The day started with a mixture of the old and the new both in players and the opposition: the Nomads were an unknown entity to us all.

Several key Pilgrims were absent due to an unfortunate stag party for the club captain – surely the lamest excuse yet for missing an important game.

It’s always great to play at a new ground and everyone arrived safely, though Egon decided to check out Twickenham’s restaurant fare en route!

The day was the hottest of the year so far so we were expecting some serious tanning time out in the middle as the stand-in skipper won the toss and elected to bowl (seemed best, just in case, and in keeping with Tabard traditions).

We set an aggressive early field and with some very tight bowling from Xero and The Bishop, straight and true, we had the Nomads on the ropes at around 30 for three. When the heat demanded fresh bowling legs, Hansie and Tipple kept it tidy but a decent partnership was developing – only to be broken, however, by the second “retired hurt” of the season (these definitely should be counted towards the bowler).

Nomads’ progress was slow but quickened towards the end and after a couple of quick wickets, tea was taken at 156 for seven declared.

Tea was a modest affair but the banter was jovial and we were keen “to get up and at ’em.”

Our batting line-up looked menacing (though possibly more Dennis the Menace than Doberman): Egon’s effort did not live up to the Lord’s sessions earlier in the pre-season but one can see an opener in there somewhere; Boris, clearly invigorated by his recent success in the London elections, was spot on with some excellent stroke play, but LBW looks like being his downfall this season; and Tipple, showboating to “the family,” chipped in with a brisk 20.

Unfortunately, some poor shots indicated another middle order collapse might be on the cards. But some slow and steady batting by “El Capitain” backed up by Boris and “the Worrier” saw us over the line. There was a sniff that we could pull off a shock result but we achieved just 16 of the required 17 in the last two overs.

Some may say the game was closer than a nun’s chuff (excuse me? Ed.).

A wonderful day out and definitely a great team to play against. They even tried to fine the captain in court for not walking on an LBW. The fines were minimal (thanks Trout!)