James Barron and Damon opened the bowling. Out strolled their openers, and Leon was already offended by one of them, who took the decision to wear black air max 90s to play.

Luckily we didn’t need to look at them for long. Barron, playing in front of an expectant crowd (his Mum and Dad) took 2 quick caught and bowled wickets. The second of which was absolutely piped back at him and he showed cat-like reflexes to snaffle. A good showing in front of the parents first up. Despite this, the umpire was being particularly harsh on wides for him, giving everything he possibly could.

It is nigh on impossible for even the dodgiest of umpires to give wides to Damon, his line and length was perfect as ever.

Oscar then replaced Barron and got the ball talking straight away. Took two wickets, one of which involved a high catch that he couldn’t bring himself to watch. He explained that he’s had some tough luck with catches this year, but Jay was never dropping that one. A good spell from Oscar, who spent his resting overs making clever jokes from gully.

Metronome Damon was replaced with equally metronomic Beesley, who didn’t go for many, as usual. Bees eventually got his reward after trying both tactics with the umpire; first being really nice, then being less nice, in attempt to get an lbw. The latter of the two prevailed in the end. Not the first man to be scared into submission by Bees this year….

It was then time for spin on both ends, NT with his offies and Mo with his leggies. Nishant bowled solidly from one end, whilst Mo took down two of their set batsmen with some drift and dip.

After some bowling from sore shouldered Harry Bray, Jay decided to get in on the action and cleaned up their tail. Credit must go to Oscar and Harry Davies for some ill received, albeit tame, sledging that resulted in some loose shots from their batsmen at the end.

Ripley finished with a respectable 189 at the break.

Damon and Leon came to the party at tea with all sorts of goodies; including scones, a flask of tea for all, and sour squashies. Was quite relieved myself, as teas weren’t provided. Two real club men to the rescue once more.

As myself and Jay strolled out to the middle full of beige calories, we felt confident of chasing the total down. Unfortunately, we had another thing coming and were 3 down in super quick time.

Harry Davies was one of those wickets, and received quite the send off for a Sunday game. Captain Leon used the term “sense of humour failure” which I think we all agreed was pretty apt.

Baz Bray unlocked his own brand of HazBall for a period, providing some lusty cross-batted blows all over the park. Leon steadied the ship at the other end with some lovely back foot nurdles off the spinners.

But it wasn’t to last, and a Chris Silverwood era style collapse ensued. The less said about that the better I should think.

One saving grace for us was Damon, playing the Jimmy Anderson role of the experienced number 11. With Bees battling stubbornly from one end, Damon took it to their bowlers with a flurry of boundaries; which were met with equally thunderous applause from the side.

Once he had found himself comfortably as our teams’ top scorer, Damon eventually found his luck was out and we finished on a miserly 124 all out. Shades of Stokes at Lords last year, where a valiant individual effort proved futile in the end.

Despite the result, and the fact we don’t get to play cricket again for a while, the excitement from the Damon onslaught raised our spirits as we left Ripley.

Not to be this time. But what a year for the Plough and what a great bunch to spend our weekends with.

Until April, Plough on!

Match report from Angus Osbourne