Scratchers again, or as it should now be known, the Tim Winfield Challenge Match. With great hopes that the game would be as enjoyable as the last time both sides arrived at Rothamsted Park for the return fixture.
For September, the weather was remarkably good - cloudy & breezy but with enough sunshine to make the day perfect for cricket. Captain Peter Church consulted the Scratchers skipper and it was agreed that the SFDWP would field first as we had a full contingent ready to go.

Andrew Robertson opened the bowling off his extended run up. Running in off 18 paces Andrew delivered a confident opening spell and the Scratchers number two eventually holed out to a catch at square by Tim Winfield. Surely this was a feeling of deja-vu for Winfield following his four-catch haul last match.

From the opposite end Phil Spencer was firing the ball down causing the batsmen all sorts of problems and not allowing them any space to play shots.

First change of bowling was to Richard Noden who went with off spin rather than his usual medium pacers. The bowling was tight and the batsmen were only able to pick off occasional runs.

Mike Wallis took over from Phil Spencer but the batsmen were proving more durable than the last match and beginning to build a total. Over to Winfield to break the deadlock, this time with a throw from the outfield.

The Scratchers Captain flicked the ball away and Winfield ran in, collected and threw to wicket keeper, Simon Wilson, who had to stand a couple of paces back from the stumps to catch the throw. Wilson collected and a slow motion race with the batsman commenced. There was only one winner though and both the batsman's resistance and the partnership were broken.

Nick Button made a welcome return to the Saddos bowling attack clean bowling the next batsman with a swift yorker delivery.

Tim Winfield then took the first of his two wickets skittling the stumps of the Scratchers number four.

Roger Barton and Ian Holmes took over the bowling, Barton again being grateful for the three wides rule (and the comments from the deep!) but another partnership was beginning to be forged. In particular, the Scratchers number three was playing some good shots and the total continued to grow.

For his own sake Ian Holmes needs to remember that a cricket ball is harder than a football! Having taken a mighty smack on the ankle from a crisply hit shot that meant he needed to field at slip to recover, he then proceeded to repeat the trick off an edged delivery no more than a few overs later. To later return to the bowling showed real devotion to the cause.

Peter Cook took over with off spin and caused problems for the batsmen with every ball. After an lbw decision was rejected by umpire Jacob Winfield, Cook followed up next ball with a low full toss at middle stump and a loud appeal for lbw again. This time the umpire's finger was raised but not without controversy and the easy going nature of the first game suddenly developed more of an edge in the second.

Meanwhile the Scratchers number 7 batsman was striking the ball hard, hitting a number of boundaries followed by the first six seen by the Saddos all season. After a couple more boundaries Captain Church saw him off clean bowled and the run rate reduced again.

The last Scratchers wicket fell to Tim Winfield with a fine ball that was well taken by Peter Church at mid-wicket.

The opposition had posted a highly respectable score of 146 for 7 off their 32 overs and there was some trepidation over tea as the prospect of nearly five per over looked an awkward total.

Peter Church and Mike Wallis opened the batting for the Saddos. After the first over generated 13 runs, the bowling became tighter and the significant bounce off the variable pitch meant that it was proving hard to get the ball away. That said, Captain Church was demonstrating superb control even to the point of dominating the strike and restricting Wallis' run rate.

Both batsman looked solid and it was going to take a mistake to end the partnership. Unfortunately this came in the form of an ill judged run. Quick fielding saw the bails removed and Mike Wallis returned to the sidelines for 11 runs.

Phil Spencer came to the crease and, after playing himself in, hit a number of bludgeoning boundaries to increase the run rate including an immense four to deep extra cover.

Peter Church's innings was also to fall to a run out. A mix up call gave the fielders plenty of time to retrieve the ball and he was back in the pavilion with a fine innings of 22 to his name.

Simon Wilson joined the batting and was soon playing some fine leg side shots, particularly a scooped pull shot that had the SFDWP support applauding as soon as it left the bat. Wilson was eventually to retire not out having scored 30 runs including three boundaries.

Phil Spencer's dismissal unfortunately had a comic side inflicted by the Saddos themselves. Having reached 31 not out he was advised the by scorers of his need to retire undefeated at the end of the over. With one ball remaining confusion reigned and he started to walk, only to be called back. His concentration surely broken he received a fine delivery that scattered the stumps and his statistic took an undeserved downturn.

Tim Winfield joined the battle and played a masterful innings that along with his bowling and fielding justifiably earned him the man-of-the-match award. His undefeated innings of 32 included five superb fours.

Peter Cook and Ian Holmes replaced the retiring batsmen, Cook scoring the winning runs with a boundary to mid-on and confirming the 7 wicket victory after only 26 overs.

Yet again it had been another thoroughly enjoyable afternoon. All credit to Scratchers for both the manner and spirit of their play and yet again they demonstrated that being competitive doesn't mean that you have to forget that it should be fun. Thanks also for the excellent teas which kept everyone more than happy despite the late afternoon chill.

Special mentions as always go to the SFDWP Skipper Peter Church for a well organised display as well as his own individual contribution. The all round performance of man-of-the-match Tim Winfield obviously wins plaudits but Simon Wilson deserves praise again for his performance behind the stumps.

Finally, the quote of the day (despite some competition!!!) has to rest with umpire Jacob Winfield who showed excellent knowledge of the game throughout. His cry of "Second Umpire, do you know what a Bye is?" will live in the memory for some time!