Just when playing the game was getting you down, along comes a match that reaffirms just why you’re turning out. A beautiful afternoon in a lovely setting against a team who approach the game like gentlemen and for enjoyment. In the end, the win was almost incidental although very welcome for all that.

Tim Winfield took the captain’s mantle for the match and the format was set. Both sides had 9 players so 24 overs each side, any retired players returning followed by fallen wickets in batting order. Bowlers to deliver three overs each so everyone got a turn – all very civilised!

Richard Noden opened the bowling for the Saddos with a typically pacy spell of three overs for only 8 runs.

At the opposite end Roger Barton gave the Scratchers skipper a further chance to demonstrate the sporting nature of the day. After the first two ‘short’ deliveries the batsman volunteered a ruling of a maximum of three wides per over – an option gratefully agreed by all concerned.

However, Barton then saw off both openers, the first a ball that scattered the stumps and the latter a dolly catch to Captain Winfield at mid-on.

The change of bowling saw Ian Holmes and Jonathon Hook brought into the attack both contributing two wickets with tight directed bowling. The story unfolding though related to the catches...

As someone joked, it didn’t matter where you hit the ball it would end up with Tim Winfield. Sure enough he was picking up catches off of Hook and Holmes and before long he had four catches in the innings and the threat of having to buy a round hanging over him for a fifth. Catch opportunity number five spooned up and back peddling, he held it once, twice but not quite thrice. Tim’s wallet breathed a sigh of relief.

Saddos debutant, Steve Robertson and Simon Wilson then took over the bowling. Robertson took a wicket with consistently controlled deliveries while Wilson took three wickets for only nine runs – his best of the season.

Included in this was the most amazing catch of the season from Steve Robertson, fielding at mid-wicket. Simon Wilson bowled a ball that was smacked hard and fast by the batsman to Robertson’s left. Stretching out his hand, he plucked the ball from air, the momentum of the shot spinning him in a circle but with the ball firmly held. It was difficult to know who was more surprised, the batsman or the fielder but the catch was sure to be the high point of the day.

As the batting rotated and the openers reappeared, the off spin of Peter Cook accounted for the Scratchers captain before their innings closed on 119 for 11 off their 24 overs.

Teas were provided by Scratchers and welcome they were. Then the SFDWP innings was opened by Noden and Robertson. Noden fell swinging at a straight delivery but Robertson compiled an excellent Man-of-the-Match innings of 30 retired including four superbly controlled boundaries.

Meanwhile, at the other end Jonathon Hook was playing a stylish innings, swatting the ball for five boundaries before eventually falling for 24 runs.

David Reed donned the batting gloves and contributed a quick fire 14 but fell to a full ball caught at mid-on.

Barton’s poor form with the bat continued but from the other end Tim Winfield was filling his boots on the bowling eventually retiring on 33 after hitting six boundaries. It could have been more if it hadn’t been for Winfield rightly being called for short running by umpire Ben Robertson who, with his opposite number, Jacob Winfield, had exercised marvellous control of the game with a knowledge unsurpassed by anyone in the SFDWP team.

Simon Wilson and Peter Cook continued the batting form with swift innings of 17 and 24 respectively. Wilson temporarily retired on 17 with three overs remaining to allow Ian Holmes to come in and fire three quick boundaries. With Holmes’ wicket, Wilson returned to the crease but he did not have the chance to add to his score as the innings closed on the fall of Peter Cook to a catch by substitute fielder, Richard Noden.

At the end of the innings SFDWP had a season high total of 181 for six off the 24 overs, ensuring the win. However, it was the manner of play from both sides afterwards that was the talk of the Pavillion. The Scratchers were a pleasure to play and the possibility of a return fixture on the 5th September will be warmly anticipated.

Special mentions as always to skipper Tim Winfield for his leadership and catches, man of the match Steve Robertson for that catch and the umpires for their superb control of the game.

Somehow the next evening match with Fishers is just not going to seem the same!!