Thanks to Thameslink I was late and missed the toss but presumably we won and Commander Bond, gallantly stepping in as Captain, chose to field first knowing how good we are at chasing. So with the setting sun making any catches on the east side of the field near impossible we, 10 men took position, Wilsers having also been underserved by Thameslink.

Marcos set the scene, demonstrating to the visiting team the temperamental nature of the home wicket, by sending down a ball that bounced wildly and nearly took the batsmen head off. WG came in next and by the end of the 4th over, the first wicket had been taken via LBW with 18 runs on the board.

Next up Nighters and Coops taking a wicket each over their 4 overs taking opposition score to 53 for 3 followed by Chris C and Matt with no wickets taken. CRS managed to avoid a repeat of Tuesday's study in how to bowl wide conceding only 4 runs. 10th over score was 66-3. The Wilsonator, now arrived, then enjoyed a stellar 2nd over taking 4 wickets (!) supported by some able fielding, 1 wicket to 4 catches, 3 of those ducks! Quack. Special mention to Rich & Nighters for making most of those catches and Busted who scored a hattrick of finding ball in nettles. CRS failed to catch any, whilst muttering about the sun, and was even seen cheering a ball as it rolled over the boundary, much to the confusion of umpire, The Fonz, who assumed a 6 had been called. He was rocking that jacket tho. Busted and Dippers took the final 4 overs, Jan bossing it to the final batsmen whose opening shot came at his head. A single and final wicket taken.

As explained by WG to CRS out on the boundary, no more wickets would now be a strategic move by the Sads to avoid the retired batsmen coming back on. Aha! Great thinking. This theory was then reinforced by Jan, deliberately foiling an easy catch for Rich P by a daring sprint down the wicket after his bowl, loudly stating his claim, neither securing the ball. No worries Jan - I got it! So the opposition finished their innings 132 - 8.

After some confusion about who was scoring, and some decidedly English interpretation of bowlers names, the Sads started their innings, the sweet taste of victory still fresh from Tuesdays chase. Busted and Wilsers took the crease. A steady 4 overs in with Busted out for 6 saw the Sads on 20-1.

The Wilsers and Dippers partnerships saw an impressive first 6 of the inning from Jan, who had the highest score of the night. Overs 9 and 10 saw a quick succession of wickets fall including Wilsers finally, after clocking up 15 runs, one of the best of the night, caught by the bowler. At end of 10th over score was 67-5, so a bit behind. Thankfully that bowler was done and was followed by some bowlers that excelled even CRS's mastery of the wide ball. The 'Pie-Man' in particular confounding with multiple wides but unfortunately multiple wickets, removing Nighters with a straight bowl and setting up a boundary catch for Coops (that could so easily have been much needed 6)

In the final quarter it was not looking so great for the Sads, but then we rolled out the secret weapon. Saving the best for last, Marcos strode out to the crease, still glowing from Tuesday's grand finale. A series of 6's and 4's suddenly brought the score level and the Sads were in with a chance. Final over, and 1 run needed. Certain victory was ours. But we'd neglected to tell Marcos about this, who valiantly kept swinging at pies for that saving 6, which alas never came. So we went from sublime to ridiculous in one ball, snatching a tie from the jaws of victory (does that work?).

Final score was 132-8.

Special mention should go to the opposition without whose contribution of 35 runs in wides and byes, it may not have been so close.