Fortunately for us, Vicki was there on time and eager to get things underway, filling in for the toss. After a fair amount of deliberation, we won the toss and elected to bat first. At that very moment, as if by magic, the rest of the team appeared and we prepared for an only mildly delayed start.

The innings got underway with Hockings and McCreery opening. From the first over their intent was clear - score runs and looks good doing it. It was a masterclass of respect the good ball and play the bad ball, as both openers were consistently knocking a boundary an over from the off. With such a good display of batting going on on field, the spectating Plough's attention began to wander.

The well equipped Capel CC had their own streaming set up and with this, much to the Skippers delight, microphones for live commentary. After maybe half an over of preamble, i.e. commentary on the game going on in front of them, the commentary box soon turned their attention to the more important matter of what breeds of dog were visible from the boundary. Grayzer, Harry Bray and Carl had much to add on the matter and it seemed, by the time their attention was back on the game, both openers were pushing their 50.

With the onlooking Ploughs attention firmly back on the game, they were delighted to see not one but both openers getting their half ton on the board, with no signs of stopping. At this point, the oppo had given much chat about how their two first team opening bowlers were playing, but we're only going to bowl some loopy off-spin. Alas for us, this proved not to be the case. Clearly intimidated by Hockings and McCreery, their openers, accompanied by suitably dodgy spin, scrapped their two step run-up in favour of a fifteen pace charge-in.

Nevertheless, Hockings and McCreery looked unphased. In fact, it was probably the six foot whatever mullet-bearing pace bowler who was more disgruntled at not having got a five-fer off his first five balls. Alas, it could not last and Hockings was bowled to a very fast (85mph if you trust the dodgy security gun they were using to measure the bowling speed) clean bowled. In then went Jamie White, with the utterly unenviable task of seeing off their beast of a bowler who was out for blood. This proved a little too tall a task and then in came Harry Bray on a Hattrick ball. At this point, with the most effortless flick of the wrist, he creamed the bowler for four runs - very stylish.

McCreery and Bray then built a nice little partnership, despite the tricky bowling, and McCreery got his ton. It was a magnificent innings and thoroughly well earned - I urge you to watch it back on Capel CC's YouTube if you find the time. However, just as the Plough were looking to accelerate, a bit of a collapse took place. Bray's wicket fell, shortly followed by McCreery (an LBW which ump Vibes after declared he would not have given were Max on 96). Then Harry Payne came in and saw off a fair few balls but couldn't quite get in. Grayzer, like White went in and out very quickly, leaving a mad dash of Plough on the side scrambling to get their whites on. Vicky and James ended up seeing off the innings, with a bye and a single. To leave the Plough on a respectably defendable 190.

Then came the much anticipated tea. Carl had had the pleasure of playing at Capel the year before and firmly incepted the idea of a good tea in the travellers minds. They were not disappointed. Unfortunately for Vibes, this delicious tea was immediately followed by a very intense opening spell and he was left wishing we'd bowled first.

Despite the rather full stomach and rather heavy tour in the all-too-recent past, Vibes bowled wonderfully. With Grayzer one end and Vibey the other, the oppo looked shaken. The opposition took umbridge at Carl celebrating bowling a 14 year old, but if I'd bowled a ball like that'd I'd have sent off a five year old. Lightly swinging away before jagging in off the pitch - sublime.

Carl followed this up with not one, not two, but three more wickets to leave their upper order figuratively decimated and the fielding Plough literally delighted. On came Richard James to continue the onslaught. In fact, he was so surprised (N.B. I don't know why there was any surprise after watching him bowl) that he'd hit the stumps he appealed to the umpire, much to the amusement of the onlooking spectators.

And after this, another wicket to James, who bowled magnificently. This time, caught one handed jumping backwards by Hockings. This might be the point at which to pass comment on Joe Hockings hands. I don't know if it was PEDs, super glue or sheer ability and talent, but anything near him in the field stuck. He took two absolute screamers at backwards point, or was it square leg - I guess you'll have to watch the reply.

Anyway, back to the bowling. Now the Plough were firmly into the middle order and things were looking strong at drinks. Crano had come on and got a beautiful bowled first over. He followed this up with a magnificent spell showing pace and control, to leave the oppo firmly on the back foot.

Alas, just as the Plough thought they had them, on came number 9, son of club president and 1s playing hiding away firmly in the tail. At this point, the Plough were struggling, energy low and sights firmly set on the Serbia match that evening. Unfortunately, number nine was locked in and knew just when to accelerate. Despite the great efforts of Vicky and Grayzer, there was little they could do against the aggression and power of their number 9 bat, who knocked the ball about.

You'd think he had won the euros from the celebration as they brought it home in the last couple of overs. One might say it was a little excessive; then again, maybe that's the attitude we should all have to our Sunday afternoon friendlies, and it was a superb batting innings.

Despite the loss, consolatory wise words from Grayzer lifted the mood before the Plough departed the field and made a mad dash for the DSG hoping to catch the second half of the England game.

Match report from Dave Yates