The originally scheduled Club 6 a Side was hastily rearranged due to only 2 teams being submitted. This in the end turned out to be a blessing in disguise as 22 players (plus substitutes) gathered at Chalk Lane under rather leaden but generally unthreatening skies.

Organiser Steady had picked two sides from those making themselves available and despite some questions over whether one side was better than the other, the final outcome was to prove that he got it just right!

James won the toss inside the club house and after considerable deliberation he decided to field first thus making the toss a waste of time as Sam would have batted first in any case!

Duncan and Russell opened things up and things were immediately spiced up by the opening spell from Nathan followed by some early sledging. Despite some quick runs the score was soon 35 for 3 with Matt Shore taking 2 wickets. Salman was a bit unlucky to pick Doris out in the field having hit the most towering shot towards the mid wicket boundary!

The innings was put back on track by the unlikely partnership of Duncan (44) and Mark Sayers (28) who took the score to 89 for 3 at drinks. Sam had expected a score of 160 and was hopeful of exceeding this.

However the second 10 overs were to yield only 52 runs. Stokesy bowled splendidly in giving up just 8 runs from 3 overs and James came on at the end to take 2 for 8 from 2 overs. Also joining the fray was new boy Rishi Gautam - after the first 2 balls (including a head high no ball) he settled down to look like a useful potential new recruit.

After Duncan and Mark departed only Mr E X Tras really came to the party with 30 as the innings closed on 141 for 9, including a no balls faced duck for Bradley, having spent most of the final over doing his best to avoid being on strike to Nathan.

James's side on paper looked the more likely batting side but found themselves 17 for 3 with Doris, Wellsy and Tony all surprisingly out cheaply. Akash and Alex did the damage with the ball and Michael had two catches, including a one handed effort away to his right to remove Tony. Mark Sayers also showed his bucket hands to the fore at the end of a tumbling catch in the deep.

The innings continued to struggle and despite 25 from Dan Rollo the score had reached 56 for 6 and a possible follow on (99 needed) was possible. Some useful lower order efforts however saved the day with Harry scoring freely with 27 and Nathan coming in late on to score an unbeaten 25. Sam Barker took 2 for 16 to go along with Akash and Alex's haul and Michael added a further catch and a stumping for 4 dismissals in total out of a final score of 131 for 8.

One of the largest teas in Cockfosters club history was then provided by Steady - so much available that even after being offered to the spectators there was still plenty left over!

Sam's team started their innings 10 runs in front and 9 overs in it looked like they would need a whole load more with the score on just 35. Michael had opened cautiously and the big hitting expected from the rest of the top order failed to materialise. However when Sam joined Michael the innings was kicked into life as Michael started to find the gaps and Sam simply went after everything!

By the time Michael was out for 42 the score had recovered to 100 for 4 from 15 overs. Sam was out shortly afterwards for 26, splendidly caught by Cue Ball. Salman then hit the first 6 of the day down to long on. The final attempts at quick runs were held in check by Nathan who finished with 3 for 15 and James who took 2 for 17. Special mention to substitute Charlie Edwards (on for the injured Duncan) who hit the ball very high but quite far enough! The innings closed on 135 for 8 leaving 146 needed for victory.

Akash and Charlie opened the bowling with Tracey Sayers now fielding in place of Gregs who was more in need of liquid refreshment! James (23) and Tony (20) opened up and had the side well ahead of the required rate. Tony hit a towering 6 into the hedge before he was then surprisingly dismissed - yet again to a one handed diving catch behind by Michael.

74 for 2 after 10 overs and Sam's team vitally needed wickets and started to get them. Most vital in this was Nathan's dismissal after a well made 18 - only to see the innings cut short by a ridiculous one handed diving catch by Russell off the bowling of Bradley. Sam as usual caused trouble and took 2 for 25 from his 4 overs, and when Alex Callan bowled Wellsy it looked all over as 22 runs were now needed from the last 2 overs with just 3 wickets remaining.

Matt Shore was soon stumped off a wide from Bradley but then runs came quickly thanks mainly to byes and wides as now only 6 runs were needed from the final over with Harry and the Cue Ball facing Alex. The first 2 balls went for singles and then Harry called through Cue Ball to one that had flicked down leg side only to see Michael hit the stumps at the non striker's end with Cue Ball short! Rishi quickly got his pads on and a further 2 singles were taken to leave 2 needed off the final ball.......Alex then bowled a wide down the leg side......and then bowled one that Harry missed though to Michael standing up, to leave the scores level as the innings closed on 145 for 9.

A highly appropriate finish - men of the match were Nathan and Sam with Russell taking the champagne for his 'champagne moment' - Jane then winning the raffle for good measure.

Steady finished off the night with loads of sausages and burgers which were quickly devoured and he deserves huge thanks from all who took part for making it all happen.