We were unanimous: a batting day. But captain Drew lost the toss, so into the field we went, opening up with Giordy and Ihtesham. And the Plough started strongly: Giordy hitting a length with a bit of cheeky shape, and Sham arching his back, hitting both the pitch and the batsmen hard. After a few deliveries, the batsmen wandered off the pitch without a word, leaving the Ploughmen bemused. But they returned with lids and thigh guards and the mystery was solved: Sham was winning the psychological battle.

Soon came the wickets, Giordy inducing some false shots, and Sham eventually getting his well-deserved wicket, but a left-hander with a beautiful cover drive and some friendly chat brought the fight back. It was now, Drew thought, that he should bring himself on. And he started with a pearler, swinging it back into the left-hander, missing the top of off by a whisker. After a few overs, he had his man with a fine snick to the keeper. Then came Nige, hitting his areas immediately and inducing a false shot in no time. Soon he had a cheeky two-fer; and the Ploughmen had Ascot 6 down for 60-odd.

But Ascot fought back again, with an excellent partnership from two young lads, to bring the game back into the balance. Soon it was the turn of Si and Niraj bowling in partnership to finish the innings. Si soon had one clean-bowled, and had two caught in spectacular fashion in the deep: one from Skip, and the other, a diving effort from George B. Was the dive required? I'm not sure, but his parents were watching and they seemed chuffed. Eventually, using all his variations, Niraj finished the innings off for the Plough. We needed 195 to win.

As for lunch, unfortunately, there is not a tremendous amount to say: it was a bring-your-own affair, but the lads got together and provided the Squashies and the Randoms, with the Chairman providing more nutritious options, such as quiche and watermelon. What a Ploughman.

Soon enough the lads were out in the middle, opening up with Andrew and George B. The latter had promised his spectating parents a boundary, and duly obliged with a cut off the back foot. As soon as the ball hit the rope, the rents were packing up their chairs, and walking to the car; and a few minutes later, George got a good one from Ascot's quickest bowler, perhaps vindicating their decision. But both Andrew and George had done their jobs, blunting the potency of the Ascot bowlers. And George S and Joe Hockings took advantage, building a strong partnership, batting through the innings with the grandstand in the backdrop giving the impression the standard of the game was much more professional than it really was. But the pair paced the chase well, winning the game with a few overs to spare, and, unfortunately, keeping Ean waiting the whole time, leaving him with a TFC and a bit of pad rash. But a good win nonetheless, which the Ploughmen duly celebrated with some lagers in the fading light. A good day all round.

Match report produced by George Stanley