A new look SFDWP team assembled for its much anticipated away game against the mighty Killgrew. At one point there were about 30 people in the crowd roaring the home side on. Fresh faces littered the Dads squad. New boy Peel appeared to have played with, or lived with, all of them at some point (we are a broad church) . Two, Giffin (an amiable leg spinner) and antipodean Harsha even claimed to be St Albans CCC players, a noticeable step up in quality that boded well for the future.

The weather could be best described as Chester-le-Street in May, slight rain huge swirling winds. Match manager Jones, fearing that a weather cancellation could lead to him having to do the kids bedtime rallied the troops and cajoled, encouraged and then ultimately bullied Killgrew into playing. A new 12/12 format was selected with everyone bowling 1 over and two bowling two. A mathematical conundrum that was bound to cause mathematically challenged team skipper Church difficulties later.

Having lost the toss skipper Church elected to put his team in the maelstrom (or field). Returning run machine Spencer, wrapped warmly in his black cagoule was sent out to deep cover, never to be heard of or seen again.

Jonno H opened the bowling with a very tight and accurate over, conceding only 5. Peel (or Neil as he appeared in the Killgrew score book - the wind did make effective communication a challenge) opened from the other end. Keeper Wilson vocal and tidy as usual. The batsman swung and missed, edging one to the boundary. Next in was Minchin, oddly facing a team he had not previously played for. A few short balls and a missed blocking opportunity lead to a rather expensive 18 but also saw the first wicket fall as Minchin trapped the big opener LBW.

Following a brief intervention by search and rescue Spencer was located and, following an few expletives and general complains about the cold, the rain and the fact he could not see a b****y thing he bowled his first over of the season. As usual the length was tight and the batsman restricted. Jones then bowled his usual consistent line. First one tight, second one short and 4, third one a bit quicker and into the batsman's chest. The batsman pulled hard straight into the safe hands of Hook. Taking inspiration from the young leg spinner skipper Church followed the same pattern, and having watched his fourth ball smashed over the boundary rope Church got one to not spin at all and bowled the opposition No.5. New boys Harasha and Kew showed some real quality bowling, which at this level rarely brings success, as they found out. Copper "Mr Consistent" then bowled an impressive over of speed and accuracy possibly claiming a wicket (the match score card leaving a lot to be desired). Following an excellent over by new leg spin king Giffin this meant that everyone not standing behind the stumps had bowled. Skipper Church was now out of his comfort zone. Spencer, a regular end game bowler was controversially ignored. In interviews afterward Church told the press that his decision was based on the fact that "I could not see him, so forgot he was there". Messers Copper and Hook finished off the last two overs well with Killgrew on 98 for 6 of 12, a respectable score.

Captian Magoo then selected his opening pair on the basis of the two people standing nearest to him at the time, so Cooper and Jones stroad out to bat. Well Cooper stroad, Jones hobbled slightly and kept mentioning the need to remember not to make suicidal singles. The Killgrew bowling was tight and the normally destructive Cooper was reduced to running singles. Jones, wearing a helmet, found the strong winds made hearing the South African run machine a challenge. This challenge turned into a disater when Cooper attempted a single even Church would have had second thoughts over. Having got about half way down Cooper changed his mind (not something Skipper Church would ever do) and then shouted NO. Jones ground to a halt, twisted his ankle again and retired hurt.

Peel, one of the teams few proper cricketers, walked out next with a real look of a man on a mission. One run later, having been caught in the deep, it became clear that his mission was to get out of the rain as quickly as possible.

Fireworks followed. While batsman were require to retire once they get to 15, Giffin (3 boundaries) in 22 and Church (4 boundaries) in 23 smashed the ragged Killgrew bowling around the now empty ground in a valiant attempt to push SFDWP close to the 98 target. Heroic last over slogging by Harsha and Kew proved just not enough at the the dads fell 8 short reaching an impressive 90 for 1 of 12.

As the dads trudged off Spencer was re-located still standing out at deep point, now thoroughly wet and showing early signs of hypothermia.

With real signs of quality creeping into the Dads team a emergency committee meeting was called in the pub to ensure that this was stamped out.