Will who would show no mercy on the young bowling attack and decided to give them a harsh cricketing lesson by given it some serious splatter. Five 4's and four 6's later and Will's raising his bat for well deserved 50 and with Barry at the other end batting like a man who has the confidence of Casanova at a fair maiden convention; a partnership of 101 was recorded in double quick time. 3 overs to go and just 2 required for the win, messages from the pavilion were passed to the middle as Barry was at the non strikers end stranded on 47. Will blocked an over to allow Barry a chance of hitting boundary to bring up his half century and win the match. No such luck though as he was caught and bowled. Next man in Mike Serjeant almost fell in the same manner two balls later but his shot had enough power to go through the bowler's fingers and to the boundary.

Game won, this time by 7 wickets and Thomas was rewarded with Man of The Match for his quick fire 57 not out.