; Report by Nigel Jones

They say the test of a team is to win ugly, and for the second time in three games Eymet managed to win a game while playing at 70% of their capacity. I don't know if that's a compliment or a criticism! 

After a three-week lay-off Eymet were a little rusty and it showed. Battersea had a nicely varied opening attack combining a genuine quick left-armer. Bill Rhodes soon departed followed by David Horlock who lobbed uncharacteristically to mid-off. Nigel played a couple of nice shots for 18 before playing loosely round one. Consequently, we were 34 for 3 after 10 overs. More trouble as we lost Tom Hinds, so the mantle was left to Sam Harrell and Marcus Swift. Sam played the anchor role but, to be fair, did not see much of the face. Broad-shouldered Marcus Swift smote a beefy 22 at more than a run a ball. Then suddenly they were both gone. At the 30-over stage we were 114 for 7. Veterans Glyn Taylor and Mike Stratford rebuilt the innings, Mike making 21 not out. Vince Morgan allowed us to finish on a high note as he clubbed 19.  With their smart shirts and black caps the rather dapper and athletic Battersea boys had restricted us to 136 for 8 off our allotted 35 overs - probably 30 or 40 runs below par.

We soon discovered that stroke-play was not their objective as, in reply, they laboured to only 18 off 10 overs. Vince and Nigel bowled good opening spells and keeper Sam held a snorter off Nigel to give us our first wicket. Vince was then denied by an award-winning performance from Sam who, in running forward to catch a top edge, essayed to chuck it back to the bowler ODI-style. The ball dribbled along the ground and opposition and umpires cast doubt on the control of Sam's catch – result no wicket ! Battersea continued to defend and limped to 46 off 20 overs. By now, our hopes were well and truly up as the asking rate had reached six an over. Terry Bishop gave a master-class in controlled bowling and at the other end Martin Smith kept his cool and snapped up the second wicket. However Battersea wobbled along somewhat aided by our poor catching. Opener Warman (47) was joined by the dangerous Machrell who was the first to put bat to ball and looked like winning the game for them. Things were in the balance at 81 for 4 off 25 overs. David recalled Nigel and almost immediately Bill caught the danger-man Machrell at mid-off. A slump followed as Battersea collapsed to 97 for 7 off 30 overs. Then Thorpe decided to follow Machrell's example and swung his bat with vigour. 32 were required off the last 4. Runs flowed but Vince grabbed a deserved wicket. Poor Martin got the 'honour' of the last over. They ran 2; then a four bounced off an Eymet knee and over the boundary. Two required off the last ball. The firefighter kept his cool and speared the ball straight; Thorpe biffed; Marcus swooped and returned from square-leg. Thorpe was run out going for the winning second run. The scores were tied.
How we got out of jail I don't know. But it made for another exciting game of cricket. We batted like England (good starts not consolidated) and were indebted to our later batsmen for a decent score. Our fielding was below par but we did bowl well and it was probably that, combined with Battersea's unwillingness to attack, which won it for us in the end.

As usual the finer points of the game were discussed with the sociable Battersea over a nice cold beer provided by our generous sponsors L'Epicerie Anglaise, the English Shop in Eymet (rue du temple).