A hard fought win

Cubs won the toss and elected to bat. As the Hollybush XI took the field Prof Middleton was heard to remark "That's the first time I've ever played cricket and not been the fattest bloke on the field." Quite so.

Callum and Ryan opened for the Cubs, and for a bloke who hit four 4s in a row Calum's was the scratchiest 72 that the celebrated Cublington Oval has ever seen. Still, at nearly a run a ball we'll take it. Ryan batted well for his 16 until he popped one up to the bowler. The Prof came and went. The Howitzer turned more slowly than the QEII and was run out. The skipper slapped 30 and was also responsible for a full blooded bludgeon that burst through the bowler's hands and hit him hard on the cheekbone. Some tense moments and a lot of claret on the wicket but Chris Hope returned from a trip to Stoke Mandeville (thanks Carol) with his Action Man scar glued and was able to bat at the end of his team's innings. Just as well as he was due to interview Boris Johnson the following day. The Wazir, KGS and Gloveman Bullock kept the scoreboard ticking over assisted by Cameron with a few excellent nine-iron shots over the top, but 206 felt about 20 runs light.

The Hollybush batsmen set off at a gallop and were 114 for two after 17 overs and coasting towards an easy win. It should be pointed out that the Kit Gordon-Stuart who opened with something he called 'seam' bowling is no relation to the Kit Gordon-Stuart who bowled excellent leg spin when he was 13 years old. Time for the seniors to step up to the plate. Calum removed the dangerous looking Ashcroft, then tight bowling from the old blokes, Gadsby, Farr and Prof Middleton pegged the oppo back. 19 overs went for 49 runs and strangled the opposition batting. de Klerk was unbeaten on 43, but took 31 overs to get those runs. The innings closed on 180 for six giving the Cubs a 26 run win. Our thanks to the Hollybush for a great game played in a excellent spirit.