The 4s returned to Long Sutton to host Basingstoke 5th XI. Huge thanks to Paul, David and Cults for cleaning up the unidentified residue that had been left on the square early in the morning. Big thanks to CT and Netty too who were on tea rota.

The skipper lost the toss (again) and we were bowling first, with Corbyn and Paul sharing the new ball. Both started brilliantly with excellent lines and plenty of movement causing all sorts of problems for the opening bats, and we had a couple of early chances, with some near-misses of the edges, and a brilliant acrobatic effort by Noah Horne on debut running around at square leg.

Corbyn was first to strike. After bowling a nagging line outside off to the opener, he snuck one through his defences and found his off stump. Paul was keen not to be shown up and struck the number three in front next over, Basingstoke 17-2 from 5.

Corbyn finished his excellent spell and was replaced by CT, who continued from where he left off last week. CT nearly had one in his opening over, as the batter popped one up just short of the diving James at mid-on.

Paul was replaced by Charlie Green, Basingstoke 38-2 from 12, as we looked to capitalise on the early pressure. CT was dotting things up at one end, while CG was looking like taking wickets most balls from the other end. At one stage the skipper opted for a slip, a fly-gully, and a third man in-between the two, but unfortunately the edges landed between them!

Basingstoke reached a solid 71-2 at drinks, with the skipper looking to change things up. CT was replaced by Corbyn, given a two over dart back up the hill to find a wicket, while CG was replaced by debutant Noah down the hill, and he had the ball turning from ball one.

Only three runs were conceded from next four overs, and the skipper turned to James to apply spin at both ends. The scoreboard pressure told, with the batters taking a risky two out to Drew at Cow corner. Drew charged in and threw down the stumps at the bowlers end, the direct hit making the difference for our third wicket, 81-3 from 26.

This runout seemed to wake up the opening bat, who to this point hadn't looked to make the most of his various lives. We conceded 31 from the next two overs, but the skipper kept faith in his young spinners, and James and the opener caught by the skipper at cover, the ball after he'd launched James into the empty horse field, 121-4 from 29.

Into the final 10, Noah (5-2-25-0) and James (1-25) were replaced by Merlot and Paul as we looked to reduce the run rate. Only 16 runs were conceded from next four, including another wicket for Paul (2-24), Basingstoke 137-5 from 34.

Basingstoke fought back, as Merlot (0-21) lost his radar, and the returning CT (0-42) and Corbyn (1-30) received a bit of tap Basingstoke scoring 56 from the next 5 overs! Aidy Green entered the attack to bowl the last over, conceding only three runs, as Basingstoke finished 204-5 from 40. Probably more than we should have let them get, but probably below par at Long Sutton.

After an excellent tea (thanks to CT and Netty for prepping and to Claire and Lenice who helped set everything up), Aidy and Matt were reunited after their week away from eachother. The league's leading wicket taker vs the league's best opening combo, this was the contest we'd all been waiting for.

Matt got off to a flyer, taking a single off the first ball down to fine leg, and crunching both opening bowlers to the cover boundary. Unfortunately though both openers settled on their areas, and Matt (12) fell to the pressure, mistiming his infamous lofted drive to give catching practice to mid-on, 12-1 from 6.1.

Netty now joined Aidy, who was still yet to get off the mark. Thankfully Aidy doesn't feel pressure, and soon got going, including a lovely pickup towards deep backward square towards the playground.

The opening bowler was undeterred and came fighting back, and manged to find a way through Aidy's defences (9). The wickets didn't stop there, as Netty hit the ball straight to mid-on and ran to leave James (0) short of his ground, and Charlie (1) was bowled soon after, leaving us in trouble at 31-4 from 16 as both opening bowlers finished their spells.

Netty was still battling this point and was joined by Drew, who was keen to take the game back to Basingstoke, and got off the mark with a six, followed by launching a six down the ground. Netty (7) couldn't follow suit unfortunately, and was bowled looking to up the rate, before Noah (0) was very well caught at midwicket in the same over, Noah very unfortunate considering how well he'd struck the ball.

41-6 from 19, and on course for our lowest score of the season, but we still had plenty to come. Corbyn was now in, and was happy to drop anchor and defend solidly while Drew launched the counter attack, including a second six to take us past fifty.

Drew (21) however couldn't keep it going, and skied an easy catch looking to clear the school. Corbyn (4) was now joined by Paul in a potentially very exciting partnership, but his vigil ended soon after looking to go after the same bowler, 64-8.

Paul and CT were now together, looking to be busy. Both are capable of batting much higher and had a great opportunity, but CT (6) kicked a straight one, 74-9 from 27.3.

The skipper now joined Paul at the crease. With two coaches batting together, the team were ready for a masterclass in calling and running. Three near run outs, a couple of yes-nos’s, and a silent call later, the pair figured out what they were supposed to be doing.

A single from the skipper got us to 75, before the game plan was launched. Merlot blocking, Paul finding the boundary, and both rotating the strike where possible, the partnership started to build as we looked for each bonus point.

Five fours in two overs from Paul, giving Cow corner a peppering took us comfortably past 100. Basingstoke didn't seem to cotton onto Paul's main scoring area and he filled his boots, much to the annoyance of those fielders who had to keep looking for the ball.

With 92 needed off the last five the game was likely gone, but there were still bonus points on offer. The skipper’s first false shot saw the ball narrowly miss leg stump and go through for four byes, before he late cut the next ball for four to take us past 125 and bring up the fifty partnership.

Paul (37) tried to go big in the final three but succeeded in giving the keeper an easy catch, as we ended on 126 from 37.2. Overall a comfortable second place, not sure we did ourselves justice against a strong side.

Player of the Match: Paul Downham, 2-24, top scored with the bat plus prepared another very good cricket wicket.

Muppet of the week: Charlie Green, early doors when fielding let his Dad know he wasn't particularly happy with misfield that Aidy struggled to get down to. Next ball went through Charlie's legs, much to our amusement.