Twas a grim evening when HOBs assembled at the spacious Shirehampton Oval for this crucial friendly fixture against MCC (no, not that one). However, Dave wasn't playing so we were confident that the chances of the game being rained off were reduced by at least 80%. This reporters memory is not quite as it was, what with the copious amount of Thatchers consumed since and the not submitting his report until a month after the game ended but I seem to recall that Captain Adams lost the toss and MCC chose to bat.

The wicket turned out to be 'Competitive' (cricket dictionary definition: term used by moaning/crap batsmen to describe any strip they get out on) and the HOBs opening bowling attack of Barrett (2-13) and Adams (2-12) was extremely accurate and stingy. Each took 2 wickets to very quickly reduce our illustrious opponents to very little for 4. Collins (0-27) making his first appearance of the season (I think) relieved Barrett at the Scorebox end (ooh Matron) and proceeded to bowl well but without much luck, while Loughran (0-10) held up an end/bored everyone to tears with his slow left arm rubbish. MCC continued to play expansive shots, which weren't really suited to a fairly lively and inconsistant track. However, they did a fairly decent job of rebuilding before getting into some run out trouble. The key moment coming when a superb bit of fielding by Harris ran out the opener Fraser who had been anchoring the innings, with his dismissal went any chance of MCC achieving the psycologically crucial 3 figures. Thomas (0-6) making a welcome return to the HOBs fold, continued the tight bowling with Ashford (0-11) and as MCC became more frustrated with their failure to get on top of the slow bowling they started to take more risks. In the midst of this Loughran apparently ran out Roberts, an incident of which he has no memory whatsoever. However, he does remember very clearly (selecitve memory being very important in a cricketer) a direct hit run out off the second to last ball which was 'mighty close' (ie out) but unfortunately the umpire was not in a position to judge it, shocked no doubt by Loughran actually managing to project the ball in the direction he intended. This would prove an important incident though. Ashford bowled an excellent last over to restrict an MCC innings which never quite managed to get going, to a very chaseable 84 for 6.

After a quick break for obligatory fag/phone call to the bookies/argument over who had to go and umpire, the HOBs openers strode to the middle in fading light to resume battle. Sage (0), making his first appearance in 3 years was unlucky that his full blooded drive off the second ball went straight to point, who snuffled it. It has to be said that MCC catching was first class and was no doubt improved by the very generous practice which the HOBs top order gave them. Fillingham (0) and Harris (1) also falling into the same trap as many batsmen in the match by playing expansive drives on a jumping track and spooning up catches to the cover fielders. HOBs in trouble early then at less than 10 for 3. There was a brief rebuild from Barrett (4) and Collins (6) but just as stability had appeared restored and Captain Adams had stopped pacing up and down in a concerned manner, Roberts removed them both in quick success (excellent figures of 4-17 following up his handy 23). HOBs in trouble again at 5 down for less than 25, Adams concerned pacing resumed. However, it was at this point that Barry (16) joined Thomas (22) and their steady partnership started eaking HOBs towards the winning post. However, with about 30 runs required disaster struck when Barry was superbly run out trying to push a second. Then Thomas went very quickly after. Suddenly the result was in the balance again, as new batsmen had little time to acclimitise to the fading light and tricky track. Ashford (17) batted superbly with another excellent display of finishing, unfortunately he couldn't quite bring home the bacon this time and was out bowled by the off spinner Williams (who, according to his shirt, had come up from Torquay especially for the occasion) with one over to go. Loughran (4) came out to join Captain Adams (5) and they managed to scramble a few singles. With 4 needed off the last 3 balls, Loughran hit a hard (ish) drive to Mid-off, which was misfielded and ignoring the famous warning the batsmen attempted to run 2 off it, a direct hit left Adams stranded. Out strode Davies, cunningly positioned at 11 by Adams for precisely this eventuality. 2 balls left, 3 needed to win. Loughran again hit the ball hard, but his complete inability to ever find 'the gap' was HOBs downfall again as he hit the ball straight at mid-on and they could only manage a single. So, the stage was set, 1 ball remaining 2 needed to win, HOBs Champion Batsman facing the tricky Williams. Crowd hushed (well the teenagers snogging on the bench at the far end had left), tension palpable (though that may just have been a concern to get the game over before the bar shut), in came Williams and looped one up outside off stump. Davies took an almighty swing that would have dispatched the ball onto the Portway but only connected with fresh air. The keeper took it cleanly to cheers from a jubilant MCC. Loughran and Davies trudged off dissapointed.

There's always next time, maybe umpires will get in position next time, maybe the HOBs top order will fire, maybe we'll finally discover what MCC actually stands for in this instance, anything and everything is possible. 1 run defeat but in many ways cricket was the winner once again.