The build up to the game was littered with threats and insults most of which were far too slanderous to repeat. The most anticipated clash was the demon Weenan bowling to the great embelisher himself Gerry Ryan but, unfortunately, this never took materialised as both parties fell ill. Gerry, thankfully, is on the mend but our great friend and supporter, Julian, is still in hospital - get well soon old mate, the whole club is rooting for you. The date for the great clash will be set when you get sorted - Gerry is running scared! It's probably just as well they both missed out as it would have been complete carnage if they had attended.

On to the game: due to late cry offs, Acton only had 10 men. As we had 12, I played for Acton, which they were happy about and Enfield even happier. Acton got off to a cautious start, being 20 off 10 overs for the loss of a couple of wickets. This prompted a conversation between myself and Tills along the lines of: we really need to get them up to at least 140 to make a game of it! This worked really well we got them up to 173!, (Nice one Tills!) mainly thanks to a typically workmanlike innings from Steve Basterfield and some aggressive hitting from Wurzel and the rest of the middle, including big belly Andy (who to be honest was miles away from the biggest belly on show). Overall, the bowlers did well for chaps who don't turn their arm over much these days. Steve Richards, Del Boy, Tim Burles and Antony Higgs all brought back great memories, with a few nightmares thrown in for good measure. A special mention to the North Enfield geezer who we spent the afternoon trying to poach - far too good for them was the general consensus.

So, a stiff target was set, made even stiffer with copious amounts of Peroni having been consumed. Bruce and Shrimpo performed manfully to put on 90 for the first wicket and the rest of the batting did well, with North Enfield Geezer showing he was too good for them with the bat as well. A nice cameo from Tim Burles, a contribution from Tills (whose verbal sparring with Wurzel before and during his innings got more abusive and hilarious the longer it went on - even I learned some new words). We got home in the end, in the 2nd last over for the loss of six wickets, with a flowing cover drive by Gavin Peck, whose impersonation of a lunatic greyhound running after the hare was a sight to behold.

All in all a fantastic and memorable day, and a reminder of what a great game cricket is when played in the right spirit. A big thank you to all the Acton lads for making the journey and bringing some top West London sounds; all the Enfield players and spectators; the umpires Kersh and Jay; Tills and Matt Cooper for their time and organisational and barbecue skills.

I'm really proud of both clubs for making it such a great day.

Oh, perhaps the biggest shock of the day: Steve Basterfield took a catch!

Shay Ryan