The pitch was damp and green and conditions were overcast. Beechwood won the toss and elected to field. As this was the last game of the season several players were missing and Beechwood were very grateful to Lee Bates, Lee Morton, Steve Crawley and Martin Bashford who were guesting for them.

Bates and Woodward opened the bowling and Fordcombe got off to a flyer with Keeler striking the ball very cleanly over the top, although neither bowler was bowling badly. Fordcombe had moved to 61 in the first half an hour when Bates produced a beauty to Keeler which he edged to Freeman at first slip. This caused the run-rate to slow quite dramatically and all of a sudden catches were being offered all over the place but none were being taken, particularly the one that Warner didn't see and only just managed to avoid wearing. Bates was bowling beautifully and Crawley was showing everyone his catching prowess, snaffling two catches off Bates.

Things were very evenly balanced and Boss came on to replace Woodward. He did not take a wicket but produced his best bowling of the season with some lovely flighted off-spin. Bates completed his five wicket haul courtesy of a diving catch by Bashford at square-leg, who then replaced Bates at the Pavilion End. Bashford quickly found his rhythm and continued to pressure the batsmen. Cooksley replaced Boss and Morton took a great catch off his bowling in the deep. Woodward replaced Cooksley who continued to have an impact on the game by taking a cracking catch at silly mid-off off Bashford's bowling.

All of a sudden Fordcombe were seven down and had only just passed the three figure mark.
Woodward produced a very full delivery that struck the batsman on the foot and left him in a crumpled heap feeling very glad he had been given out LBW. Fordcombe sent out their largest player to give him a fireman's lift back to the pavilion. Woodward picked up the final wicket and Fordcombe were all out for 134.

Freeman and Makin opened the batting for Beechwood and made a positive start before Freeman was caught attempting to play the pull shot. Warner came in and he and Makin continued in the same vein pushing the score along and sharing in a stand of 51 before Makin was adjudged LBW to a ball that hit him fairly high up.

Crawley was next at the crease and again the partnership started positively before he was adjudged LBW (one more and Trigger Happy TV would be on the phone). Bates arrived at the crease just in time to see Warner edge a good one from the leg spinner to the keeper.

Beechwood were in a spot of bother having slipped from 69 for 1 to 74 for 4. Woodward gloved one to slip having played a couple of nice drives and Cooksley was run-out. Morton came in and proceeded to show the opposition his favourite shot (the sweep), in fact he liked it so much he didn't bother playing any other shots. After managing to middle one he was bowled and Robinson came in.

Victory was still possible but 6 an over was needed. Robinson was superb, running like a man possessed and putting pressure on the fielders. He turned in the sort of performance that had both teams requesting that he take a drugs test. He even put the barracking Mr Boss in his place. He finally perished top edging the first ball of the final over to the keeper. He had left Beechwood needing four runs from five balls. Boss (or The Grinder as he's known) did his best but was unable to get a single to give Bates the strike until the penultimate ball. Beechwood needed three to win off the last ball but Bates could only manage two and the match was tied.

A great game to finish the season and a super performance from Lee Bates.

Team: Bashford, Bates, Boss, Cooksley, Crawley, Freeman, Makin (w), Morton, Robinson, Warner, Woodward (c)