Some members and guests decided to sample the Groombridge fare before today’s game, unfortunately this proved to be ill advised. The food was well below par and Lyn was most put out that she had fish cakes without fish. Needless to say she had this removed from the final bill.

We took the short stroll across to the ground where Woody lost the toss again and we were invited to bat on a green wicket. For the second week running we had a guest umpire, this week it was the turn of councillor French who was quick to offer his views that umpire Hare was correct in the ball tampering incident and that the Pakistan cricket team were in the wrong. Quite right sir.

Tony obviously agreed with my assessment on the food as his ended up behind the pavilion before he went out to open the innings with Kelly. Both started steadily despite having to endure plenty of vociferous appealing for LBW particularly from Stephenson who was to get more irritated as the match went on. Kelly upped the tempo with some lofted drives and he put on 88 with Freeman before being clean bowled by Patel for a fine 42. Freeman followed the same way 17 runs later which brought Hill to the crease with Warner. Which Brad would we see today was the question being mulled over by his team mates. To our astonishment he played himself in before launching the ball to all parts of the ground. This included a sweetly struck six which had to be retrieved from the station car park.

The partnership was broken when Warner was on the end of a dubious LBW decision and Salmon followed the same way shortly after to the same bowler our friend Stephenson.
Hill was then bowled by Izzard for 37. This left time for a short entertaining cameo by Robinson and a hungover McCrea. The final total being 177 for 5.

After a sumptuous tea provided by Beechwood and enjoyed by half of Groombridge we took the field. Woodward for once found his line and length straight away and gave the opening pair a torrid time before removing Spence for 17 with the help of Salmon in the gulley. Hill bowled four gentle overs from the other before removing himself from the attack complaining about a pain in his side. Tart! Meanwhile Colin was reminding everybody the football season was here showing off his vast array of fielding skills with his big right boot. Woody then removed Slade clean bowling him which brought the unconventional Patel to the wicket.

Bertie Boss replaced Hill and bowled all sorts of deliveries which included his own version of Barnes Wallace’s bouncing bomb which hit the ground four times before reaching the batsmen. Umpire French duly called no ball. Woodward then removed the dangerous Patel before being replaced by Savory. Savory was immediately in his stride and took the wicket of  Izzard with the help of a stunning one handed catch behind the timbers by  McCrea. A trip to the Boss vineyard the night before had no effect on his lightning reflexes. Boss then got in on the act with the help of a great tumbling catch in the deep by Salmon.

At twenty overs Groombridge needed 5 an over with 5 wickets in hand, which way would it go. Groombridge were batting sensibly and were on course until that master tactician Boss suggested to Woody that he should be replaced. Woody brought himself back on, different end same result as he bowled the dangerous Smith for 19. Next over Bailey played on to Savory and Beechwood were now on top. Woody then removed Piper with the ball of the match and Groombridge were struggling at 113 for 8.  In came the vociferous Stephenson and as in a Question of Sport, what happened next?

Stephenson gets a thick edge down to fine leg. Woody allegedly unaware of this lets out a massive appeal for LBW, Stephenson infuriated by this takes a single pointing to his bat reminding Woody in no uncertain terms that he hit it. Woody pointed out that this was the umpires decision not his. Stephenson issued an expletive and was duly reprimanded by the umpire.

Cooksley now joined Woody in the attack but was only needed for one over as a fired up Woody completed a fine spell of bowling by removing Patel and Sleat to give Beechwood a well deserved victory. A great team performance and at last a real captain’s performance. For the first time since Velden on tour we had the sweet scent of victory and Val will be cursing himself for ending his season early.

We then retired to the pub and it was a pleasure to see Woody filling everybody’s glasses although Brad did seem to getting more than his fair share. Several of us did have to listen to Woody exploits over and over and over again. Velden 2007 should see us place him in a room with dodgy Prashant, what a combination that would be.        

After a long time without victory we look forward to entertaining Old Pilotonians next week. This is your part time reporter signing off. Over to you Tweaks.

Beechwood:
Boss, Cooksley, Freeman, Hill, Kelly, McCrea (wk), Robinson, Salmon, Savory, Warner, Woodward (c)

Final word from the DoC:
At last the top five came to the party - where have you been all season?