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     I don't recall why this game failed to go ahead - probably the weather as it wasn't that good on the Queen's Golden Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend. I was on holiday at the time anyway, I'll have to ask anyone if I catch them while sober!! That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

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     We suffered a severe shortage of players for this game, and sadly we had to cancel. It was one of those weeks (we all get 'em) where players were holidaying or had something else lined up. Never mind, we faced a new challenge the following week against new opposition Engelfield Green from the Weybridge area.

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     A new fixture from the CCC book, and a good line-up. A delay due to some of their blokes watching an Ireland world Cup game (plus extra time) left us with a 35-over match. We batted first, Johnno Greathead showing a good composure for opening and scored a measured 16. Matt scored steadily, albeit slowly in the face of accurate bowling. As he started cutting loose he was bowled for 33, Ben Pudney who followed scored a fast 12 and Neil Howarth rattled a good 28 in his wake. All contributed double-figure-scores to the eventual 141-6, even the not-outs were off the mark and looking settled by teatime.

     Requiring about four an over, the home side lost opener Calcutt to Craig Weston for 1, and their wickets fell at regular intervals. Arminer steeled himself against some good bowling and decided to hit out at a ball Barrett pushed through a bit faster, tucking him up for room and the lobbed catch was well taken by Tim Lamb. Smith at no. 6 settled in and started looking dangerous as he partnered Honeywell before Howard Turner removed both for 33 and 16 respectively. Dave Lamb mopped up the tail in a relaxed manner and West End had their first win of the season.

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     Ah yes, the TOUR!! Last year, Mount Hawke soundly beat us so we wanted a good performance. Batting first, our account was opened by Jay Walliker and Mike Lewis. Mike fell early on bringing in Andy Eggerton who settled in while Jay Walliker was run out on only 8. Virgin Tourist Ben Pudney now partnered Andy and together they put on a slew of runs. Ben hit five boundaries in his quick 28, including two big sixes and a lost ball before being caught! Kev Cheseman, Adie Lamberth and Tim Lamb pushed the score along but all fell in the early teens. Eggleton was out for a good 44 - his last scoring shot was a six and another lost ball! The rest of the order added to the final score of 182. West End’s final total was a commanding 182.

Mount Hawke's opener Anderson was unlucky to be given L.B.W. in the second over - the ball pitched outside leg stump. No.3 Skelton was bowled soon after for 1, Adie Barrett claiming both scalps. Next man in Looker dug in and grafted away, and after Osborne fell for a duck (Walliker’s second victim) Turnbull looked dangerous, finding the boundary with increasing regularity. It turned out he scored a near double-century the previous day. The partnership kept the pace up to the required rate – then Howard Turner removed Turnbull, who skied a catch to Ben Pudney. Looker was still there though until Adie Barrett forced an error, a thick outside edge going to Ben in the Gully. Mount Hawke’s innings ran out of both steam and overs, to finish only 15 runs behind. An excellent game all round.

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     Another game that went to the wall - I believe it was because they struggled with players, a situation that continued until sadly they decided to suspend the rest of their fixture card. Sunday friendly team's members are coming under increasing pressure for their time from a variety of directions, one of which is work as Sunday Trading becomes increasingly the norm and just another day of the week. Even the "normal" weekly work pattern isn't sacred. Some players cannot predict their working hours even a couple of days before the weekend - apart from those who can't be bothered, that is - leaving many a Captain and Vice-Captain unsure about whether they'll have a team or not.

     Not surprisingly, young cricketers are becoming more attracted to the more competitive world of Saturday league cricket and it's "must win at all costs" attitude. Saturday (or Sunday) league cricket is the direction West End C.C. will eventually be heading for. Survival Of The Fittest is as apt today - and alarmingly applicable - to the club cricket scene today.

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