Many of the weekenders turned up early doors for a net at this very pretty ground just off the M25. Perhaps this was our greatest tactical error. In earlier times the greatest every strategic cricketing genius Steve Dunne used to comment  "practice is cheating". Another slant on this is that practice is horribly self-illuminating and does us no favours early doors.

Horton Kriby inserted and Coach in a wonderfully generous offer of collegiality put himself forward to take the gloves. Many of us were aghast as he stopped weekenders stock leg side deliveries. In fact it was terribly emotional and there wasn't a dry eye in the slips. Not that there were any as we were down to 9 because someone who promised to turn up on a motobike didn't. But one of the oppo who had not been selected felt a bit sorry for us and offered to nip home and get his whotes. More tears from the weekenders revealed their overwhelming feeling of gratitude and before long "bully" had donned the gloves to allow Coach a chance to put it on the spot.

In truth they went easy on us. Gentle sloggin, gentle tea and then a gentle field of 3 slips and two gulleys to let us get on with us. Weekenders replied with a  much less gentle collapse. 

 

Many were eager to ask resident statistician Hoggers with yet more tears in their eyes as to whether this was "the greatest loss ever". But the emotion had clearly go to the great man as he wasn't entirely sure. 

The boys rallied in the bar with typical elan and if we get invited back surely the club should start to work for the united nations peace corps. 

 

Still.  The sun was shining, the bar was open and no one said "it's in the bag lads". 

 

If you can bear to read on here are the stats.