(acknowledgements to Peter Townsend)

Sunday 2nd September at Eymet: weather, pitch and cricket all very fine. Very vocal support echoing out from the grandstand! Both sides quickly learned that, on Eymet’s surface, you have to run very hard to turn a single into 2; and you have to wallop the ball to reach the boundary. Tarn batted first and got to a very useful score of 175 for 4, in 40: Chris West (45), Nasir (36) and Zeeshan (32) scoring. USCA were for quite some time pegged back behind the required rate before, crucially, three catches and a stumping went astray. The only USCA wicket to fall was that of opener Malinga on 97 (lbw to Jitesh); partner Damien made 55 not out and dramatic 6 won the game, in only 33 overs.

Trophies and medals were distributed by the manager of Barclays branch in Bergerac (who also dispensed excellent champagne!); and presents went to all the people who worked hard to put the show on.

So, finally, no clean sweep for Tarn. Taking only the one USCA wicket was perhaps poor reward but they learned an awful lot from the match and their performance so impressed the president of USCA that he insisted that north-south games ought to feature as a regular part of the cricket calendar.

More treats in store for cricket-lovers in 2008, including those in and around Catus (near Cahors) where a brand-new pitch is formally opened for business by the Mayor on 23rd September.

Following that, Catus come up to meet Eymet 30th September - a long journey but Eymet plan to make it all worth while!