Work harder and be better. Stovold's simple dictum was fresh in the mind of the 2nd XI as they took the field having lost the toss at Stapleton. The warm up had been a joy to behold. Three direct hits on the spin had seen the warm up cut short and spirits were high. Manders had other ideas. His first over contained five wides and even more grunts. Hunty also dropped a tough chance at slip. So all in all a good start. Thank god for Spink. That long merchant of consistency...oh wait. Stapleton finished the second over 17-0 with 5 off the bat.

To make matters worse, Vir and Lord wouldn't stop talking. It was really annoying. Local resident Vir then forgot where he was fielding six times. He then turned the air blue six times. The skipper was unimpressed. The umpires believed him to be disabled so let it go.

Anyway Manders then turned up and Spink did also as we reduced stapleton to 17-2. Manders pinned one chap in front and Spink nicked the other off. Very well held by Leech.

Wides though continued and the 2nd XI only bowled 14 legitimate overs in the first hour. But then managed to bowl 11 in the following 26 minutes. Lord bowled nicely (but he should he loves cricket and has been playing non stop for 18 months) as did Cox taking the big wicket of their skipper.

Bristol were ahead but in classic fashion let Stapleton back in. We didn't do much wrong but their overseas (who isn't actually an overseas but makes Vir's accent look positively British) played well as did their keeper. At one point, we were staring down the barrel of a 290 chase and when Kinsey tipped a six over the bar (Spink to field there next week) the signs were ominous. But, fresh from his recent mishap Alex Morrison took the crucial wicket and Lord followed soon after with another.

Bristol mopped up the tail and Stapleton closed on 214 all out.

Unhappy with his performance the returning Morrison went to check his figures.

He then split orange squash all over Thommo and his scorebook.

Manders Manders Manders. You awful human. The guy gives up his Saturday to watch and score for us and you ruin his day. It has been agreed you will take him for dinner to make amends.

Anyway to batting. Again, it went well. Spink used that front and fronter foot with great aplomb (look it up Vir). Vir also looked good for 40 and the pair amassed 93 before Vir lost his middle stump.

In came Hunty. Out went Hunty.

New boy and Russian emissary Ward joined Spunky. They began to take the game away from Stapleton. Felix 'the cat' Ward displayed an MCC correctness that made Manders purr.

In the interim, Mr Paul had arrived with Mrs Young. Manders explained to Mrs Young what cricket was and how the game works. It's the author's opinion she is probably fully aware of cricket and didn't learn to much from Richard.

Just an opinion though.

Spink departed from 87 avoiding a jug. It hurts his back to lean down to order through the bar.

Ward made a composed 32 before succumbing to an excellent caught and bowled. Lord failed to back up his excellent four-for with the bat. He was LBW for an awful five. He should be better as he has played cricket non stop for 18 months and bloody loves it.

Kinsey and Browny finished the job. Kinsey sticking to his pre-batting promise of not getting out. He finished 1*.

Bristol had finished the job in 36 overs. A good day but much work to be done and plenty to improve upon.

Nice to get the win though.