The 4s arrived at the Lucy Pygott centre keen to build on the previous week's result. Another lost toss from the skipper had us in the field with Charlie Terry and Corbyn sharing the new ball.

Charlie immediately settled on his sixpence and kept things tight, though Corbyn found things a little trickier against the other opener, who punished any lapse in line to the short boundary. Charlie's tying down of one of the openers proved too much as he lofted a catch to James at mid off 20-1 off 5, though HW responded by playing their shots.

The skipper brought James and himself on to try and find the breakthrough, and swung one through the gate of no.3, 56-2. At the other end James was threatening the outside edge with turn and bounce, but struggled to stop the opener from finding the boundary, including one four bouncing over the hedge into the abyss beyond. He was replaced by new recruit Gisele, who immediately looked a handful bowling excellent areas.

It was now the skipper’s turn to face the opener's onslaught. With the original match ball having been located after an impressive 15 minute search from HW, umpire Safi decreed “wait to the end of the over”. The next delivery the spare ball sailed off into the distance, allowing the return of the original.

Speaking of a need for spare balls, I won't go into the details of this piece of fielding from Drew, but let the record show he saved four runs truly putting his body behind the ball. He then had to hobble in to bowl next over, as Gisele switched ends to give Drew the big legside boundary to defend. Unfortunately the boundary wasn't big enough to contain the opener, who led HW to 137-2 at drinks.

Following the break and Drew disappearing to check all was in order downstairs, HW kept coming at us. We did have a break in play for Greg to disappear and put his box in, somehow oblivious to this for the first 21 overs of the game, and not reminded while witnessing Drew's heroics on the boundary.

Drew was replaced by CT as we were desperate for a breakthrough but he also sailed over the fence. Gisele was excellent and kept plugging away at the other end and got the batter to edge one up to point, before trapping the next bat in front first ball, 193-4.

Corbyn and Merlot came back on, and Corbyn managed to get rid of the opener (121 off 87) who lofted one to James at deep cover, taking a superb catch looking into the sun, 207-5, before getting another 3 balls later. The ball ballooned off the edge hovering above the halo of St John at point. With the ball swirling around and leading him round in circles, bucket hands held on and impressively managed to avoid falling over, 212-6.

The boundaries kept coming as CT (1-43), Merlot (2-56), Gisele (2-38) and Corbyn (3-58) kept plugging away, not helped by a comical piece of fielding from Charlie Green, sliding into one at deep square and volleying it to cow corner. Corbyn picked up a third thanks to Aidy at midwicket, and Gisele took an excellent catch at long-on last ball, as HW amassed 282-8 from 40.

It was the return of bring your own teas, but spirits were lifted by Claire’s famous sausage rolls. They certainly seemed to lift Greg, who took 9 runs from the first over.

Our openers got us off to a strong start with Gregr finding the offside boundary at will with a range of cuts and drives. Aidy didn't want to be left behind and played a wonderful lofted drive for six to the nets at deep cover.

Aidy (11) kicked a straight one (56-1) to bring Gisele to the crease, who was keen to keep momentum going, and crunched the ball to the boundary with a couple of impressive sweeps.

Hartley then turned to their young spinner who immediately looked a handful. After being unlucky not to pick up a breakthrough in his first over, the spinner got Gisele feathering one to the keeper, then had St John walk past one first ball, 114-3. At this time Greg had brought up his 50 and showed no sign of letting up. Charlie (12) was caught off the spinner to bring up drinks, after a couple of impressive boundaries from Green Jnr himself, as we were well in the game at 146-4.

After the break Greg and Stenners came together and continued to keep the scoreboard ticking. Greg started to slow in the 90s, finding ways of getting off strike without scoring, through a combo of wides, byes and leg byes. The nerves proved too much for Stenners (28) as he chopped on!

Greg (101) did bring up his three figures to the delight of the crowd at LPC, a truly brilliant knock, but departed soon after, and CT (0) missed his first ball, as we collapsed 224-7.

We weren't done yet. James and Drew are both capable of batting in the top order themselves, and James in particular wasn't going down without a fight, peppering the straight boundary. At one point HW opted for long-off, long-on and a man in-between, but James still managed to find the gaps between them.

255-7 from 37, and 28 needed from the last three. James still seeing it nicely and supported by some enthusiastic running from Drew saw 8 scored from the first 5 balls. James (37) then once again took on the fielders and picked out long-off, 263-8.

Unfortunately this proved too much despite the best efforts of Drew (14*) and Corbyn (1), and we finished 270-9. A great effort to get so close, but we unfortunately paid the price for being a bit loose in the field.

A huge thanks to Safi for umpiring the whole game. Also a huge thanks to Phil, Stenners, Nick, Dave, David and Safi, and anyone I've missed for their efforts in arranging two Club XI games this week to help get everyone some cricket.

Player of the Match: Greg Pickett, a superb ton. Clearly keen to retain his club person of the year award, Greg rolled the LS pitch and helped make the teas for the game at LWC, ensuring he supported both Club XI games this week. Hero

Muppet of the week: Aidy Green. Declaring “I'll umpire, but I don't want to while Charlie bats”, to jinx Charlie into getting out next ball. ToAidys's credit he did then umpire the next 20 overs to the end of the game.