Due to Pete being missing Brian organised the mini-bus. It turned out to have “Variety Club- Sunshine coach” in big letters on the side; at least we wouldn’t lose it! Several stops later we arrived in St. Albans and decided to go out for a few beers! Jack was well chuffed that we won a tenner on the lottery (for an £11.00 stake!). Mike made the ultimate sacrifice in agreeing to kip in the only double bed with number two son! Martin’s snoring resembles two mating warthogs and resulting in the captain spending the night asleep in the bathroom.

We arrived at the ground on Sunday afternoon and inspected the “wicket”. This was one of the worst strips ever seen by Dee Valley. Skip won the toss and put them in. The ball reared off a length or kept very low so we thought treble figures would be a reasonable score. Only Cathcart for Three Valleys offered any resistance with 37 and the innings finished at 98 for 8. Mike took 4 for 9 and Paj 2 for 7 including hitting Pleasants on the bonce!

Wickets fell steadily during the Dee Valley reply but Richie hung on for 37. With the score on 97 the last man, Paj came to the crease with strict orders to block everything and give Brian the strike. Unfortunately he got a bit of a lifter which he edged to first slip resulting in Dee Valley losing by one run! Despite the dodgy mini-bus, long distance and rubbish wicket it was not a bad trip. Tour shirts were issued on this outing with “Get yer hands off me Googlies” printed on the back to add that touch of class!