“Isn’t this supposed to be a summer game?”

It quickly became evident that the first match had enjoyed the best of the weather (a strictly relative term, under the circumstances), as the fifteen-over game was played under skies gloomier than Eeyore listening to The Smiths. Batting first, Rickmansworth decided to start with the not out pair from the previous game, Bird and Watson, and continue in the listed batting order…well, sort of. Watson hit a brisk thirteen, followed by a good innings from Adam Malin in his first match in over three years. Lindsay survived an lbw shout first ball to better his previous day’s batting performance (two golden ducks), while Bailey added to his bowling heroics with some good shots from his vintage 5lb 2oz V12 bat..17 not out apiece for Wembridge and Firth, coupled with 23 extras, took the home total to a useful 96-5 from Rickmansworth’s fifteen overs.

In the field, Rickmansworth once again opened the bowling with Watson and Firth. The latter dismissed Lucky (again not living up to his name) with a good caught-and-bowled, before a splendid diving catch from Bird removed the dangerous Ashish. Bailey and Lindsay relieved the openers, but the visitors struggled to make much progress in the dark. Eventually, the drizzle became continuous rain, and after ten overs it was decided to call it a day and return to the pavilion in an unlikely search for hot soup. Sadly but unsurprisingly, there were no steaming vats of Heinz present, but Wembridge’s parting gift of sausages on the barbecue proved most welcome. All present could reflect on a good afternoon’s cricket, in which everyone played their part, against sociable and well-balanced opponents. Which, surely, is what Sunday cricket is all about?