Pitches look good and the pavillion bar is open as we arrive. Former England players who started their careers at Banstead's shirts adorn said bar at alarmingly regular intervals. Some nervous comments are heard about how many colts are turning up to play for Banstead and whether any of them would be hanging a shirt up in the bar next to Rory Burns and Jason Roy in the future.

We watch half an hour of Wood rearranging West Indian furniture before the 13.30 start. I lose the toss and we are put in to field. Once again I have forgotten to pick up a ball for the fixture so this week, to Damon's delight, we are using a Fullers league ball which has been maturing in my cupboard for the last 6 years.

Unfortunately it doesn't seem to help the openers, Vikki and Damo, and predictions about Banstead being a bowling graveyard seem to be coming true. 55/0 off 5 overs. We maybe bowl a bit two sides of the wicket, but both the young openers (they cant be more than 15/16) are confident and hitting on the up. They plainly dont think much of the angeing/ dad bodded/ hung over/ chainsmoking team we have brought along today.

Luckily Vikki snaffels a tricky caught and bowled to remove one and when Elmo comes on in the 14th over and removes no. 3 with an LBW in his first over weve pegged them back a bit to 69/2.

Damo finishes bowling 8 through at the top (8 overs for 22), he's just utterly reliable these days isn't he? A metronome would provide you with more surprises over the course of a 48 ball spell. Elmo has the second opener caught well by Vikki and a combination of Crane and Britto sees us through to drinks with pride restored at 100 odd for 3.

Post drinks I bring myself on and I settle in to a long spell which locks down one end till the end of the innings. I snag 2 wickets, could have been more, could have been a lot worse too. At the other end we are similarly disciplined. Harry Bray gets 3 surprising overs and bowls excellently. He manages to get his first wicket for the club and should have had a second. Unfortunately, with thoughts starting to turn to tea, the skipper wasn't paying full attention and the ball sails past him rather than in to his waiting hands. Apologies again mate...

196 the final score.

After demolishing a very passable tea Britto (in the hunt for 12,000 runs) and Cosgrove take the field together. There is a lovely sunday opening combo for Banstead of ageing father and 15 year old son. It's a bit of a shame for us the 15 year old is in the Rohan Paul mould. Figures of 8 overs 3 maidens 6 runs 3 wickets tells you all you need to know really. Dad turns out to be quite handy too.

At 23/5 we rally briefly with a partnership between Rob Mead and myself which takes us to drinks and up to 90 odd. Rob looks like he found some form for the first time this season in his redoubtable 36 off 72. That man loves to bat and we have all seen that he is a very capable cricketer previously. I hope this is the start of a golden run of form for him. At the other end I had my moments in my 53, but it was hard going, the bowling was good and I ended up being castled by our 15 year old menace who ducked one in to me at pace.

Elmo shone briefly with the bat for his 30 off 29. However, just as we thought we might have a sniff another 15 year old hit us with what turned out to be his second hat trick of the season and we finished on 146 all out.

I love skippering Sunday cricket for this club and it is always an honour to be asked by the committee. I hope I managed it well on Sunday vs Banstead. I enjoyed being out there with all the team for this very pleasant day out. Shame not to get the win but hats off to Banstead's next generation. They could be bloody special.