It was a nightmare week trying to get a team together for Saturday, by Friday the nine had dwindled to eight with Keith hurting his ankle, Keith contemplated conceding the match. But the team helped out, Prasad brought along Saurabh Lamba, Andy brought along Rhys Westall and Seb Breadmore the son of ex player Scott made up the 11 in addition to Jacob Dore also making his debut. We were thankful to all these new players as each one played a key part in what turned out to be a very good St. Mary’s performance.

With Keith dropping out it fell to Tom Woodbridge (Woody) to debut as skipper. On a blisteringly hot day with the temperatures moving well above 30 the idea was to bat and avoid the heat. Woody though lost his first toss and St. Mary’s found themselves fielding, but a good toss to lose as the weather turned hotter as the day went on and Donnington probably had the worst of the heat to field in.

Woody & Nathan opened the bowling and both were very tight and after 10 overs Donnington were on 20 for 1. St. Mary’s had always struggled against Donnington’s skipper David Maddocks who can hit a ball very hard, he hit 13 off just 14 when he tried to straight drive Ali and Woody took an excellent running catch at long off, possibly a defining moment in the match. The Donnington number 4 Abishek Gawande came in to join opener Ian White who was  slowly ticking along. Abhishek tore into the bowling, he survived on confident LBW shout from Nathan but hit a quickfire 35 off just 27 balls and was looking very threatening when Jacob Dore took an excellent first wicket for St. Mary’s trapping Abhishek LBW. 81-3 at this point wickets started falling with regularity, another new boy Saurabh Lamba bowled an excellent couple of spells taking 2 for 28 and his wicket celebrations were a treat. Seb Breadmore also in his first match took an excellent tumbling catch at point and St. Mary’s wrapped up the Donnington innings with the very last ball ensuring maximum bowling points.

In reply Woody and Tom opened and moved quickly along to 93 before fourth change Liam Gilbert bowled Tom and shortly after trapped Woody. Andy was unlucky to get a low full toss first ball which he succeeded in chipping to mid-off and suddenly St. Mary’s needed 53 with wickets falling. Donnington probably for the first time sniffed a chance. Jacob Dore and Rhys Westall batted really well but their  running was always a bit dodgy and it was no surprise when Jacob was run out following a dropped catch. 37 now needed Prasad hit 8 from his first two balls then saw a ball bounce over his head, the next from the same spot didn't bounce and bowled him. This left débutantes Rhys Westall and Seb Breadmore to knock off the remaining runs without incident and a very good win for St. Mary’s.

Wally of the day: Half the team who contrived to turn an easy run out to two runs for Donnington as the ball pinged backwards and forwards without ever getting near enough to Tom for him to stop it.
Champagne moment: Woody’s catch to dismiss Maddocks, not only was it a very good catch but it was a turning point in the match.
Man of the match: Shared by Tom & Woody for their excellent opening partnership.