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Lee ‘Elvis’ Pretsell came on as first change bowler and he too bagged a wicket in his first over, taking the scalp of Gregg for just 10, giving Rob ‘Buckets’ Oakley his second catch of the day. Jalal, Kumar and Hutchins came and went pretty quickly to Shepherd, Pretsell and Homer bringing Brightam to the crease. Unfortunately he seemed to want to take his cricket a little more seriously by actually trying to hit the ball and, with Nick remaining at the crease much to his displeasure RB were able to build a decent score. Pretsell managed to continue the excellent fielding shown last week with a direct hit to run out Phil for nought, Powell chipped in with a couple of wickets and eventually Nick departed caught Oakley off the bowling of Congreve for a very hard fought 39. By the end of the 30 overs RB had scored 152 for 9, Brightam left unconquered on 45 with Shepherd the pick of the bowlers with 2 for 20 off 5. Mention should also be made of Rob Oakley – taking 5 catches in the match – a couple at that strategically placed position behind the bowler’s arm! I can only remember two sitters dropped in the whole match which is a good improvement for the team.

Tea (*) was another Shepherd contribution – ably served by his assistants family – wolfed down appreciatively by the visitors who all seemed to be after something to line their stomachs – probably some strange Belgian remedy for their illness. It should be noted however that Mr Shepherd did proffer an entry into the carrot cake completion – admitting defeating already to the Cherry entry of a few weeks before. Whilst capitulation like this may be acceptable on the cricket field (is it? – ed) I’m not sure whether this should be allowed under the refreshment tent. You wouldn’t see a team like Spain, current European champions, second favourites for the 2010 World Cup just allow themselves to be beaten by a team for whom football comes a distant third to sliding down snow covered hills on bits of wood and clock making?

Chantilly’s reply began steadily enough with openers Oakley and Pretsell surviving 5 overs of relentlessly accurate bowling from Amit and Alan. It all started to go wrong in the 6th, as Alan really started to click, even getting the first bit of swing ever seen at Apremont (at least since Tony’s last party). 3 wickets in 1 over ripped the heart out of the home side, with both openers departing and Patch ‘Boom Boom’ Clarke still unable to control his hormone-fired aggression. Shepherd hung in for another over but when Amir was introduced it was all too much. Thankfully, for the sake of the game the visitors took Amir out of the attack after two wicket maidens! Jack ‘Turncoat’ Godfrey had a bowl (as he wasn’t going to stop pestering them till he did) to good effect – inducing a couple of rash strokes to take 2-19, but not until Tris ‘Bunny’ Congreve had managed to a healthy 11 runs before his traditional twirl to the floor to be stumped. Chantilly ended on 54 all out – possibly the lowest score of the season – top scorer once again was the extras on 19. Alan ending on superb figures of 5 for 14 off 6 overs.

So, apart from the result and great day of cricket was had by all, and Royal Bruxelles were able to get on the road back home a few hours earlier than they thought. Thanks to them for playing their part in an agreeable afternoon – and we promise to give them a better game next time – hoping that the same bug might strike a few more of their players before the next match!