As we drove down to Addington for our annual beating, I joked with DOC that Woody was bound to lose the toss on a drying wicket and we’d be inserted to face the music, and to make things worse ‘Finger Makin’ would volunteer to umpire first up.

We were facing a very young , eager, athletic and hungry Addington with no less than 3 Aussie mercenaries, in fact most of the Oppo could be ‘sons of Beechwood’; it really was Dad's Army v the Regular Army (even their wrong arm throws went further than our best efforts) , unfortunately unlike in Dad's Army there was no scripted ending.

So to the toss, after a long chat with the opposing skipper agreeing the 40 overs format,  Woody lost the toss and we were inserted - the Addington boys obviously keen to dispose of the old fools (sorry Val) and ensure full viewing of the World Cup final were whooping with delight!      

The old firm of Freeman & Kelly were knocking up before the expected carnage began, your correspondent then saw ‘Finger Makin’ don the white coat and commence exercises that looked alarmingly like his warming up his LBW finger, last seen in Austria disposing of ‘Dodgy’ Patel.

Then the script changed as Freeman dispatching anything short with his trademark pull shot (often played well by short men) and Kelly ‘nurdling’ some, put on 54 in 15 overs. Kelly then departed, enter Valentine, who with Freeman batting positively took on the Addington attack with attacking stroke play to see Beechwood to 101 for 1 after 24 overs.

Was this the year where we finally posted a competitive score ? Yes it really could have been, but then the usual collapse ensued.

Valentine holed out to a good catch in the deep, Hill played a shot about which the only thing to amuse your correspondent was the look on Boss’ face , McCrea, Robinson and Savory all quickly departed leaving us in the vulnerable position of 113 for 6 after 32 overs. So 8 overs, 12 runs and 5 wickets - brilliant, we were back on course for our annual beating.

Freeman departed after a well compiled 51, some good running by ‘Finger Makin’ and dashing stroke play from Cooksley (yes I did write Cooksley) saw us through to, in the circumstances, a reasonable 150 for 8 after our 40 overs. We took tea (where Robbo particularly enjoyed the pickle) thinking if Valentine, Woody, Savory and Boss got amongst them, well you never know we could rewrite history.   

Captains sometimes go on a hunch and hindsight is something we all wish we had, so at 39 for 0 after 4 overs Woody took off Hill and McCrea and it was back to basics with Valentine and Savory to take the attack to Addington.

We were up against two fine Aussie batters but  with Valentine (4 for 33) bowling with real pace, aggression and thought and Savory (1 for 53) supporting well we clawed the game back to such an extent that Addington went from 76 for 0 to 119 for 5, after the two had finished their 8-over stints.
Woody and Boss came on, Woody found his length and line immediately, Boss decided to go for variations, the slow and medium long hop! Unfortunately the two didn’t have enough runs to play with and Addington finished on 154 for 6 after 24 overs. A beating yes , but not the hammering we often get at Addington.

So to the bar and the World Cup final, and this is where I am sorry to say all Beechwoodians must hang their heads in shame as only the young Kellys and the DOC lasted to see the Italians lift the trophy. (Last time I saw a headbutt like that it was by ‘Finger Makin’ on Bossy at Freeman’s 21st)

So outplayed, outthought and outdrank, at least we can remedy the latter next week!

Oh I am reliably informed that Adrian will be available to face the Pinewoods attack.  

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

Final word from the DOC:
I thought the commitment shown last Sunday was under-par, and I was ashamed by the efforts of some of the members. Leaving after only one pint is a disgrace! There had better be some improved drinking efforts next Sunday, or the selection policy may be adjusted to reward post-match performances.