The other fact you need to be aware of is I do not have reference to the scorebook - this report is from memory. Unfortunately between Dom Pilgrim (our opening bowler and score master) and myself we contrived to leave the said book at Highgate.

Anyway, on to the game. Having started late due to the Ireland v Spain match (notice how our world revolves around the World Cup), we found ourselves fielding first. The wicket bore a striking similarity to a garden Alan Tichmarsh was about to start a project on. Highgate's captain and groundsman, the aptly named Dick, had prepared a "dog".

We unfortunately continued our recent trend of spurning catches. From memory another four or five went down, with the luckless Mark Naisbitt once again being the main unlucky bowler.

Dave Cattell took our first wicket when Highgate's young opening batsman trod on his stumps trying to hook a flyer off the dodgy track.

This brought Highgate captain "Dick" to the wicket (the departed's father). Traditionally this man has given us many boring hours in the field as he has ground out runs against us.

In fact, twice he has had the gall to retire himself, either "bored" or "unable to get myself out". When we dropped him on 11, we felt another gruelling afternoon looming - we were not disappointed.

He eventually declared the innings not out on 45, having bored us with both his batting and inane comments, and having kept us in the field for 49 hot dull overs.

None of our bowlers (Pilgrim, Golding, myself plus those mentioned above), managed to make inroads on a regular basis, and Highgate's lethargic 156-6 was probably 30 or 40 too many, bearing in mind the track.

Vernon and Herlihy were reunited at the top of Sundowns innings. They prodded around for a while before Smiler Herlihy was first out. The Highgate bowling was accurate and the ball was moving about on the lush wicket.

Poor old Andy V was struggling to lay much wood on leather, but was steadfastly refusing to give his wicket up. At the other end Paulo Manzi was soon out, leaving yours truly to come in and try to pick up the pieces.

I soon realised the bowling was accurate and 157 was a tough target.

Andy V eventually surrendered his wicket, which left me batting with Jan Krypner (making his 2002 debut). Jan's skills lay squarely on the fairways, and not necessarily on the cricket field. After surviving by getting his bat on the straight ones and missing everything else (an admirable quality), I tested his running skills. Unfortunately for Jan this was his demise, run out for 0, by several yards!

Skipper Mick McGowan joined me at the wicket, Sundowners needing a partnership from their two highest scoring batsmen so far this season.

Mick obviously had his mind on other matters, and promptly deposited a full toss down deep mid-wicket's throat for his first duck of the season.

Meanwhile at the other end I was progressing my innings in sixes and fours, mainly against Highgate's 12-year-old swing bowler Rohan. He bowled five good balls an over and, luckily for us, a leg-side full toss allowing me to capitalise.

Needing about eight an over from the last 10, I decided on one risk too many and holed out to cover, for 45.

A tired Dave Reed replaced me who (12 hours in the pub celebrating England's win over Denmark) clearly had batting out for a draw on his weary mind.

He was defending well when the bowler, Syeed, turned and released the ball before Dave was ready. It struck his bat and streaked through the slips producing one of those tiresome comments from "Dick" who was standing at first slip: "That's the best shot you've played all day."

Dave, taking umbrage, proceeded to advise Dick where he might deposit his bat if he continued with more drivel. This was probably the most exciting point of our innings!

We nearly managed to hang on for the draw, but the limpet like Naisbitt, batting in partnership with Pilgrim snicked the seventh last ball to slip - all out for 97, resulting in our first loss of the year.

Oh well, I suppose it had to happen sometime. Like England.

On to the days winners and losers;

The Winners:
Few and far between I'm afraid in a lack lustre performance

The Losers:
All those who dropped catches (Dom, Jan, Mick….the list goes on)
The five men who contributed big fat 0s to our innings - you know who you are!

In summary, we need to tighten up our fielding if we are to start winning again.

Next week we take on Harrow St Mary's, back at our home ground, Southover. Tune in to see whether the fielding has improved and whether we can get back to winning ways.