After last week's washout the 4s were keen to get back to playing. The skipper returned from the international break and it was immediate normal service resumed as we lost the toss and were fielding first on a very hot day.

Youngsters Luca and Corbyn shared the new ball and found a lot of movement. Luca bowled an excellent line, overcoming the challenging wind he was running into, but it was Corbyn who found the early wicket, pinning the batter in front of his stumps, 7-1 from 2.

Both Corbyn and Luca continued to plug away and beat the outside edge, but were replaced by Hursty and Nic Riches. Goldfinger immediately managed to find a testing line and lavish swing. At the other end Nic was finding things tricky running into the wind, but after being persuaded by the skipper to try another over, found the pads of the dangerous number 3 to collect our second wicket, 68-2.

Nic finished his spell and was replaced by the skipper, while Hursty continued plugging away. Despite both getting extreme movement, neither could find a breakthrough. Hursty (0-37) finished his fine spell and was replaced by Corbyn for a two-over dart as we needed a wicket.

An unfortunate injury to Luca brought Drew into the attack, but he struggled to defend the short boundary, as did the skipper. This brought St John into the attack, who did a very good (0-11) and probably should have been given more overs…

At the other end, our u13s Nic and Corbyn were excellent. With the batters looking to get on with things, both were able to cut reduce the boundaries. Nic finished with 1-38 from 8, excellent considering he bowled four overs into the wind and four overs near the death. Corbyn (1-51) as well combined his dangerous natural length with a fantastic yorker, and unleashed a brutal short ball that had the batter swaying out of the way. Great job from the pair, as Basingstoke finished 242-2.

After another bring-your-own teas, Matt and Stenners were sent out in pursuit of the target. Stenners was on a mission, and peppered the short boundary with an array of shots through the offside.

Matt (10) popped up a catch just as he'd got himself going, before St John (0) missed a straight one, 28-2. Netty joined Stenners who continued to play his shots, but he also offered catching practice to Basingstoke as he departed for a positive 34. Netty (10) continued battling but kicked a straight one soon after, as we slumped to 67-4.

Charlie and Drew were now batting together. Charlie was keen to show that we were still in the contest, and after digging-in for a bit, got off the mark hitting one over the top in his trademark fashion.

Charlie kept going, particularly peppering the boundaries down the ground, including a monster straight six. He was ably supported by Drew with some enthusiastic running, strike rotation and boundaries of his own.

Charlie brought up his maiden fifty with another boundary, much to the delight of his teammates, and continued going, including another huge six down the ground. Unfortunately Drew (25) couldn't quite stick with him, and joined the club offering catching practice.

Nic Riches (4) joined Charlie but was bowled after crunching a superb boundary through midwicket, and Corbyn (5) was also bowled the ball after finding the boundary, 155-5. Charlie was now joined by Hursty, who was keen to show-off his next bat, before kicking his first ball!

Charlie (71) unfortunately ran out of steam and was run-out, for a truly fantastic innings. Always nice to see a junior establish themselves in senior cricket. Hursty (1) walked in front of his stumps and kicked a straight one next ball, as we were dismissed for 185.

Another tough one, but once again with many heartening moments. We didn't field well enough in truth, but it's never easy going down to 10.

Huge thanks to Dibble for umpiring, and to Basingstoke's umpire Derek. It's hugely appreciated and helped what was a very pleasant game.

Player of the Match: Charlie Green - a superb 71 from 72. Congrats on your first senior fifty.

Muppet of the week: Charlie Green - for getting run-out, leaving his crease assuming the ball had gone for four. Pay attention young man!