They say it is always at its darkest just before the dawn. 50 all out in less than 14 overs against Killgrew certainly felt like a very dark place. The game against the gentlemen of Park Street provided the "Maroon Marauders" (our potential 20/20 name?!!?) with a chance of redemption.

With 24 hours to spare match manager Jones had at his disposal a very strong starting 11. By Wednesday morning, the usual excuses connected to double booking and the withdrawal of marital pink slips had reduced the team to 9. Young Winfield was hastily dragged kicking and screaming from his revision to bolster numbers, and provide the team with some genuine pace.

Come match time 8 players had arrived to face the 8 of Park Street. The toss duly won, Captain Church decided that we would have a bat (well no-one had really batted the previous week - so a brave decision). Even braver as designated openers, Peel and Nightingale were the two players AWOL. Therefore, middle order stalwarts Wilson and Jones strode out to the middle, only 4 overs earlier in the inning than they had strode out to the middle the previous week as No.5 and No.6. Confident that with only 8 players fielding they could find the gaps, Wilson set about the opposition bowling. Boundaries flowed for the Brummie Basher as he reached 25 in quick order. In walked Captain Church for his first knock of the season. Jones, who had spent most of the opening partnership leaning on his bat at the none striker's end now had to face a ball. The ball was not great, the shot was even less good, the walk back to pavilion, long. Jones had made 7. Onto to crease marched Winfield the Elder. Captian Church may only have one shot, but he knows how to use it. The first straight drive over the bowler's head was a 4. The next, dropped in the deep for 2. Church was building a decent innings when the was caught and bowled off by an excellent diving catch for Roger. In walked The Lawnmower Man with his new shiny blade "Excalibur". Back walks Colin three balls later, without unduly troubling the scorer or Excalibur for 1.

Fresh from walking the dog arrived the Late Mr Peel at No.6. A beautiful innings of boundaries and sliced 2s followed. As The Late Mr Peel reached 20 he was bowled around the legs by a bowler who could best be described as new to cricket. Out walked Young Winfield to keep dad company. It was not clear to the casual observer whether Young Winfield's object was to score runs or run out dad. Old Winfield, realising that his time at the crease was likely to be short with Young Winfield around, did the decent thing, and retired not out for a very handsome 33. Unluckily for new man in Old Man Hollerton, Young Winfield's plans were not dashed, only delayed. Two balls later Young Winfield calls for a run that could best be described as a half run (if you sprinted), and Old Man Hollerton is run out without facing a ball.

Next man in is the Wolverhampton Express (and Star). The only man to leave the previous week's effort with his reputation enhanced. Curtis had requisitioned Captain Church's blade "Thumper" and straight from the off he channels Church's one shot policy with a couple of lusty drives past the bowler. Swinging and missing he is stumped. Taking one for the team as the overs diminish.

Young Winfield is next man out with only 7 balls of the innings remaining. In walks the Even Later Mr Nightingale. Good death bowling still gives the team a very respectable 138 for 7. Yes, 88 more than the previous week for the loss of 3 less wickets.

The team form a huddle for an anticipated inspirational Church prep talk. "Er, lets get them out, Junior Winfield you open" is his Gettysburg address.

Young Winfield bowls with pace and venom and knocks over the first wicket in his 2 over spell (1 for 6). Colin bowls well and helps keep the openers pinned back. The fielders in the deep, Simon and Old Man Hollerton make some impressive stops saving certain 4s. Winfield the Elder comes on at first change and bowls his usual tight line, while Young Winfield may have suggested that figures of 0 for 9 of 2 are "rubbish", at this club they are respected. Hollerton then comes on and bowls 2 oddly wicketless overs. General Church then decides that the light has diminished to such an extent that his spin bowling will be effective, and so it was two clean bowled wickets for 9 runs put the opposition under pressure. Unfortunately at this level, the glory of wickets falling is usually followed by the entry into the arena of people who are actually good batsman. Curtis and the unfortunate Wilson have the dread duty of bowling to these people, who knock off 6s and 4s until they retire. Nightingale is also part of this unfortunate company but claims two really good wickets, again both clean bowled.

So with 4 overs remaining Park Street need about a run a ball. Through the gloom that is dusk Captain Church turns to Jones. Jones' first over is flat spin with 6 singles off it. Winfield the Elder suggest more flight off the second over, and it transpires that a red ball against a near black sky can be hard to pick out. Two wickets fall to clean bowling. The umpire christens Jones "Leggy", Jones cannot decide if that is a heightist joke or not. Last over, 6 needed. Church momentarily contemplates giving Young Winfield the last over before health and safety considerations cause a change of mind. The task of bowling the death over falls to the safe hands of our very own Young MCC Player, Old Man Hollerton (he played with WG Grace you know). John keeps it tight but Church misses a red ball in the gloom and a 4 goes through his legs. A single off the third ball gives the Gentlemen of Park Street a victory by 2 wickets with 3 balls to spare.