On an overcast but hot and sticky day,Epsom Thoroughbreds ventured into tennis mad 20mph territory to do battle with our boundary rivals.
After fighting our way through hordes of kids shouting at their holiday camp cricket coaches, we found our a patch of outfield that had been set aside for our league match v Wimbledon Warriors( or whatever they call themselves.....other suggestions beginning with W, for political reasons, are not encouraged!

As in previous seasons, the ground had a very short ON side and rear boundary. We felt like we were in the middle of an industrial estate as the many contractors continued to dismantle all around us, the temporary corporate structure that were put up for the Wimbledon tournament.

Wimbledon batted first and our bowling was a little wayward down the leg side as we struggled to make sense of a pitch that had no markings and a home umpire who was making it up as he went along! Not always, (but usually!) to his side`s advantage.
A run out in the early overs started well for us but Wimbledon started to get into their stride and hit boundaries on a frequent basis. Some valiant attempted catches were made , including some blood being shed on the way ( good try John!).

Wimbledon put on 179 for 3 ( 1 run out, 1 catch and a run out by John keeping during Richard`s over.

Roger and Barret opened the batting with a solid performance, although they suffered with a number of very wide balls, as did many of us, that were gagging to hit for 4. Richard and Greg followed in good style, although Greg was hitting the ball too well and suffered a number of scores of 2 as the ball slammed into the boundary fence before being able to cross. You deserved more Greg !
John and Tim set about the Wimbledon bowling with some strong hitting and John in particular hit some classy ON drives into the hordes of noisy school kids just beyond the off side boundary but unfortunately failed to shut them up!
Boundaries were needed when Ian and Patrick entered the fray but a first ball Jaffa to the captain ( well, that`s my excuse) and a god awful ankle shooter to Patrick in their first over started to make the target a bit if a challenge. Some masterful hitting by Patrick nearly got us there but after skying a catch going for glory, 9 was needed off the last 2 balls for a win. Yours truly hit the first for 4 but the inconsiderate bowler pitched up the final ball but was clouted to the boundary but alas not in front of the wicket. Bugger!, beaten by a technicality! 177for 5

All in all a good performance by all in not the best of circumstances.
Thanks you David for scoring and to Paul and Eve ( Richard`s daughter) for the scoreboard and supporting.

Match report by Ian Hack
Title and tag by John Sands
Typed with two fingers very slowly trying to avoid my margins being too WIDE !!

and .....come on England !!!