We welcomed Addington 1743, a side we’ve had some good games against over the past few seasons. They batted first, and we came out hot. Damon Greeney opened the bowling with his usual reliability, safe lines, perfect lengths and Callum Daley brought the heat from the other end, hooping it both ways at serious pace. Addington were pinned back early, and we piled the pressure on.

Chances came, and we took them. I held onto a sharp one-hander at gully that drew a few surprised noises from the cordon. Champion Boss followed that up with a fully horizontal worldie off his own bowling that had the oppo gasping — an outrageous grab that might’ve stolen catch of the season already, if James Barron didn't play for Ploughmans. Then Damon Greeney added his name to the highlights reel, salsa dancing under a towering steepler on the boundary before safely snaffling it, arms steady, feet twinkling. His fielding all day was absolutely first-rate, patrolling the rope with calm authority. We had them five down at drinks for about 65 or some shit.

The middle overs were bossed by a gorgeous spell from Nealon and Tom Lonnen. Tom was all shapes and bounce, finding that nice high release and asking questions. Champ, at the other end, was relentless, tight as you like and delivering full theatre with every ball. “I could watch this all day,” Callum Daley said, and I don’t disagree.

After drinks, we were on top, but Addington’s big lad decided to go large. He started launching it, helped by a bloke who edged everything over third man for four. Harry Wright very nearly did for their danger man, bowling a spell full of wizardry — loop, dip, turn, wobble, zip, and whatever else you can dream up. Max Gumpert did actually get him caught behind for 30-odd... except in true Sunday chaos, the batter didn’t walk, the umpire didn’t give it, and somehow it got signalled as a wide. A ball that went straight into Suri’s gloves. on about 5th stump line. I don't think Max liked this one very much.

Still, we stuck at it. Addington scraped to around 220 or some shit, a good score, but not unchaseable. Nealon and Tom were the pick of the bowlers, but every man contributed, and our fielding effort was as good as it’s been all year. Special shoutout again to Ben Gumpert, who quite literally threw himself in front of everything.

We began the chase with Sean and Suri. Suri needed 44 to hit the big milestone of 3,000 Plough runs, and spoiler: it wasn’t today. But he looked in seriously good touch doing it, timing everything and batting with class. Sean… well, the less said the better, really.

Tom Lonnen joined Suri and the pair set about things calmly but with intent, adding a neat 50-odd partnership. Suri eventually fell, just 14 short of that magic number, don't worry partner it’ll come soon. Addington’s bowlers were good, starting with a swinging left/right hand combo and then introducing a genuinely sharp, hostile seamer as second change. Tom looked really good, comfortable against the pace, I believe he did wear one on the grill however and maybe one on the forearm and also quite possibly one on the chest and definitely one on the inner thigh, but answered back each time on the front foot, not one to back down from a fight.

Enter Dr. Merch. Not having picked up a bat in some time, he got a rude awakening a couple to the shoulder and rib cage, but looked defiant in defence and scored when it was in his area, hitting the shot of the day, a back foot punch off their quick. Unfortunately he fell shortly afterwards for a valiant 14.

Max Gumpert came in and looked imperious, smashing everything to the cover boundary and racing to 26 before falling. Then Lonnen, Max, and Harry Bray fell in quick succession and the chase looked all but done.

But Callum Daley wasn’t finished. He carved out a beautifully controlled, defiant 40*, keeping us in the hunt as the light faded. Supported superbly by Ben Gumpert, who played the perfect foil, it suddenly looked possible again. But time ran out. Or wickets did. Or both. We finished about 14 short or some shit.

Still, it felt like a good day. One of the best bowling and fielding efforts I’ve been part of this season. Everyone contributed. We pushed a strong Addington side right to the wire. And we’ll see them again, no doubt, ready to right a few wrongs.

Up the Plough.

Match report from Sean McGurn