This was a new fixture and therefore neither side had any idea what to expect. So far as I could tell, the only connection was that Cudders had sunk a number of bottles of fine wine with one of their members on a recent tour to China which is as good a reason as any to arrange a cricket match.
On winning the toss, and with due regard to a swelteringly hot day, I elected to bat with our crack opening pair of Symondson and Fernandes. The plan went horribly wrong as Rob was bowled by the very first ball of the day, a ball of yorker length which I am reliably informed, swung in hugely.
The opening pair were quite a handful as one was quick and accurate whilst the other, of much gentler pace, was getting considerable late swing which defeated the defensive bats of both Edgar and John Cardy on a number of occasions.
None the less, Ed & John toughed it out and slowly got on top and began to play some fine shots all round the wicket putting on 107 together before Ed was surprisingly caught for 37. With the addition of only 1 run, John followed for 41 and so suddenly we had 2 new batsmen at the crease.
Poor Justin could hardly see, so badly was he suffering from Hay Fever and it was no surprise when he missed a straight one. This meant Alex McGuffie and I were at the wicket, both on nought, and struggling against some very accurate bowling. After a number of scoreless overs, however, we began to break free, aided by some good quick singles, until Alex in particular was playing with freedom and aggression in making an excellent 44 before edging one behind. We had put on 72 together and edged us towards a respectable total allowing us to declare 10 minutes earlier than usual with 196 on the board.
On the commencement of the opposition reply,Titters, whilst a little wayward in direction, produced 2 good balls, one caught behind by Alex, deputizing for Howard, and the other caught at Mid off by Mick Reeve. Matt Hallam bowled fast without much reward until an attempted cut found a thick edge which was held by me in the gulley.
At 25 for 3, the game looked ours but the numbers 4 & 5 dug in and then began to hit out and whilst at that stage we were not too worried, it slowly began to turn in their favour. Ian bowled a good spell without any luck, I bowled 6 overs from one end which produced a half chance and the score had moved to 161 for 5 before, switching ends, I bowled one of them for 69. I followed this with a second bowled a couple of overs later and Cudders effected a splendid run out on his friend from China which caused great amusement and this gave us just a glimpse of a win but excellent batting by the number 5 batsman, Darren Cohen (77*) who was also the opening bowler, took them home with an over to spare.
A rather disappointing way to lose our unbeaten record really but a thoroughly deserved win by Newlands & Northwood who had all times played the game in the right spirit.
A mention too for Alex who after batting well then kept wicket extremely efficiently.