Beechwood won the toss and on one of the hottest days of the year asked the opposition to field in this 40-over match. Beechwood welcomed debutant Chris Savory into their line-up.The pitch looked dry and conditions looked good for batting.

Freeman and Cowell opened the batting and got off to a fairly comfortable start with Cowell in particular hitting over the top. Cowell was caught for a brisk 21 off a ball that stopped on him and it was already clear that the 'top' was starting to go on the pitch.

Warner came in and found the bowling that was being served was very much to his liking. Freeman was next out getting a leading edge back to the bowler but Beechwood were already scoring at 4 an over. Hill joined Warner and it looked like some big hitting could be on the cards but after several overs without facing frustration got the better of Hill and he was caught behind chasing a wide delivery.

New boy Savory was next in and he and Warner started to up the run rate, Savory hitting a couple of very sweet cut shots. At drinks (20 overs) Beechwood were going at 5 an over and looking at a big score. Warner by now had reached his half century having been given a life when a simple return catch was dropped by the bowler. Savory was caught at point for a sound 26 and McCrea came to the crease.

Whilst this was going on Warner was happily 'filling his boots' and eventually reached his century with a drive through cover. McCrea was caught attempting to sweep and this brought Captain Woodward to the crease.

After some initial 'calling issues' - neither batsmen being sure which rude name to call the other, the Rams managed to slow the scoring up and Warner was eventually bowled for 110 (his highest knock for Beechwood). The innings closed with Beechwood finishing on 202 for 7 off 40 overs about 40 runs short of what had looked likely earlier in the innings, due mainly to some fine bowling in the last 5 overs.

Cowell and McCrea opened the bowling and both bowlers quickly found their rhythm. Cowell took a sharp one-handed catch off his own bowling that a younger man would have been proud of and followed it up with a beautiful inswinger the next ball that bowled the new batsman and put Beechwood firmly in the driving seat. Cowell was unable to complete the hat-trick and McCrea decided to get in on the act bowling the next two batsmen to put himself on a hat-trick but was also unable to complete the job.

Woodward decided to introduce the 'spin twins' Cooksley and Boss but they ran into a Kiwi who liked to hit the ball hard and Boss was quickly withdrawn. McCrea was brought back and quickly re-established control bowling the Kiwi and the new batsman to put himself on a hat-trick again. His performance with the ball was worthy of a hat-trick but unfortunately he was unable to get it. Cooksley and Savory mopped up the tail and London Rams were all out for 88 off 22 overs.

A special mention should be made of Colin Robinson who was playing with a chipped bone in his foot and still trying to stop the ball with it. Who said there's no substitute for experience - Use your hands!!!

Team: Boss, Cooksley, Cowell, Freeman, Hill, Makin (w), McCrea, Robinson, Savory, Warner, Woodward (c)