Superstar new boy Viki still seeking his first win. Giordy high as a kite with energy off the back of his debut league wicket the day before. Mo and Chris purring over the sharpness of the assorted pencil collection. We were here to do the business.

Eventually we were underway and batting first. Butlin and then Barron managed to play all round straight balls from the Exiles’ energetic pacey opener but Cosgrove and Connolly set about a steady rebuild. Exiles changed their bowlers around almost every over, and conditions were not particularly batting friendly - strong gusting cross winds made sure the bails were rattling on the floor on an overly basis, and the pitch was very much Not Flat (read, cut on the edge of the square and tilted 20*) - excuses out the way.

After seeing off the openers Cosgrove fell to a nasty inducker bringing club legend and all round good guy Freddie Mills to the crease. Telling his new batting partner “I only play one way” he set about a destructive path. Unfortunately for him, at the cost of a calf. Mills blasted the ball to all parts, kindly letting Barron and then Davies do all his running for him. At the other end Connolly tried to play sensibly but also struck a few lusty blows. 130 partnership and the scoreboard was looking healthy at 170-3 after 28 overs.

COLLAPSE TIME!

The middle and lower orders found it tough and we were all out in the last over for 186… Chairman Carson not out having padded up in record speed.

Heading out to field, we felt in the game. Decent total and a clear strategy for our bowlers on a pitch that would play havoc all day with the batters. Barron predicted 50 all out and Giordy fancied a 6fer.

Exiles had some hitters and were dispatching anything short from ball one, but not without significant risk. A brief intermission as Captain Carson took a nasty blow whilst fielding- we are right behind you mate. Get well soon!

Viki and Barron combined for a smart catch to remove an opener, Cosgrove took a beauty off Connolly to snag their number 3, and we were RIGHT in the hunt. Sharp fielding and excellent spirit from Mo, Ean and Harry kept us ticking, and it was Harry himself who made the decisive contribution.

Exiles were looking comfortable at 110-3 needing 70 to win with 20 overs to go and their main batter looking set on 80. Harry however had other ideas. Playing the oldest trick in the book, he bowled 4 balls of seam up trash, missing the pitch with a couple of them, before re marking his run, switching to his demon off spin action, and with his first ball absolutely ragging one back through the gate, clean bowling the gun oppo bat and potentially sealing victory for the plough.

A second magic moment was to follow - ball played into the covers, Butlin scrambling across managed to tip it round the post like a prime Buffon, the batters see the chance to scramble for a single. However big Jimmy Barron had other ideas. Gliding across the ground he picked the ball up with one hand, took dead aim and FIRED down the one stump he had to aim at, a true bullet throw. The batter was crumpled in a heap on the ground having tried to dive in - short of his ground and only succeeding to take out his mate umpiring.

Whoops and screams and yelps ensued. We had them right where we wanted them. Viki smelt blood - this really was going to be his first win.

Credit to the opposition. They played with 10 the entire game and had a couple of old boys who batted 9&10, admirably padding up to face the music and try and save the game for their side. Eventually all out, the mighty Plough side, with Si in our thoughts, took the W. Wickets shared around, mainly good catching, a quality run out. Team performance and team spirit high throughout. Plough strong.

Canelo

Match report produced by Leo Connolly