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Lee Pretsell stayed there for a while but fell to Sharon Whiting’s tricky bowling and one of Neil Rogers' 4 catches. Nick Shepherd initially played a supporting role to Clarke but soon got into his stride and cut and pulled his way to an excellent 45. Jack Oakley joined him for a while and taught him a thing or two about running between the wicket (which he still hadn't totally comprehended by the time Jack's dad came in). Both Oakleys succumbed to Whiting with Jack at least smug in the knowledge that he had scored more runs than Rob.

The rot continued shortly after with Nick Shepherd being caught by Rogers off a ball bowled from Powell. Rogers went on to perform a spectacular catch off his own bowling for the wicket of Nick Jones – apparently landing on his head. Chris Hedley came to the wicket claiming that he had not played cricket for many a year but, perhaps inspired by his brother’s voice on the Polo club public address system, began slogging the ball all over the place, scoring a creditable 9 before being stumped by Greaves. Charlie Hedley (now playing for Chantilly) and Denzil Homer briefly held up tea with a last wicket stand of 7 – just allowing Cheryl time to get the cakes out of the car.

Chantilly (after some extra adding up and crossings out by Sue) had amassed 194 - not as many as had been hoped for earlier in the innings, but a challenge for a reduced opposition.

Tea was provided by the Coopshep-Jones' and everyone joyfully tucked into egg sandwiches and 5, yes 5, varieties of cake! A controversial moment arrived when it was decided to alter the annual awards and change the “Best Lemon Cake Award” to the “Best Carrot Cake Award” in order to give someone other than Cheryl Jones the chance of winning. However, this decision has not yet been fully ratified by the cake sub-committee – chances are they will compromise and have 2 awards.

With 195 needed for Thoiry to win, Greaves and Moodley opened the batting but Greaves was an early victim to Charlie Hedley’s bowling, being caught by Sansbury. Rogers came in and amassed 10, falling LBW to Shepherd - a relief to Chantilly, having done so much damage in the previous innings.

In came Powell, to one or two jeers it must be said. As a master of the sledge, he seemed to take it well but couldn't stop himself from going aggressively after a shorter ball from the vicar. Early season timing led to a top edge into the face and he went down like a sack of the proverbial. A pint or so of blood later Powell was escorted from the field and driven home to the afore-mentioned patient wife. Rumour has it that he now has two black eyes.

With a player down and out, Thoiry were beginning to struggle. Luckily Moodley was in form, hitting several 4’s and a 6 before being bowled by Nick Clarke for 32. Thoiry limped on to score 77 before being all out, with Nick Clarke making up for the bat with excellent bowling figures of 3 for 12 off 5 overs - plus the scalp of Powell.

With almost 20 overs of the match remaining, it was agreed to give Thoiry a 2nd innings which brought their score up to a more respectable 136. Greaves excelled 2nd time around smacking most of his 44 (n.o.) to the mid wicket boundary.

The evening ended with the habitual rush towards the left over cake and a not-very-cold beer (Powell having selfishly warmed up the ice pack on his face). Special mention goes to Cherry Clarke for driving Adrian home and to Tony Elliott for driving Adrian's car home and for taking the team photos at the end of the evening.

Victory to Chantilly. A welcome turn-around from the week before and hopefully a sign of things to come.

Rob Oakley