Under the shadow of the Box Tunnel Limpley were dynamite which is what they used during the construction of the Tunnel. Smith was in fine form wielding his bat as a construction worker would have done all those years ago when they built the Box Tunnel.

It was a dark day for Box similar to what it would be like if you stood in the middle of its tunnel, except on Brunel's birthday when so legend says a shaft of light passes through the tunnel.

Gunners made a strong debut at three, with Richards A and Bush making other useful contributions. But all the plaudits go to Smithy who passed his ton, which is the amount of gunpowder and candles that were used during the construction of the Box Tunnel per week. Limpley just fell short of 300 which is the amount of horses that were used during construction of the Tunnel.

Box never got close to the Limpley target despite batting for 33 long overs. The only talking point came in Twisty's seventh over when on a hatrick he fooled the batsmen into making a rash shot. The ball was sent to slip where Hannell was stood. Limpley were surely going to get their first hatrick since Wrighty's efforts back in 2000. Hannell got his navvies hands around the ball but didn't hold and another hatrick opportunity went begging.

Simon Richards