The day started well with Captain Gregory there on time and successfully winning the toss and electing to bat on a pitch that could compare with the pitch of the abandoned test of Sabina Park in 1998. Undeterred by the threat of the pitch, Smith and Twist opening the batting at there usual brisk rate and had brought up their 50 partnership before the pitch struck. Smith received a real worm burner to see him bowled for 26, Captain Gregory was next in and played some dyer shots before he was caught behind cheaply. Clark then joined Twist and both batted positively punishing the gaps in the field, Twist brought up his third consecutive 50 with yet another dashing offside drive, and the 50 partnership was soon up. Clark fell soon after for 24 and Limpley Stoke then suffered a worrying collapse, Richards S, Richards A (First Ball), Owen and Bush (First Ball) all fell quickly whilst Twist still bludgeoned the attack from the other end. Twist was eventually out for 85 having marshalled the score on 165-8, and with Wilson falling soon after Limpley Stoke were in danger of posting a mediocre score. However Tyrie and especially Underdown batted intelligently and saw out the remaining overs before Tyrie fell in the final over after a last wicket stand of 40, Underdown remained unbeaten on 29, another excellent knock, and Limpley Stoke finished on 215 all out.

After the excitement of the final wicket stand tea was taken, and what a tea it was, Bush and Twist had constructed an absolute feast with a mix excellent fresh produce and fine culinary skills, not a bad word was said. A bench mark has been set for the future.

Corsley's innings started with an excellent display by both opening bowlers, Tyrie and Owen rolled back the years using all their guile and wily skills to restrict Corsley to just 22 of the 16 overs, both bowlers took a wicket and Tyrie's 8 overs bled just 8 runs. Bush and Twist took over and bowled accurately and again took a wicket a piece with Corsley's batting all at sea, so there was no better time for Gregory to introduce himself on a fast deteriorating pitch. Gregory's spell, with his audacious rip on the ball, was likened by many in the crowd to an ageing Bishen Bedi in his final tour of Australia in 1977/78, Gregory finished with 3 wickets from an excellent 5 over spell. Smith took the final wicket with Corsley all out for a poultry 66, Richards S took 3 good catches and Gregory motivated his field well in a another excellent display of fielding from the team.

Limpley Stoke were victorious by a 149 run margin as this see-saw season not tips the scales at 3 wins and 2 losses from 5 games. Man of the Match was Twist, Kit Boy was Alex Richards for his golden duck, Tim Bush avoiding the honour of kit boy by virtue of a lower batting position and tea of the season elect by Bush and Twist. Next match see Limpley Stoke's first away match at Erlestoke, I look forward to seeing you all there.

Nick Twist