Perhaps due to the Bank Holiday, the 12 players Sam thought were travelling to Ashorne had reduced to 10 by Sunday morning.

It is always a pleasure to visit Ashorne.
Their club’s website offers some interesting information:-
“The pitch is in beautiful a setting on the outskirts of Ashorne village. It is noted in Wisden for being in two parishes, the pitch in Ashorne and the pavilion in Newbold Pacey, separated by a brook which is crossed by one of two bridges. We are also in the Wisden archives for playing several matches against the MCC, the first in 1906 and the latest in 2006 to celebrate the centenary. On this occasion England Chairman of Selectors, David Graveney brought a hand-picked team for a glorious day of cricket.”
The purpose of the fishing net near the clubhouse becomes obvious when the big-hitters reach the above-mentioned brook !!

Arriving earlier than necessary, some Napton players walked into the village to visit the local hostelry for a glass of lemonade or ginger beer. Spiffing start to the day.

Ashorne won the toss and decided to bat first.
One of the home team’s openers didn’t waste time settling in and set about Mike and Stuart’s bowling.
The first four overs averaged 7 an over. It looked like there was a big score in the offing.
However, Mike and Stuart regained control. A couple of maidens by Mike and a wicket-maiden by Stuart to dismiss the prolific opener, via a catch by Joe, and the scoring rate was checked.
27-1 after 10 overs.

A nifty bit of fielding by Joe and an accurate return to stumper Tom found the other opener out of his ground.
Ashorne’s skipper, batting at no. 4, was beginning to get his eye in with a few boundaries until Sam found his edge for Stuart at third slip/gully to complete the dismissal.
59-3 after 20 overs.

JP, bowling as well as he ever has, got into the action with a clean-bowled.
Although wickets were not falling freely Napton kept the score in check with their usual committed fielding. New-boy Greg, in his first game for the club since moving to Napton, threw himself around to deny the batsmen runs that had been expected.
Gary also muddied his whites with an athletic dive, interrupting the ball’s journey to the rope.
Graham’s determination to reduce the run-rate was evident with his sprint across the ground and a display of gymnastics and juggling right in front of the pavilion. Unfortunately the ball had crept over the boundary !!
104-4 after 30 overs.

For the final quarter Napton were rewarded with regular wickets.
A wicket for Joe and a quick return by Stuart to Tom for another run-out brought Ashorne’s innings into tail-end territory.
Mike, brought back for his second session, saw three off with a clean bowled, a caught-behind by Tom and a catch by Gary.
The home team’s innings ended on 154-9 after their allocated 40 overs.
Wicket-takers:-
Mike Eadon 8 overs 4 maidens 3-17
John P Eadon 5 overs 1-10
Sam Sensecall 6 overs 1-12
Joe Alsop 4 overs 1-22
Stuart Alsop 7 overs 1 maiden 1-23
2 Run-outs

After tea, Ollie and Tom proceeded to the centre with a run-rate of just under 4 runs per over required.
Tom’s intentions were evident from the first ball he received – Wham! Bam! Thank you Ma’am! --- a six.
Ollie held his end up to support Tom in his punishing of the cherry.
50-0 after 10 overs. Well above the rate required.

In the 15th over, Ollie returned the first ball of the over back over the bowler’s head towards the boundary. However, the home team skipper ran, dived and took a spectacular one-handed catch that had both teams applauding.
Tom and Ollie had a partnership of 85 runs.
Stuart at No. 3 was settling in as Tom continued to build on his score.

In the 20th over Stuart received a ball that appeared to be way off target, but nicked a stump as it emulated the 1993 Warne/Gatting ‘Ball of the Century’. Watch it on YouTube. That’s the Shane Warne ball; not the one received by Stuart !!
123-2 after 20 overs.

Tom started the 23rd over on-strike with 94.. He took a single. New partner Joe then took another returning Tom to on-strike with 95. Tom took two paces down the track towards the next delivery and sent it over the rope without any bounces.
He retired and returned to the pavilion on 101 runs with Napton on 137.-2
Just 18 runs needed with oodles of wickets and overs in hand.
In the 26th over with 151 on the board, Joe ended it with a mighty six.
Napton 157-2 after 25.5 overs.
Tom Hancock 101 runs. Retired 16 boundaries inc. 7 sixes
Joe Alsop 23 runs. Not Out 5 boundaries inc. 1 six
Ollie O’Brien 20 runs 2 boundaries
Stuart Alsop 6 runs 1 boundary
Gary Speller 2 runs Not Out
5 extras