It was our annual fixture over the bridge to play Chepstow, and the omens were not good after our bad defeat on Thursday when we only add 6 people available for the game but with some desperate pleading and asking potential HOBs debutants, we managed to get 11 on the field. Thanks to Anth in finding Alex Baldey.

The skipper was looking to put Thursday's shambles behind us and move on with the emphasis on doing the basics right especially to bat well. We won the toss and elected to bat first and do what were good at - defending totals.

After a steady start off some very good swing bowling from two of Chepstow's youngsters, the run rate quickened with Jon Smiths arrival at the crease. After some typical Smith shots, disaster occurred, our form batsman pulls up in agony and has to retire as he limps off the field with his calf in pain knowing that he is out of the rest of the game. Captain Adams promoted himself to 4 to try and resolve the recent middle order problems and some steady rebuilding took place with Barry in a partnership of about 60 with Adams rediscovering his legside shots in acquiring his highest score for about 4 years before playing a stupid shot trying to up the run rate.

Runs were hard to come back by against a youthful and energetic attack, and steady runs were accumulated in making 207 for 8 off 40 overs. A further mention to Barry in making another half century (66) for HOBs with a reverse hit behind square to bring up the landmark.

With a depleted bowling line up, Adams and Davies had to come up with a plan and some early wickets pegged the home side back. Barratt caught & bowled one opener above his head and Fillingham got a stumping standing up to Adams. Adams bowled himself out with figures of 3-30 and the home side were struggling. Game on!!.

After some steady bowling from Osmond (0-37) and Sam Lambshead (2.-39), backed up with some great ground fielding, Chepstow consolidated their innings. Their No 3 Habitat held them together despite being dropped 3 times and made a 50 but then suffered cramp which restricted his running. After this he holed out to Long on to Adams. Another great Serjeant catch in the deep falling backwards got another break through. The run rate had now escalated and Davies, Baldey and Barratt restricted the chasing team to 193. Also, a special mention to Jon Smiths vocal support from the boundary edge and a great bit of fielding from the bearded Chepstow lad who brilliantly ran out his team mate.

A great team performance in a very enjoyable game, where every one contributed with the bat, ball and in the field resulting in HOBs being back on the winning trail.