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Aggressive stroke play paid off and the score moved on to 112 following a succession of well-struck boundaries and even better run ones and twos. Rob sailed past 50 before being caught off the bowling of Collins for the grand total of 68. The highest score in CCC history ! Nick Jones was able to keep the momentum going and remained undefeated with Patrick until the close of the innings after 35 overs. The pair took the score past 200 with Nick scoring a brisk 16 and Patrick an extremely creditable 58 not out. The icing on the cake was a powerful pull for four off the last ball by Jones to reach a fine total of 205 for 5.

Marianne’s new tea rota soon got into full flow with savouries being supplied by the coopsheps and Sue scoring top marks for the cakes – although given the arctic chill from the spring breeze, some Kendal Mint Cake would not have been out of place !

Thoiry’s openers took the field facing the breeze and the total – both of which were pretty stiff. Nick Clarke opened the bowling and produced a very tidy spell which included the scalp of Lovelace in his 2nd over, caught by Patrick – our sincere thanks go to their footwear sponsor Gunn and Moore without whose help none of this would have been possible. Charlie Hedley kept the pressure on the run rate at the other end for the first half a dozen overs. A change of bowlers saw a change in the shape of the game as both batsmen, Moodley and Curtis pushed the score on to 87 through a strong free-scoring partnership. Renewed concentration, in the presence on the touchline of our new President, Jonathan Pease, and a clever switch in the fielding line-up proved to be the turning point. Nick S bowled Curtis five short of his half-century when Rob decided to put Nick J behind the stumps so that Homer could come on to bowl. Whilst waiting in the wings at first slip, Homer took a fabulous low left-handed catch which saw the back of south paw Moodley for 26 and put Shepherd on a hat-trick. The sun was shining briefly on CCC, but Collins resisted the pressure of ten men round the bat and survived, only to go lbw to Homer for a baker’s dozen.

In at number four, Justus stopped the rot and resisted well with the enterprising left-hander Dean. Their intent to make a fight of it was clear as the ball started beating the field for twos threes and fours. Justus was finally done as Hedley senior tricked him into skying one to Nick C. Dean was partnered by Jones and they matched each other run for run. They scored 26 each in a rhythm akin to a count up of points in a game of cribbage – fifteen two, fifteen four, fifteen six and one for his knob etc etc. But once again our patience and precision paid off – Nick Clarke taking his second wicket and Jones’ off-stump and Charlie dishing out exactly the same punishment to Dean in the penultimate over. In a valiant attempt to save some honour Krishna fell on his sword as he was stranded and run-out off the last ball with the Thoiry total finishing on 169 for 8.

Of course no CCC match report would be complete without a summary of injuries incurred. Apparently the freedom afforded to Jean-François by his new whites as opposed to jeans meant that An excessive burst of acceleration in the field cost him a thigh strain, and at the time of writing, the latest information was that Charlie had sustained a powellesque injury to a finger, so we have certainly started where we left off ! And last but by no means least, a very special mention to our debutant – Andy Cowie. The Scottish newcomer put in a stirling and tireless performance in the field with a series of fine stops and even better returns and was a very welcome addition to the team.

We look forward to the forthcoming away match at Thoiry when they have promised to return our hospitality and I am sure that the excellent spirit we all enjoyed on Sunday will prevail. Heart-warming stuff at the end of a bloody freezing afternoon !

Nick S