Great venue, not so great performance

We all learned a bit from this match, with the possible exception of the Cambridge-educated Alec Howe who was, seemingly, mentally still on holiday in Africa.

In the beautiful surroundings of Ashridge House a Cublington CC Sunday XI containing six juniors won the toss, but was persuaded by the opposition skipper that it would be a better game if we batted first. With hindsight, a very odd suggestion. The seniors went out, and then came back again very quickly with Middleton, Howe and Farr falling to the very decent swing bowling of Wallis and APW caught off Lambert. 24 for 3 and an innings that looked doomed. The lower middle order managed to put together a few partnerships but were pegged back by Benbow's ripping leg spin on a proper spinner's wicket. Somehow we managed to limp to 95 with Extras the pick of the batting with 31. All of the juniors had a good look at some quality bowling and acquitted themselves well.

The early close to the Cublington innings saw us bowl eight overs before tea with Gadsby taking one wicket. After the break Farr picked up the tea-watchman which brought Masood to the crease, and the game's brown ale moment. On taking guard with a crooked bat the umpire said 'Can you straighten up please'. Masood straightened up... 'Not you, the bat.' said the umpire.

Penetrative spin from Farr and Ben P-W saw a clatter of wickets in the 50s, but we had at least 50 runs too few and Ashridge Coopers ran out comfortable winners. We will renew the fixture, we hope, but will be older and wiser next time.