The penultimate match of the season saw us pick up new opposition as we made the shortish journey up the A41 to Berkhamsted CC. Having looked at their website and through news of the Saracens league, we knew they were a big, and strong club.

Forget the game for a moment, oh my god, tea was sensational! I never though Hartley Wintney would be surpassed, but this was on a different level! The home-made chocolate cake was mmmmmmm, the rice and pasta fantastic, the warm pizza sublime. Pictures will be attached shortly.

We arrived to see a wonderful setting and pitch looking in fine condition. This masked the fact that it had taken a lot of rain and at the bottom of the slope (a la Lords) it was pretty wet, as Trigger was to find out with another comedy fall. 2 in 2 weeks for the big man!

The Goodwill welcomed back Paul Hiscock (no, that's really his name) and Disco Doshi. Paul, having flown back for the USA, was feeling rather jet-lagged and did ask Ranjan earlier in the day if it was possible to draft in 12th man, and highly acclaimed author Marcus Wilson. However, being so late in the day, he accepted he'd have to play. And as events were to unfold it proved a great decision.

Having lost, the Goodwill were sent into the field, partly down to the fact that Berkhamsted were waiting on a few players. Tight early bowling from both Mowgli and Grievous tied Berko down, and the 3 early break-throughs came to put the pressure on. It was interesting to watch the Berko batsman, as their numbers 3, 4 and 5 especially looked very, very strong! As Berko set about rebuilding the ball was thrown to Paul Hiscock (no, that's really his name). His first over went for 14, and he was tactically withdrawn by Captain Ollie Sayers. He was to return, a few overs later, with a change of ends and how he responded. Just before two key runs-outs, courtesy of the opening pair of Correa and Graves (with an assist to Westy) meant the Goodwill were on top. But with dangerous batsmen all the way down the order, the job was far from down. It is therefore to his great credit, that Paul Hiscock (no, that's really his name) belied his inexperience to bowl at such batsman and his next 5.3 overs only going for 20, and picking up 3 wickets in the process. Top marks to Lars, and he's also developing a natural Freddie Flintoff-style celebration, stood still arms out-stretched! The Goodwill continued to bowl well, and field very well, which resulted in a couple of wickets for Darren "Waaaaaaaaaiiiiting there" Westwood, including one that spun a mile, with Hugh-Z behind the timbers, executing the stumping. The final wicket fell with just 95 on the board, half the job down and we retired for tea. The fielding was very good, with honourable mention to Ronnyboy who took a pearler of a catch one-handed, with a huge air of nonchalance. During Berko's innings, it was probably just as well that the ball didn't go to Mike Allaway, as the sky wasn't blue so he'd have probably dropped it, especially as the stock market still hasn't hit a big upsurge, the weather was a bit changeable, the price of a pint had gone up, his new bat hadn't arrived, Boots had run out of that caffeine shampoo, the showers were communal and Gareth didn't have a towel.

A rain shower during the tea break freshened up a damp, slow wicket, and meant that Berko's spinners enjoyed some turn. As the game wore on, the ball seemed to grip and turn more. Early wickets put us under a bit of pressure, with Westy holing out to deep mid-wicket, Ollie being run-out after a big mix-up with Olive, Cashy caught at mid-on and Trigger and Ronny both bowled. Disco creamed a lovely cover-drive to get going, but then was bowled by one that spun in, and when Gravesy was LBW, we were in big trouble at 56-8. But fear not, as Paul Hiscock (no, that's really his name) strolled to the wicket, that air of calmness about him, and his eyes set on becoming an all-rounder. A 9th wicket partnership of 34 between Mowgli and Lars was inching the Goodwill home, until one spun back to disturb Correa's timbers with 6 runs still required.

Once again, a 2011 Goodwill match was coming right down to the wire. But fear not, as Paddington strode to the wicket. Lars continued to be defiant, and even had time to time one through 'mud-wucket' for his first club boundary (what's that I hear you say……Jug?!) That left it to Gareth, to demonstrate that the solid middle of his bat is slightly nearer the edge, and play one through the covers for our, to see the Wanderers home by one wicket!

It was a damp, slow wicket, but not one that should have produced 19 wickets for less than 200 runs. Still it produced a fabulous game of cricket. And, under the pressure of a chase, the boys held their nerve to edge home. It all sets it up nicely for the season finale next week at Sulhampstead to close the playing side of the club's 20th year, which has been a roaring success with many records broken, many personal bests set and new players and nicknames introduced to the club. For next season, each player may have their own song…… certainly Trigger and myself are working on that. Do do do, come on and Paul Hiscock……...