After dismissing Paul Weekes early on in proceedings, we were frustrated as Hornsey opener James Bull took advantage of being afforded two extra 'lives', having been dropped on 0 and on 22, to compile a well-struck century. He received support from several partners as Hornsey looked to march onwards to an imposing total, with their intention being to bat the full 55 overs allowed in order to both lessen our chances of victory and to increase levels of player frustration.

The position was also worsened as both captain and vice-captain were suffering with severe illness and injury respectively. Effectively meaning the last fifteen overs were spent with 9 fielders on the pitch. However, and somewhat ironically, these actually proved to be among our best overs as Les Edwards (5-92) and Dan Amedee (3-51) both bowled well, taking regular wickets and preventing Hornsey from reaching 300+

Hornsey were eventually dismissed for 288 from the last ball of the fifty-fifth over when Neil Tilley rolled back the years to take a good catch at deep mid-wicket and in so doing give Edwards a deserved five-wicket haul.

Unfortunately our batting line-up had to be rejigged as usual opener and anchor Jack Plumb was unable to hold a bat and so was at number eleven in the order (batting only if the situation required it), while Kyal Bacchus-Brown was still very unwell and debating with paramedics as to whether he should go to hospital. As a result Edwards and Chris Long opened the batting, with Tilley moving from number seven to number five in the batting order and a far longer tail on display than we are used to having.

After Edwards was dismissed trying to take the fight to the opposition, Neville Talbot was dismissed cheaply, following some good bowling from Jack Bruce, who took both early wickets. Then when Max Houlahan cracked a leg-stump half-volley straight at Weekes to make the score 49-3, things looked very bleak indeed.

However Long, having survived a dropped chance on 13, was rediscovering some of his best form while Tilley used his considerable experience in support as they began a recovery. When Tilley fell for a well-played 37 the total had progressed to 120-4. While victory was increasingly unlikely, largely due to the ten over differential between the two innings, there was still a chance of acquiring the winning draw target of 236. At that moment a pale Bacchus-Brown, having signed a medical waiver in order to remain on the ground, came out to join Long and the two combined excellently to keep the scoreboard ticking over as the game moved on.

Fading light and Hornsey's refusal to take off their quicker bowlers meant that a short delay for bad light appeared to have handed the winning draw to the visitors. But after two overs had been lost the players returned to the pitch and Long and Bacchus-Brown continued their fine effort. Hornsey continued to use their pace bowlers, when many observers felt the spin of Weekes and Tahmul Islam might have been more effective, and both batsmen took advantage. First an outrageous "Dil-scoop" for six by Bacchus-Brown and then a six over extra cover by Long crucially swung the momentum back to the home side. We achieved the required score for the winning draw before closing on 238-4 in 43 overs. After a magnificent innings Long finished on 117* while Bacchus-Brown was 48* following an innings of courage and innovation.

Ultimately this was not the win we were hoping to achieve at the outset. However, in the particular circumstances of the match both the overall performance (including effort, application and skill) and the eventual outcome were huge improvements.

Next week sees a tricky visit to Indian Gymkhana, not least because at least three regular batsmen will be missing, but this performance showed there is still enough belief in the side to get the season back on track.

The 2s found themselves on the wrong end of a damp wicket and a lack of application this week. They were asked to bat first by Hornsey, and a mix of good bowling and some poor decisions, left them 53-4. A solid fifth wicket partnership between Syed Mughees (29) and Sam Martin (25) strengthened the position somewhat, and some lower order runs pushed us to a final total of 144-9. As the wicket dried, it became much easier to bat on, and Hornsey took full advantage, winning comfortably by 7 wickets.

The 3s four game unbeaten run came to a halt away to Indian Gymkhana. Electing to bat first, on a poor wicket, they looked steady at 54-2, but five wickets for two runs put an end to that, leading to them being bowled out for 69. A spirited bowling effort led to five wickets being taken – Jack Ryan (3-9) continued his form – but was ultimately not enough, as Indian Gymkhana took the ten points.