I thought the summation of the D grade game was a little short so I have decided to add few details on what was a good performance to date against the top side.

Clarky won yet another toss and put the House in to bat. Apparently a brittle batting order couldn't stand up to the pressure of the Reds attack. We started one short with the Prober missing in action. Wim was forced to put on the keepers gloves and once again proved to be a more than adequate replacement. Early on the two openers didn't look to bad, one was given not out off Delaney when he clearly got a thick edge and was caught magnificently by keeper Vanden Hil. This opener was soon run out as his concentration was clearly shattered. The other opener then tried to hit Guest back over his head but was caught by Leach doing his impression of the wiggles character, Henry the Octopus. Later this batsman was heard to say "I don't know how he held that, I was sure he'd dropped it. What a Spaz". Guest and Bickle then applied the pressure and with some great fielding in the covers and mid wicket by Vanden Hil (who had been replaced by the Prober after 35 minutes) the House soon slipped to 6-61. Young Ewen contributed with one wicket (the Captain) and some serious attitude, whilst Guest got two and Bickle one. At this point though their No.3 and No.7 put together a useful 60 run partnership which had us on the back foot. The skipper was at a loss and he turned to the only man he could, and the scene was set for "Freight Train" Vanden Hil to come on. Steaming in from the Playground end, he quickly had the No. 7 out, clean bowled with a brutally fast in swinging delivery. Watching from the non strikers end the no. 3 was clearly intimidated and next time he was on strike he fell to a similar delivery which if anything was even faster. The House had now slumped to be 8 for 140 odd and Clarky took the "Freight Train" off and left it to the others to clean up the tail. The "Train" finished with the pick of the figures 2-20 off 8, oh and Guest took 4 wickets.

At 5.15 we had 11 overs to face and Clarky turned to a clearly exhausted Vanden Hil and asked him to open the batting because Guest was complaining of back pain. Being such a team player Vanden Hil agreed and spent ten minutes trying to re-hydrate after his exertions in the field. With a competitive spirit second to none Vanden Hil faced his first over from the strike House bowler. The first ball was allowed to pass harmlessly down leg side whilst the second was dispatched back over the bowlers head for Four. The next ball was allowed to pass harmlessly over middle stump and the fourth ball was dismissed with a callous disdain to the cover boundary. The fifth ball was defended and then on the last ball of the over disaster struck. The ball pitched about 3 feet outside off and hit the only crack in the pitch and cut back knocking out Vanden Hil's off and middle stump.

Clarky and Bickle then took the day on to the second last ball when Bickle fell victim to one of the best outfield catches seen at manningham. At 2-19 we are in an ideal position to flog the House and take top spot.