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On a glorious late summer's afternoon at North Holmwood, skipper Mike Cleal on his last appearance with his team lost the toss and was asked to field. Opening duties went to Alex Wyatt with the slope and Ian Elliott against it. Both bowled very tightly and runs were at a premium on a surface that offered a little to the bowlers but as always very true. Only 24 runs were on the board when the skipper rung the changes, Daryl Goff replacing Wyatt and the skipper replacing the Chairman. Unusually the skipper didn't bowl any head high beamers on this his last Sunday outing and found a good line and length even though the ball followed him in the field, all good preparation for next weeks half marathon! Wickets were falling at regular intervals and despite bringing on Ian Page from the pavilion the runs were still hard to come by. Pagey got his reward for finding a good length whilst Dave Lines after a ropey first over started dropping the ball on a length, he too got a false shot caught at cover. Ollie Wall and Gavin Morrison had the last 8 overs of Shalford's innings and Ollie picked up a couple, clean bowled, whilst Gav found it a little harder up the slope! A good effort in the field restricting Shalford to 136.

Tea was plentiful, thanks Hon Sec.

In reply Darren Jordan and Daryl Goff opened and struggled against the swinging ball, Joey eventually succumbing to a return catch whilst picking up a few mementos' of the day in the rib area! Richard Cairnes strode to the wicket, bad back an all, and decided the only way was up so carved a quick 26 before being caught at deep backward point whilst aiming a long on. Not a bad effort the day after his 30th birthday celebrations, yes he's only 30!
Alex Wyatt struggled from ball one and frustration was his downfall for just 8. Big brother, still basking in the glory of his 100 runs for the season last weekend, swung at a straight one and just missed it, out for a duck clean bowled! The Chairman decided this day was to be the day the clearing of the pavilion had to be attempted and after scratching around early on got the ball he craved. Up it went and landed on the apex of the roof and trickled down in to the car park, a very contented man indeed! Ian Page had obviously been given a few new strokes for his birthday, also the day before, and played to cracking cover drives that all watching would have been proud to have executed. At his demise, caught for 16, it was left to Elliott (46*) and Dave Lines to see the side home to a 4 wicket victory, with overs to spare.

NORTH HOLMWOOD 140 for 6 BEAT SHALFORD 136 for 7