Well, it probably didn't help that at the scheduled 1.00pm start time there were only three LNZCC players at the ground, whereas there were six others, camouflaged by hedgerows, careering around the surrounding southern Hampshire countryside looking for the right turn, and one on the train still 37 minutes away from Petersfield having had to make a very, very last minute adjustment to travel plans. Nor was it probably ideal that at least two of the top order were suffering the after effects of serious Saturday nights; but at least they made it despite the attractions of 2am!

And indeed, after a decidedly ropey (15 minutes late) start when both openers should have been caught for noughts, we were a comfortable 64-1 in the 15th over with Mike Oliver, in the words of R Burgess Esq., starting to make hay, and on 44 not out. And who knows what might have been the ultimate outcome had the wide mid-on fielder missed with his shy, which he didn't, although it was a distinctly uncomfortable single that Mike had elected to run.

Still, 64-2 on a difficult (two-paced, variable bounce), but not unplayable surface, looked like a good launching pad. And no matter what the mitigating circumstances, to lose eight wickets for 48 runs to be all out for 112 was more than careless. So we must all collectively hold up our hands and admit it was ultimately a poor display of batting, against some illusorily friendly, yet quite clever, and very dry, bowling.

Nonetheless, we moved quickly to get 9 overs in before tea, and after three of those, the Brigands were 2 down for 1 run, struggling to 12-2 at the break.

The skipper had surprised by opening upwind with impressive left arm quick, Kerry Pinkham (Blenheim born), and the wily mediums of Bernie McAlister downwind, followed by a fired up Mike Oliver on as first change. All three looked like they would take wickets at any time, and whether upwind or down, the lack of luck experienced by, in particular, Kerry was extraordinary (at one stage, rolling his hand over the seam, he coerced three shooters in four balls, all of which narrowly missed the stumps - during another, at the opposite end, he got four successive deliveries to snarl up off a length, with the batsman only just over two of them and dropped off a very hard chance to second slip on one of the others).

Ben Dormer added to the mix (literally) with six threatening overs of skiddy medium pace, and leg spinner Josh Denize looked very promising in a short spell.

Moreover, the fielding was top notch from everybody: Josh catching the eye with some brave stops and hare like chasing; Kerry revealing a strong arm from the boundary; and Fraser Graafhuis swift on the pick up.

All this came to nought though, as the resolute and determined young 3 and 4 in the order for the Brigands (56 n.o. and 49 n.o. respectively) battled their way through to victory by eight wickets with an unbroken 113 partnership occupying 33 overs.

Unusually, the GBK man of the match award went to a bowler taking no wickets. But how there was a "0" in the wickets column in Kerry's LNZCC debut figures of 14-5-30-0 none of us know.

Thanks to everyone for making the journey - lovely setting, if only the blustery wind had relented a little more often than it did, excellent tea in the marquee.

Especially thanks to John for making it after diverting cross-town to Waterloo, guided by modern phone technology. A note too of Locky's solid 23 (and 56 partnership with Mike) batting at number 3. And to the groundsman for keeping the rabbits, badgers and moles off over and under the square, without which there wouldn't be a game.

For the record: because of the late arrivals, Brigands offered to let us bat first, although, even with hindsight, I would have batted anyway if I'd won the toss.

Andy Swann

                    Runs    Catches    Stumpings    Run Outs    Statistics

Mike Oliver          44                                         run out
Fraser Graafhuis      1                                         lbw
Darren O'Loughlin    23                                         caught
Ben Dormer            4                                         lbw
Richard Burgess       9                                         lbw
John McMullan         3                                         caught
Josh Denize           1                                         caught
*+Andrew Swann       10                     1                   bowled
Kerry Pinkham         9                                         bowled
Bernie McAlister      2*

Extras                6

Kerry Pinkham      14    5   30    0
Bernie McAlister    7    1   25    2     bowled, stumped
Mike Oliver         4    1   15    0
Ben Dormer          6    2   18    0
Josh Denize         3    0   14    0
Darren O'Loughlin   1    0    5    0
John McMullan       0.2  0    4    0

GBK Man of the Match : Kerry Pinkham