Cricket write-up

What a brilliant day we had. The teams were "Al Qaeda" (captained my me, my beard makes me look like a terrorist apparently) and "the cream pies", captained by my best mate, Alan Walker.

Al Qaeda batted first, after I won the toss, and reached 73-5 after 20 overs. Highlights included Rob Miles hitting a superb 30 runs, including a classic on drive for four, as well as some good pull shots, and Tom Linsell getting useful runs in a lengthy innings, before being run out, having never played cricket before. A brilliant knock. Phil Wren and my Dad also had a useful stand at the death, despite giving numourous chances, only to be given lives in return! Alan Walker, Neil Casey, Alan Millward, Cameron Petersen, and Johnny Baker all bowled very well.

I, of course, got a golden duck, batting at number three, out to a beautiful delivery from Jab, arguably the best bowler of the day, hitting the top of off stump, making a mockery of my feeble defensive shot. Bowled first ball, through the gate. It had to happen. I walked off to "happy birthday" and sarcastic claps! Rob "Ruben" Southern also left for a duck, having faced three overs, having blocked and prodded in a very orthodox fashion. He then got sledged by Walker, chanced a sneaky run, and ran himself out after a brilliant piece of fielding.

After Al Qaeda had faced 20 overs, tea was taken, and thanks to my mother we had cakes, sandwiches, and drinks!

Then the cream pies were in to bat, with myself captaining Al Qaeda in the field, and we managed to bowl them out after 17 overs for 60 runs, giving us the victory! My bowling was reasonable, 2 overs, 0-0, but Robin Haywood, Tony Ruse, Rob Southern, and Rob Miles bowled very well to stop the runs and get the wickets. A fantastic "combined" catch was also taken by Robin and Andrew Pearson (my brother and my father) at deep long on, the like of which will probably never be seen again! I caught Alan Walker at square leg, off a thick top edge, and Lorrie Leonard took a fantastic catch behind the stumps to dismiss Johnny Baker. There were also a couple of Run-outs!

All in all, a fantasic day. People came out of their houses to watch, and some remarked how brilliant it was to see people playing cricket, in a field, on a Summer's day. And who could argue? The best sport, played by experienced and inexperienced players, who came from all over the country, as well as good old Fleet, and yet got on with each other so well. I'm so grateful to everyone who came, and hopefully we can all do it again some time.

Ben