Somewhere down a narrow country lane is a secret entrance to hidden cricket ground. The match manager realised that this could be a tough one to find so sent the team detailed maps to ensure that they could find it. What could go wrong? With the temperature nudging into the thirties and the clock nudging toward 6pm, four of the Saddos found themselves gazing onto a dry, fast and flat pitch. Once we had the normal starting number (6) we were fortunately able to bat. Diprose and Peel strode out to face a quick bowling partnership. They demonstrated flair and application, dominating the bowling. There were a couple of close moments for Peel where he strayed into LBW territory but he survived these. Diprose retired with the requisite 25 and in came Winfield to face a slow right-arm which he played across the line and was hit plumb in front of the stumps whereupon he was given out. He called for a review having claimed an edge but unfortunately hot-spot wasn't being used in this series and so the verdict stood.
In the meantime, Saddos were almost up to a full side. A few had toured the local cricket pitches including the Shenley Oval and Napsbury Park but had eventually found their way to the correct one. However, one was still missing. Church had just returned from Rotterdam although he realises in retrospect that he was supposed to be in Rotherham. Cue panic phone call:

Church: Where are you playing? I'm in Hemel...
Jones: Shenley
Church: No you're not. I've just been to Shenley
Jones: Yes we are
Church: Can you repeat that?
Jones: Here's the post-code...it's WD7...
Church: No good, I'm afraid. The sat nav takes at least 20 minutes to start up. It's ok - I'll find it...Henley you say...

Meanwhile, Evershed has come in and Peel retires having reached 25. Evershed can have a swing at anything except the one that is in-line with the stumps and this was his undoing. Nightingale to the rescue and he shows a fine domination of the bowling with a very speedy 20 before misjudging one which took his off peg. Williams had a tentative start but then cut loose as he was approaching his 25 with a massive six before being run out trying to force the pace.

At this point we celebrate the arrival of our intrepid explorer who has toured Hertfordshire (fortunately omitting Henley in his tour). He is told that his is due in but is unable to pad-up in time and so McKinnon makes his way to the crease - shortly joined by Church. McKinnon keeps the score board ticking over whilst Church looks strangely out of sorts. Maybe his head is in Henley and he lasts a short time before running himself out for 4. He is replaced by Jones who strides in, only to stride out shortly afterwards having been given LBW whilst playing his favourite pirouette shot. With overs running out, WG manages a quick single and the innings is over with McKinnon carrying his bat to a respectable 14 not out. There is a general feeling that a total of 134 on this fast pitch won't be anywhere near good enough.

Bowling to this low total was always going to be a problem but the Saddos started well enough with Winfield and WG keeping the runs down in the opening overs. Even better, there was an early breakthrough with WG taking a tricky c&b (although he isn't sure exactly what happened). After four overs Fishers were 17 for 1. Winfield carried on with a tight final over but WG got spanked in his last over. Diprose and Jones failed to stem the flow of runs before Church (now arrived in spirit as well as body) and Williams brought some order. Williams was particularly stung having had a wide and a 6 taken off his first over but fought back to limit the batsmen to a mere 3 off his second over.

With many wickets in hand, Fishers started to punish the bowling, giving McKinnon and Nightingale a torrid time. WG is, once again, the target of a full-blooded drive which he catches out of self-preservation. But what's this? It is Nightingale's turn to tempt the batsman into an uppish drive at WG. This time it is low and a man of his advancing years is unable to hold onto it.

Curtis bowled the widest wide that I have ever seen to start his over but the batsmen struggled with his bowling style until they eventually managed a 4 for the winning runs. Saddos retired to the bar to lick their wounds and swap stories of players past and present...

SFDWP 134 for 6 off 20 overs
SJFCC 137 for 2 off 18.5 overs