For the first time we agreed to travel on the Saturday and play on the Sunday, which made life interesting! York has plenty of real ale pubs and curry houses, most of which were visited at some point by Dee Valley. Rich decided to add to the décor in one particular restaurant!

We were a little shocked by observing (what we thought at the time was the York team) a very fit and athletic side limbering up an hour before the start. Fortunately it turned out to be Acomb youth team preparing for an away fixture! Not a lot of beer was consumed that lunchtime, apart from Jonesy who had two pints and a full Sunday lunch.

Their captain (Mark Wride) was obviously concerned at our ability as he played the old “Everybody bowls/ no LBW” ploy, which suited us. Dee Valley batted first with Richie and Mike putting on 53 for the first wicket. Rich was suffering more than most as he informed the captain that he could see three balls, to which Mike replied “hit the middle one”. He did, and retired on 50! Despite it being a large outfield, James batted at six and hit two fours and a six from his first five balls in his score of 43. John also contributed wit a quick 30. At close of innings the score was 209 for 6.

Steve was the pick of the Dee Valley bowling taking 5 for 15 and buying a jug! The best moment came when one of the York batsmen came in waving his bat in a cocky manner. The result was James coming off a thirty yard run to five slips, two gullies and just one fielder in front of the bat! His cockiness disappeared as he stepped back and asked us to move the sight-screen! York innings closed on 92 all out. It was, once again really enjoyable and the York Water lads were a good crowd.