The forecast for the day was not great, necessitating a phone call ahead to CBH to be sure the game was on and travel we did.

The usual shambolic turn up occurred with Digger late, having pranged his car (thankfully not seriously) and bringing with him Phil (plus his kit) who was not even selected to play! It is always good to have support though.

The wicket was a virgin and looked an absolute belter and so it proved to be. Timperley won the toss and decided to chase a total rather than set one. Maddocks was successful early on bowling Kumar for 3 but this only allowed a good partnership to form between Stedman and Dhapte. Stedman was the more authentic stroke maker with Dhapte more rustic in his approach. Both were brutal against anything vaguely off line or length and with the quality of the wicket full value for shots was obtained.

Both batters benefitted from a little luck (missed run out opportunities and catches) but Dhaptes luck ran out when he hit the ball into the covers. Hickman nearly took a blinder inches off the turf, spilled it, regained it and from a prone position launched the ball at the bowlers end as Dhapte scurried. A direct hit saw him on his way for 48. Fantastic fielding.

This bought Pertyasamy to the wicket and both he and Stedman looked to pick up the pace and both scored quickly. Mohan bowled well to restrain the scoring rate and he was rewarded by getting Stedman bowled on 99. Pertysamy kept swinging to the end and finished on 56 not out to leave CBH done on 247 for 6 from 40. Mohan taking 4 for 50. A daunting total to be sure.

Having said that, Timperley knew they had the fire power to get close if they were patient and played each ball on its merits. Martin settled to task quickly with some lovely cover driving but Padidela was ejected from the party by getting caught at gully off Chapman for 4. He knew he had mucked up...

This bought Coad to the crease and both him and Martin had a run fest, scoring an unbeaten 2nd wicket partnership of 178 with Martin 84 not out and Coad 81 not out, both looking in superb form. At 189 for 1 and 27 overs bowled the leaden skies finally delivered, chucking it down and that was the end of that with Timperley ahead of the Duckworth Lewis equation. The CBH skipper Fisher bowled well but was unrewarded and was not helped by having to later undertake wicket keeping duties following an injury.

A good day at the office for Timperley.