After an opening day defeat to Sinjuns , Vandals travelled across the scenic countryside to Horsley where their opponents had formed alliances with Send. Vandals were armed with their own new recruits in the form of Jinesera brothers Navin and Kavin.

On Eurovision day it seemed appropriate that skipper Buckell would take no time making his mind up and saying I wanna bat after winning the toss. A curious but bold decision on a wicket that was hard to decipher from the outfield - and on the back of the previous weeks poor batting display.

Navin and Sambo opened and looked at ease against a lively H&S attack, slightly blunted by the slowness of the wicket. Navin departed with the score on 20 after nicking to slip and was replaced by ‘Papa Tom’ who soon indulged us in some mouthwatering cuts and drives to keep the total ticking along. Sambo’s main course was the extra large stonewall defence which was working well and meant it wasn’t long before the fifth and sixth H&S bowler were introduced. It was here that Tom’s (30) feast ended, playing a loose shot to the leg spinner and again departing before getting his just ‘desserts’ . Ani wasn’t hungry so Connor was soon at the table and nibbling on what was on offer, much like his previous night in the bars of Waterloo.

The Byfleet duo safely navigated the next few overs and sailed on to 119 before the Vandals vessel hit stormier waters with the return of the Hunt brothers. Sean broke the breaches of both Sambo (39) and Gaz – who ‘nailed’ a top edge to fine leg – whilst Jarred accounted for Connor (13). Dan (15) breezed in and out with some pleasant strokes whilst the umpires were the undoing of Kavin and Giggsy, both lbw for low scores. It was left to the Powell brothers to bring the ship to dock on 176 with Woo undefeated on 18.

A nice but sparse tea meant some players coming out a little grumpier than others. The H&S overseas obviously hadn’t had enough so brought the kitchen sink with him and insisted on throwing it at the opening deliveries. After a brief ding-a-dong his luck ran out on 18 when Jonny trapped him lbw. Youngsters Hafiz and Hernandez steadily narrowed the deficit and H&S started to believe that victory could be theirs. It was not until they were on 92 when Woo (2-33) induced an uppish drive from Hernandez which said hold me now and Sambo safely obliged. This signalled the start of a collapse, Isaac soon followed to a splendidly taken slip catch from the otherwise hapless Connor, before the Vandals own 2G connection began to transmit. Gaz & Giggsy had control of the ball like a puppet on a string and soon wickets tumbled. S Hunt was as surprised as we all were to see one spin violently from Gaz whilst the ball of the day belonged to Giggsy who unlocked the stout defence of Hafiz. With Gaz (3-8) claiming two more scalps and Giggsy (2-11) another it was left to the safe hands of Dan to salvage another piece of horrid Connor fielding and execute the coup de grâce. H&S all out for 129.

Euphoria for the Vandals who celebrated with a post-match beer with the oppo which is a sight rarely seen - but should be encouraged - these days. Old Emanuel at home next week for the Vandals, hoping the beer tastes just as sweet.