A classic Sunday story.....

And we hadn't even batted once yet.

Cublington’s band of merry men assembled at Whitchurch’s ground eagerly anticipating a local derby. And there we waited. And waited. And waited. Eventually The Pelican was despatched to the local pub to see if he could find any cricketers hanging around who could enlighten us as to the whereabouts of the team.

We eventually established that due to an ‘administrative error’ the Cublington website had the game as an away fixture when it was actually supposed to be at The Orchard Ground. A quick turn around and a convoy of cars heading back to Cublington and we were finally reunited with the Whitchurch boys. The only problem remaining was the issue of teas – stand in skipper for the day, Captain Loverocket, called Isha restaurant in Wing to see if they would rustle up a curry for 22 players but unfortunately they were closed. Mrs Middleton and Ollie Fairhurst were instead despatched to Tesco to buy sandwiches, cakes and crisps.

We had a an unprepared pitch that hadn’t been covered overnight so winning the toss and fielding was the objective of the day, so the coin was flipped and…….we lost the toss. Amazingly John the Whitchurch skipper decided to bat so happy days.

With the game finally underway the Howitzer was despatched for 4 on the first ball of the innings. Second ball a wicket. Third ball a 4. Fourth ball a wicket. Fairly soon Whitchurch were 5 wickets down for not a lot of runs with contributions from Howitzer, Clarke & Sparke (I’m a poet in case you didn’t know it). Changes of bowlers followed to try and make a game of it but Whitchurch were all out for 83 with additional wickets from Middleton Jnr, Taylor Jnr, Panther Snr & Knights Jnr. All of this with only 20 overs from 35.

Captain Loverocket decided to respectfully ask Whitchurch if they would like to bat again, to which they gladly accepted – Cublington CC’s first ever enforcement of a follow on?

Whitchurch batted again in reverse order for the last 15 overs and had a good old swing with the bat (not to mention 6 dropped catches by Cubs) to finish on 163 for 16 (best of British putting that on the website Brigadier Gadsby)

Our Tesco tea was quickly demolished and Cublington’s batsmen strode out to attempt to reach the target and be back in the pub sharpish. Borch fell early, Howitzer and Panther Jnr put on a few then a mini collapse saw the loss of those two plus Sparke Snr and Taylor Jnr. A small revival partnership with Taylor Snr and Loverocket ensued, then wickets fell again to see Cubs 131 for 11 with only 4 overs remaining – a sense of nervousness filled the air as the reverse order went back in and a couple of wickets fell, but a dashing display from the Pelican including his first ever 6 (a straight drive back over the bowlers head) got us closer to the target.

The scores drew level with one ball to go! Last ball, bowler steaming in, releases a quick one to which Middleton Jnr takes a wild swing at and………misses! The keeper fumbled, the batsmen sprinted and we were home with a bye winning the game.

Handshakes all round as the players left the arena and on to the pub for a couple of sharp ones.

Whitchurch are a great bunch of guys and we enjoyed some superb banter with them on and off the pitch, so much so we’re playing them again on the 25th.

Could it be a two test match series? Quite possibly

[Editor's note: I have no idea how to get these score on the website. Will have a word with the code breakers at Bletchley Park]