This was our first match against The Legends and what an agreeable bunch they are. The fixture had been arranged by Robbie Lawson and not only did he get all 11 Legends to arrive looking fit and eager by 11.30 am, but his heavily pregnant wife, Alice, had turned up with a lunch that has never – and will never – be bettered at Stonor. The V&A were, by contrast, either running late, hungover or in the case of Nicky and Martin, off sick. By 11.50 am there was no sign of the 2 Sams and the decision was made for Robbie to play for the V&A (everyone knew this was a crucial moment yet there was not a murmur of complaint from the Legends).

Dennis captained, agreed a 35-over game, won the toss and decided to bat as we still only numbered 8. Robbie, batting at No.3 was called on early after a mistimed pull from Bird T. While Robbie brought a sense of calm to the middle with his fluent and elegant batting, confusion reigned back in the pavilion. With the late arrival of Bird A, Olly Bamber and the 2 Sams we were suddenly 12 players. It was too late for Robbie to join up with his team so Sam Asileau was asked to be a Legend for the day and did his bit by picking up a good catch and opening their batting. Sam’s catch was one of the few positive moments of the Legend’s fielding. I lost count of the number of catches they dropped throughout their 35 overs in the field.

I felt for the opposition though as Robbie was at his majestic best and went on to notch up 95 runs. At the other end Nixey looked good before getting out to a straight ball, Christiaan showed some excellent timing in his knock of 30 odd before being given out LBW, and Dennis hit a powerful 35 in no time at all. Jake came in at 6, hit a great late cut for 4 and then struggled to get bat on ball (to be fair he was still suffering from a late night chasing girls around some Clapham night clubs). By the time Sam Thompson finished off our innings with a huge six we’d reached an impressive 212-8.

Few gave The Legends any chance of reaching our target particularly as we’d pilfered their best batsman. After all in Jake, Dennis, Sean, Sam, Adam and Robbie we had a pretty formidable bowling attack. Although their opening pair survived the first few fierce overs from Jake and Dennis, it seemed only a matter of time before wickets would fall. And fall they did, a comfortable catch at square leg by Adam off Dennis’bowling was followed by a fine bowled from Sean in his first over. The surprise was to see Jake go wicketless – he bowled fast on a good length and beat the bat countless times. The only edge flew to Olly who did well to get half a glove to it. Olly had an excellent day behind the sticks, typified by a crucial run out in the penultimate over.

Sam replaced Dennis and bowled a very tidy spell picking up 2 wickets at only 5 an over, and by tea they were 4 down for 70 odd and behind the run rate. Tea was exceptional; cucumber sandwiches with the crusts cut off, home made cup-cakes and chocolate gateau. Alice worked tirelessly all day and huge thanks must go to her.

Adam entered the bowling attack after tea, and was dispatched to the boundary off the first ball of his 1st and 2nd over but took a wicket in each over. The rest of his spell was less successful particularly when bowling at their No 5 who’d begun to strike the ball very cleanly and had notched up an impressive 50. With the sun beaming down it had become a great pitch to bat on.

From the other end Robbie slowed things down with his off-breaks and took 2 wickets, but went for very few boundaries in an excellent 7-over spell. With 5 overs to go the Legends were 8 down and needing 10 an over to win. Jake returned and was smacked for 24 runs in 6 balls! Suddenly we were not favourites; their No 5 was still in and marshalling the tail supremely well. Then a crucial moment: in order to get their No 10 away from strike they ran a quick single which Olly was onto in a flash –he threw to the far end to run him out. It brought in their last man with 2 overs to go and 12 runs to win. ‘Stop the boundary!’ was the cry from Dennis but a well struck hook split the fielders and all of a sudden 3 were needed from 3 balls. Dennis was bowling and fired one down which missed everything and evaded Bamber’s grasp. They ran a bye which brought their No 11 on strike. It turned out to be their No 5’s first mistake. Dennis bowled the perfect Yorker and cleaned him up! It was the first time I’ve ever seen a bowler lifted off his feet by onrushing fielders. The Legends had come so close to pulling off a remarkable comeback but it wasn’t to be.

The close finish capped off what was a great day out at Stonor. Let’s make sure we fit in a fixture next year with The Legends – and remember not to take their best bat!