Easy as ABC? Ricky 1st chase down 123.

A warm, sunny and sultry day greeted us at Park Road, certainly the first time this season I’d played there without the threat of rain or frostbite for that matter.

A late arriving and somewhat lackadaisical Old Cholmeleians team put the pads on and the score line soon reflected their attitude, Rory Bennett snaring three of the first four, two of which were absolute peaches, off cutters coming back to take the bails and the spoils of the first session before drinks. Captain Khalique resplendently decked out in black suede New Balance trainers and an attitude that match soon found himself back in the pavilion thanks to a solid catch at 1st slip by Bobby off Jason Phillipson - Old Cholmeleians reeling at 20/4.

Perhaps it’s comparable to the seventh inning stretch in baseball; everyone gets a little listless and the foot comes off the gas. It’s a reoccurring scenario this year in the 1sts and once again it struck with three batsmen at the bottom of the order combing for 90 runs. All of a sudden a target of more than 100 loomed and looked like a reality for the opposition. However, with both Curly bowling one maiden after the next and Rory keeping it tight, they weren’t going to let the total get out of control. Rory collected another two wickets – bowled, to snare his first Michelle (and pint of Pinot Grigio) for the club.

As their innings came to an end on 123, it was not without controversy. A no ball was bowled and Whiteside on 43 was “caught”. However, some quick thinking saw the ball returned and bails off in a flash. Out was the decision given by the neutral umpire. However, the opposition wasn't having a bar of it, stating that you couldn’t be run out off a no-ball. Now perhaps the only time that this can perhaps occur is when you can’t get out first ball in back yard cricket or you’re playing on easy mode in Brian Lara’s Cricket 2007 game.

The greater question being was the batsman actually attempting a run? Considering his valiant attempt to return to safety perhaps illustrating his belief that he was a chance of being run out.

And this was majestically followed by the stumping dismissal off Curly for his second and ultimately the last wicket of the innings which was then thoroughly debated with the square leg umpire by the batsman. A total lack of respect for the umpiring being displayed by the opposition.

With a fair amount of dissent from the opposition captain and fielders inventing this new rule, our objective was to ignore their commentary, score the runs and enjoy the rest of the evening.

And score the runs we did, but only in a way that we could almost throw the game away in the process.

Vish Rathi departed early playing all around one that kept low. Benn Glazier and Rory Bennett continued on, combining for 46 in the next 10 overs before Benn (31) nicked one through to the keeper. And the next over proved to almost be the tipping point, with three wickets falling, first Rory out LBW for 21, and subsequently Waheed Mahroof and Bobby Chowdhry not troubling the scorers. From 65/1 in the 14th we were now 69/5 in the 15th and then 79/7 with both Dave Cooper and Raunak Khanduja out for 2 a piece shortly after.

However, the ship was steadied as the old pro came out to bat and put on an unbeaten partnership of 47 with Marty Jaynes continuing his rich vein of form making 29*. Marc Robinson made 19* and the two showed some intestinal fortitude to see off Old Cholmeleians by 3 wickets.