With much anticipation, the Farleigh Dad’s team arrived at Appleshaw on a barmy Summer’s evening earlier this week. The most popular fixture of the season, Appleshaw could have put out nearly 2 full sides but selected a team also dominated by those with Farleigh connections.

Under the pressure of a full house of supporting WAGS and trailing children, Paddy Bond and Rich Pearce got the match off to an uncharacteristically swift start with Pearce retiring on 24, having found form following a winter spent netting in Dummer, and Paddy gracefully carried the can when Harry Floyd was run out without facing a ball. Teddy Martin continued the onslaught and after retiring himself the score was further advanced by some middle order power hitting from Ben Horne, Charlie Barlow and Alistair Douvisin who won the Monxton bragging rights by launching the Boldty over his head for a straight maximum.

142 was no mean score to post, particularly given the uneven bounce and the rather long outfield, limiting scoring to either singles or boundaries.

Simon Henderson started the chase with gusto, before passing over to his trusted middle order of Millar, De Segundo, Yates and Young. With all sides attempting to serve up a last over chase in typically gentlemanly fashion, the Farleigh Dads hit the final run with just 5 balls of the match left.

All 22 players then retired to the Walnut tree for a well-deserved beer and to talk about their Lara-esque batting techniques.