As they gathered Elstead realised from the size and youth of their Grayswood opponents that this was not going to be a walk in the park… However, full of hope and self-belief in the knowledge that they did it last year, Elstead bravely took their traditional first innings place in the field (aka ‘Baz’s home rules’).

Disney opened the bowling and in the second over nearly took the wicket of eventual top scorer, Kent, Munden’s catch frustratingly denied by a fumble in the slips.

A maiden in the fifth and some good bowling by both Disney and Williams, helped by some athletic boundary performances by Luke and Little, kept the run rate to 4 per over by the tenth; but unlike last year early wickets eluded Elstead.

As opening Grayswood batsmen White and Kent got their eye in the runs started to flow and the run rate had increased to six per over by the 16th. Kent’s swinging took out a wing mirror straight on and then Little’s wedding ring.

Finally, in the 19th over Munden bowled White and Elstead had their first wicket with Grayswood on 116. Munden’s real nemesis, Kent, fell to another cracking ball in the 23rd, with an impressive total of 85 runs.

Another notable feat by Lincoln included a glorious 40 yard run out from cover in the 25th, but this was to be the last wicket Elstead took and the opposition romped home to a somewhat depressing 276 for 3.

Spirits were lifted as tea was served and the sun came out in its full glory. The legendary tea by Rachel and Bridget (not forgetting Pete's scones) was Elstead’s best performance of the day so far and, alas, it was not to be outdone by Elstead’s batting performance.

Faced with some frankly ‘un Sunday-like’ bowling, only Bird (12) Young (10) and (27) Disney reached double figures and Elstead were dismissed after 27 overs with 73 runs.

10 is still available in Baz's 100 club!

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