Summer’s here at last. Pity it’s arrived just in time for the last game of the season, played under a blue sky and with the sun shining.
Away to Hillingdon Manor and having won the toss Ady, knowing our sometime’s batting frailties, bravely elected to bat. As it turned out it was very nearly an inspired decision as after Lawrence and Den fell fairly early with only 19 on the board followed by Phil P at 47, Bob and in particular Max, making a late, late, substitute appearance for Andy H, put the Hillingdon bowling to the sword with a stand of 109 in only 16 overs ,Max scoring 80, and with a ton and possibly the club record of 131 in his sights only falling to a farcical run out when backing up at the bowlers end he was run out by a quick thinking fielder as he sauntered back into his ground failing to get there in time. However his innings, with Bob taking the back seat during it, allowed Ady, Earle,Malcolm and Badders to throw the bat as the innings closing on 204 for 7 with Bob unbeaten on 70 not out.
In reply Hillingdon scored steadily but with Adrian taking the first of two fine catches off Richard (2 for 33) early on and Andy C ( 1 for 48), Max ( 2 for 27), Lawrence (1 for 36), Adrian (1 for 27) and particularly Den (3 for 33) all chipping in the 10th wicket fell with Hillingdon still a few runs short of the target. Unfortunately this was by agreement, and much to Badder’s (who was already celebrating) surprise, a 12 a side match so one wicket was still required and with 3 balls to go Hillingdon crept over the line to win by one wicket. Disappointing, but an excellent way to finish the 2011 season.