Limpley Stoke arrived at Hinton on the first leg of a "double header" weekend of cricket. Captain Smith won the toss, elected to bowl and Limpley took to the field in glorious sunshine. The confident opening bowlers, Kendall and Norris soon had Hinton reeling at 18 for 3, but sadly that was as good as it got for Limpley. For batting at 5 for Hinton was Pretorius, their South African overseas player whose name is derived from "Praetorian", from the name "Praetorian Guard" the illustrious soldiers of the Imperial Order of the Roman Empire, circa 120 AD. The South African proceeded to dispatch Limpley's bowlers all round the ground on his way to a mammoth 157 not out, over 70% of Hinton's final total of 221 for 5, including three giant sixes in one Tom Hannell over. Kendall and Tyrie, who went for over 7.5 an over, ended with two wickets a piece and Norris picked up one, however poor Tom ended up with figures of 3 overs for 48 runs.

Limpley Stoke have chased totals of 200 plus successfully in the past and on hearing that Hinton's side fielded no first team bowlers the opening pair of Twist and Richards A strode to the crease with nothing but batting for victory in mind. The openers started positively and reached 38 runs without loss, Twist was then caught out for 29, the only score of note, and against a mediocre attack Limpley Stoke lost their 10 wickets for just 30 runs finishing 68 all out to lose buy 153 runs, a classic collapse rivaling the heady collapses of the mid to late nineties. Wilson, Norris and, to add salt to his wounds, Hannell all recorded ducks but kit boy went to Scott Hutchinson, who returned after a year long absence with a Golden Duck, after quaffing 4 cans of cider before batting.

All eyes now turned to Sunday to see if Limpley Stoke could bounce back to their winning ways against touring team St. Anne's All-stars. Also congratulations to Nick Gregory and his team in successfully holding off Scott Hutchinson's team in an aggressively contested game of "Spinie Heads" in the post match get together, although the Gregory camp was suspected of cheating.

Record breaking Limpley return to winning ways

With the memory of their crushing defeat at the hands of Hinton still fresh in the minds of Limpley Stoke; confidence was fragile against a potentially dangerous touring team from London, St Anne's All-stars, whose line up included former player Jim Jarrett. The news of a late withdrawal meant Limpley Stoke played with just 10 players, this did not stop them putting in a record breaking display. Skipper Smith once again one the toss and on a baking hot day elected to bat and chose himself to open the innings with Twist in the absence of Richards A, and what a decision that proved to be.

Twist needing just 42 runs to be the first player to reach the milestone of 2000 runs for the club did so by hitting the ball constantly in the air to the fielders only for them to drop him. Once that milestone passed Twist settled whilst the classy Smith carved the ball to all parts of the ground with ease. It was not until the score had moved on to 140, a record opening partnership for LSCC, that St. Anne's could celebrate their first wicket, Twist caught out for 61. With Twist gone Smith continued to plunder the bowling reaching his century in style by smashing a six and becoming only the fifth player for Limpley to score a century, supporting Smith was Gregory who ended up with yet another 30-odd, he finished on 34 not out. Smith eventually fell for 133, and Dan Ball, with 2 runs snatched kit boy in the last over from Kendall who managed just 6 runs before being caught by ex-Stoker Jim Jarrett. Limpley Stoke finished with the healthy target of 252 for 4.

After a substantial tea, with a record number of cheese and onion sandwiches on offer, it was St. Anne's turn to bat. Greeting the St. Anne's openers was an attacking field of three slips and a gully and some fired up bowlers. In the side for the first time this year was Ed Gay whose fiery opening spell was what we have come to expect from the talented youngster. From his eight overs he returned just one wicket but was very economical conceding just 15 runs. Norris was a little more expensive from the other end as St Anne's openers started positively, but Norris fought back and ended with two wickets removing their danger man Morris for 52 who was sharply caught at point by Tyrie, how many times have we heard that combination before? Kendall and Tyrie both bowled well and made the most of the good conditions to threefa and twofa respectively. St. Anne's struggled to chase the large total as wickets fell regularly and they failed to establish any partnerships of worth. They ended up 140 all out with Gregory chipping in with late two wickets at the end, one involving an expert stumping from Ball who battled courageously behind the stumps on a swinging and seaming pitch.

A return to winning ways with a 112 run win and good performances all round, Smith with his 133 was named man of the match, Ball was kit boy for the second time this season in only his second match, and tea was made by Norris and Twist.

Nick Twist