We left the salubrious Balmoral Hotel in Nottingham in the good hands of Felix and set off for Stony Stratford and then Cheshunt (north of London). The weather appeared to be closing in on use as we approached the Milton Keynes area and was heavy rain fell as we pulled up at the. The crowds that witnessed the famous tied match in 2005 were not present as unfortunately a Stony Stratford Family had planned a Christening after we had booked din the day. With the rain it appeared that we would be watching the Ashes on TV all day, but with some luck the skies sort of cleared and the game got under way.
Through a number of rain stoppages, sunshine, playing in the rain and a reduction in overs from 40 to 35 and then to 30 a side CPCC's bowling and fielding was outstanding. Opening up with Tom Carden and Andrew 'Deefa' Davis the runs we kept under control as wickets fell. The most memorable of the early wickets has to be the outstanding snare taken by David Lang. Having struggled to hold on to anything all tour, Langy plucked a flying edged ball out of the air from just above his shoulder. With Langy snaring this and Tom grabbing a sharp catch off his own bowling this was TC's best performance with the rock on Tour ( ). Solid back up from Dean Storey ( ) and Ball ????? Michael Rohanek ( ), with catches to and stumping saw Stony Stratford held to for off their 30 overs.
Captain Ball sent Adrian Molloy and David Lang out as openers. David had come into the side for the injured Arthur Smith. A steady start, with Langy scoring freely between his legs, was just beginning to accelerate when Molloy, in an attempt to move the scoring along, skied a catch and was out for with the score on . This brought Toby Horstead to the crease to build another partnership with Langy. Toby controlled the innings and with able support from a steady Langy he began to accelerate the scoring. Despite the green low slow wicket the Stony bowlers managed to get the ball to bounce up to Horstead's shoulders who relished the rare opportunity to hook and pull the ball for sixes and fours. One hooked six went into the adjacent carpark, which prompted the local Umpire to advise Horstead that a shot over long off into the Croquet Club was much more admired at Stony Stratford. Horstead attempted to oblige but could only just clear mid off for 2.
During the CPCC innings a loud cheer was heard from the Stony Stratford Clubhouse as the CPCC squad celebrated bad light stopping play in the second test at Lords. It as at this point that we knew we were going to Lords to watch the 5th day, and with Clarke and Haddin at the crease there was a chance of an Aussie victory.
With the score on and having played the quicker men so well Langy's feet suddenly became stuck when facing the leggie and he was bowled by a straight one. Langy departed the runs stand with Horstead having posted his highest score in England of . Robert Minnett joined Horstead and was there firstly to congratulate Horstead on passing 50 and to secondly score the winning run in the 24th over. Horstead finished on 65 not out and Minnett on not out and CPCC had their third win on Tour for 09.
Mike Smith, former CPCC A1 skipper, was there to congratulate CPCC on behalf of Stony Stratford. Following the speeches the CPCC set off in possibly the most buoyant mood of the Tour, and why not after a rare win and the excitement of Lords the next day. The bus ride to Cheshunt Travelodge was pleasant and some fast negotiating procured the Bus and Driver to take a large number of us to Cheshunt for dinner (and to the Tube the next morning). Thanks to Jacko for going on ahead and checking us in at the Travelodge.
The days achievements were celebrated over Curry at the in Cheshunt, and Horstead then shuttled all back to the Travelodge in what was seen as a very appropriate use of the support vehicle. Many did not expect to sleep much as we were off to Lords!!!!