And so to Edmonton after a week off with the Bank Holiday. A few changes to the Goodwill line-up without the likes of Das (ist guut), Paul Hiscock (no, that's really his name), Marcus and Disco. Mike Allaway, again looking resplendent in his sparkling spikes and thinning, greasy hair, returned once more to the side, and there was another outing for Darpan.

We turned up on a grey, drizzly day to find a decent wicket under cover. When the covers were removed, Edmonton won the toss and stuck us in. Openers Sayers and Westwood Snr proceed to try and set the platform as the drizzle became heavier. After about 6 and a bit overs (I think [5.4 actually]) the rain started bucketing it down, we ran for shelter and the covers were pulled on. After an hour or so, it was still raining, though looking a bit brighter. Standing Umpires C. Correa and D. Westwood made a few inspections, joined in his white coat by third umpire S. Graves , and were assessing the light, when the decision was made to have an early tea, followed by a 25-over match.

Tea was pretty good and then we set-off from scratch once more. We batted first amassing 125 in our allocation for the loss of a few wickets (not sure how many, someone else has taken the book this week. (Inconsiderate if you ask me))[As Team Statto - I reserve the right to grab the book and tuck it in at night . And it was 5 wickets] A slow start with us 48-1 off 14 overs was helped by a good last five overs, with special acknowledgement made to Michael Westwood. By his own admission, he's not had the best of seasons with the bat to say the least, yet he remains a big part of the dressing room and has always continued to be vocal in support of others despite his poor form. Here, Trigger showed his ability. An unbeaten 29 off 20 balls, including his first ever six for the club, was the undoubted highlight leading to him being christened the Cameo Queen. Oooooh sailor. Also, Chris Cashman was inspired by the presence of Allaway from the USA, and proceeded to hit one "out of the park." Fortunately, we think, it managed to miss the passing traffic on the A10.

With the short boundary one side, 125 was going to be tough to defend but as always, we gave it our best. Surprisingly, thinking about it, the short boundary didn't actually see that much action. Early pressure through building dot balls, especially from Darren, bowling absolutely superbly, was built upon by wickets from Steve and Ollie, and a couple of run-outs as well. Ollie in the process passed 30 wickets for the season which is some feat and also smashing his previous career-best.

The fielding was pretty decent on the whole. Although a couple of chances went down. Cashy shelled one at mid-on and then Mike Allaway spilt one at backward point. The ball went up, and Mike probably couldn't pick it up out of the now blue sky, and probably couldn't decide whether to come in, and probably couldn't decide whether to stay back, and probably couldn't decide whether to take it palms up or palms down, and probably couldn't decide which beer to order at the bar, and probably couldn't decide whether to have a shower with Gareth about, and probably couldn't decide whether to attend Justine's wedding or play at Sulhampsted, and probably couldn't decide whether to invest in the stock market as it currently stands with the uncertainty that's around. Anyway, he dropped it.[As usual, some of that last, incredibly long, sentence is true - I never had any intention of showering with Gareth]  As mentioned, the drops aside, most of the bowlers got wickets, and it was bubbling up into a tight game. And we know what happens with tight games this season……... Alas, we were due to lose a tight one, and so it proved. A young Edmonton batsman who'd come in, in the middle order proceeded to accumulate 66 not out and guide Edmonton to victory in the last over. Correa's last two overs got pummelled. The bad balls got put away, the good balls…….got put away! Gutted. But fair play to the lad, he batted well. Very well.

Whilst it's always disappointing to lose, it was a good game of cricket, played in a good spirit. When we turn up on Sunday, we would like to win. But mostly we want to have a competitive game. Like Yarl, Denham, Hartley Whitney, Newlands, and many others, this was even and competitive game that both sides could have won. Unlike Little Kingshill.

Hopefully the weather will give us the chance to have a longer game next year. And my last two overs might not get pummelled. Then again…………...