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So here it was, one of the rare away fixtures for the Sunday mob, hosts Godalming (Aka middle of nowhere) winning the toss and quite predictably batting first on a green wicket with a very short boundary.

Skipper Mike Cleal Opened up on the drain end (Yes there was a drain cover exactly where the bowlers were running up!) and generated a lot of away swing with the new ball, possibly not intended but we’ll never know. There were a couple of shouts in the 6 over spell but it consisted of the usual deliveries and no wickets were to be had from the experienced openers for Godalming.

Wyo Junior, also known as Alex Wyatt came from the other end and couldn’t find a rhythm with the new ball, he mentioned something to do with too much swing but I’m not sure. He was replaced after 2 overs by a fresh faced young man by the name of Darren Jordan. Coming off his pacey run up. Just as the skipper was generating a fair bit of swing, the experienced Jordan was getting nothing from the quickly degrading ball but bowled a reasonably good 8 overs taking a wicket in the process ending up with figures of 1-40

As Wyo gets tired quite quickly he was taken off and replaced by the pacey attack of Wally, who I now hear is booked in for a knee operation this September! One of the stand out bowling attacks of the big scoring Godalming innings was of our very own Ian Page, bowling for what he tells me was for the first time in over 4 years. It took him an over or two to get into it but once he did, little scoring was to be had off his off spin.Alex came back into the attack around the 30 over mark, the opening batsman had retired hurt on 112 and put a new pair in, Alex came steaming in and hit the stumps! Finally a break through. The next batsman (batsboy more like but fair play to the lad) came striding in and his very first ball he was walking back to the pavilion looking at his off stump on the ground, and here for the third time this year, a North Holmwood bowler was on a hat-trick, lighting couldn’t strike thrice could it? Next ball and wouldn’t you believe it Alex picked up his first ever hat-trick and the third one of the year for the lads at North Holmwood. Well bowled Alex, we won’t mention your first spell again!

The end of the innings brought Godalming’s total to 263 which was a fairly sizeable total wherever you go.

Tea was brilliant, Ice Lollys to start followed by pizza and sandwiches.

The batting was opened by the maestro Jordan and an ever persistent Alex Wyatt who in his quest to be the new club all rounder kept telling me a 50 was due and he needed a chance, so here it was. The chance didn’t last long, in the second over Alex didn’t move his feet and was bowled by Godalming’s opening bowler who I don’t think reached Joey’s knee on tiptoes. However it must be mentioned that he had one of the best appeals ever heard by myself and should be rewarded just for that. Dave Lines in a rare cameo appearance casually walked to the crease at number 3 playing a very cameo role as well hitting a few boundaries before getting out, it was a pleasure having you back though Dave we all look forward to next time, if not only for the fines fund. Joey was ever present at the crease and seemed to be in good touch quickly reaching 50 to an ever enthusiastic round of applause from the thousands of spectators present and he just seemed to keep scoring runs very quickly, well, that was until a certain Mr Guest came in to bat at least..

Guesty, (Obviously desperate for a few runs) called what Darren described; “An obvious single because he sounded so sure” and promptly run Joey out for a well played 65. Guesty and the rest of the batting line up seemed to come in and promptly go back out again, with only Wally (27) and Wyo (28) offering some resistance in the 32 overs that we managed. Although we recorded a rare heavy loss, the spirit of the lads and certainly the humour was never lost, and everyone got a game which is always a bonus. Thanks again guys and we’ll see you again after tour!