The 4s went into this fixture with the very real possibility of an unrivalled 100% record for May. To help keep the prospect alive, Stick completed a full house of toss losses and we found ourselves bowling first. Perhaps not the worst idea as the under 11s track cut into the outfield looked a far better batting surface than the one that we had been allocated. As seems to be the norm, the Romsey batters came out swinging and got away with a few streaky shots before Al had the opener both caught and stumped by Poss in the same delivery (double fantasy points for each of them?). There were wickets for Roly, predictably with a swinging delivery finding the edge, and Nav with a full toss that Felix hopelessly misjudged, but somehow still managed to snatch out of the air. However, the home side plundered on at a run a ball. Until... the return of the lesser spotted Stick. Intending to just bowl one over to make the numbers work, the team refused to let him stop and he rattled through 8 overs, being the most economical bowler on the day, also claiming a wicket with a surprise long hop. Jamie then got the rewards that his earlier spell had deserved and he took 4 quick wickets at the back as Romsey finished on 243-8.

The home team did not provide tea as such, but an ice cream van was parked in the car park all afternoon, so with nutrition at the forefront of our athlete’s minds, we obliged. The top order were full of runs last week, so there was hope. This was quickly eroded when Nav didn’t get away with a streaky shot and Felix ran himself out by about 17 yards. Al and Finty rebuilt, but the run rate was getting away from us. Only Paul found any fluency to top score with 46* before some textbook Postle strokes guided us to another batting point, but ultimately a fifth consecutive defeat and our 100% record preserved. Many thanks to Mr Trussler for doing a bit of umpiring on the day. Same time next week?