The day dawned miserable and the Skipper desperately tried to get hold of the Farley Hill locals to inspect the ground and then to call off the game.

Forced in to making the long drive across counties to the ground, we arrived to find conditions playable with the weather looking like it may hold.

Stratfield Turgis arrived at the ground in the knowledge that they were the last league side to actually beat Farley Hill – courtesy of our much vaunted batting capitulating in May of last year.

To further spice up proceedings, Turgis rolled out their brand new signing – Carl Gillham – fresh off a couple of seasons at Farley. After arriving at the ground a little nervous, he noticeably relaxed when he saw no Duncan on the Farley Hill teamsheet.

Losing the toss, Farley were unsurprisingly sent in to bat to face the wily Turgis bowling attack.

With Chris returning to the side, it was our first chance of the season to roll out last years successful opening partnership. However the hopes were short lived as the Skipper was fired LBW for 4, Simon spooned a catch for 0 and Chris slipped and was run out for 7. Suddenly Farley were reduced to 12 for 3 with their supposedly powerful top order all gone.

Ali and Matt then looked to settle things down and rebuild and we ground our way slowly towards 50. Matt unleashed some majestic drives while Ali curtailed his across the line instincts to present a resolute forward defense in solid support. When drinks arrived at the 23 over mark, Farley had recovered somewhat to 57 for 3. Certainly slower than normal, but leaving us in a solid position to push on to the 150 needed in the conditions.

However, as is often the case, the drinks break killed any momentum with Matt losing his stumps the next ball for 30. Peter Jameson arrived at the crease but, like so many of us on our Farley Hill debut, sooned returned for a duck. Phil joined Ali and the score continued to slowly accumulate – building towards reaching the magic 100 runs and a first batting point.

Unfortunately Phil is no longer the agile man of old and was soon run out coming back for the 2nd of what should have been an easy 3.

James became the third player not to trouble the scorers, and Potts soon also departed for 5 leaving Ali to bat with John and Pink to see out the overs.

John departed for 3 when the need for more runs became tantamount, but a few well placed clubs by Ali took Farley to 102 before Pink was bowled for a duck, leaving Ali 35 not out.

After a nice tea, Farley reluctantly took the field in near arctic conditions. With Trevor and Duncan both missing, James and John were entrusted with the new ball and both put in a tidy display – looking to make the most use of a typical “Farley Hill in May” track. James skittled one opener and then had their dangerous captain removed LBW to leave Turgis at 37 for 2.

Pink then came into the attack and some tight bowling enabled Peter to perform a highly un-Farley trick by firing the ball to Simon to effect a smart run out.

A Pink caught and bowled soon followed but Turgis had already moved on to 72 for 4.

Potts and Pink continued to strive for quick wickets, but a resolute Carl had come to the crease determined to get the better of his old side. Ignoring the constant sledging, he managed to hold his nerve and support their Number 3 to ease Turgis over the line with 6 wickets and almost 20 overs to spare.

So Farley Hill only come out of the game with 3 points (1 x batting, 2 x bowling) and now sit in 9th place on the Division One table.

At least the early finish enabled us to crack open the Rebellion and the Turgis boys did their part by staying back and helping us to polish off two mini kegs.

Apologies to the Sunday and midweek boys who will turn up to find the kegs empty…