As we drove to Collingbourne Ducis through rain, at times heavy rain, it seemed improbable that cricket was about to be played. But it was, and in some fashion.

Our fearless leader, Ben H, took command almost immediately by winning the toss and electing to chase, on account of the outfield drying in time for our innings. Clever stuff.

CD were a motley crew, but the trained eyes of seasoned cricketers know better than to judge by form. Save that Marcus commented to one of them that he was a “lookylikey” - the words used - for Andy Farrell. This was met with silence, and would come to haunt him.

Batsmen one and two - the former tall, with something of the pirate about him; the latter broad, with muscled levers to match - were the danger men. But resolute opening spells of line and length from our in-form captain and some ace quicks from Henry Pannett kept them contained. Frustration inevitably broke out. Before you could say Andy Farrell, Ben had batter 1 caught at mid-on by yours truly.

The game was now on and Appleshaw began to grip proceedings in a way I am led to believe, as a newcomer to this noble side, has not always been true in the past. There were equally impeccable spells of line and length from T Graham and C Wheen. Batter no 2 tried to heave T Graham over the long off boundary. The ball seemed to hang in the warming air above the CD recreation ground for an age, before being snaffled in the safe hands of one Jules Pannett on the boundary. A fabulous take, completed by a victory roll (perhaps involuntary, but it didn’t matter). A further catch was held like super-glue, if memory serves me right by the always reliable Si Walker.

Further wickets fell to T Graham (2), C Wheen (2), our stalwart skipper (2). Jules P bowled some classy overs and was rewarded by a well-earnt wicket, and, following his father's suit, Henry P did just the same in a second probing spell. Ben then threw the ball to Hodgey, who hadn't bowled since an outing at Burton Court for the Coldstream Guards back in the mists of time, when he used to shave. Committing to the task, he rolled up the sleeves of his linen shirt (very Household Division). An elegant and accurate spell ensued, bringing him a deserved wicket. And the undersigned had an over, and took a wicket too.

Throughout Jack Horne kept a very tidy wicket.

CD men all out for 119.

We all enjoyed a terrific tea including a tray of dozens of doughnuts. A punchy call for those that couldn't resist. Great hospitality from our hosts.

Now came the chase. Marcus opened with Jules P at his side. And who should be opening for CD? Andy Farrell, who turned out to be CD's best bowler by a country mile. He eyed up Marcus. Perhaps it was the lookilikey comment, perhaps it was the doughnut he had just eaten, but he sent a blinder of a first ball down which crashed into Marcus's stumps. A Royal Quacker. (There was some talk of a Diamond, but the BBC tells me this is when a batter is dismissed without having faced a ball.)

Yours truly went out number 3 but was caught on 2, in a neat moment of symmetry by batter no 1. Jules was beginning to flourish but fell to a straight one. Oh dear. Was this the real Appleshaw? Slipping towards a defeat with a win so much on the cards?

It turned out it wasn't. Charlie Wheen came to the crease shortly followed by The Great Vincenzo. Before you could say Andy Farrell, CW had knocked a swashbuckling 44 runs before being dismissed. Supporting him was TGV with a cameo innings of 28 runs before being given out lbw (ahem...by me). That was the key partnership. Jack fell to a good ball for 4 and Si (10 not out) and Hodgey (15 not out) then took us to victory with some hard hitting. Hodgey danced up and down the wicket like a fencer, putting the bowler off his stride and pulling several shots to the boundary. A wonder to watch from the square leg umpire position.

Best batter and MOTM - C Wheen
Best bowler - H Pannett
Champagne moment - J Hodge's fencing, leading to the winning runs.

Appleshaw Cricket Club

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