THE WEATHER GIRL got it wrong on the morning news –‘sunny spells and light cloud’ proved wide of the mark. When we got there ‘pissing down’ would have been spot on.

But it cleared and we got a full day’s cricket. In a 20-overs-from-5.30 game the NT won the toss and elected to bat. Lacking Adam and Roger (the latter on romantic leave) we were not perhaps as penetrative as we can be, but Olly Bett, Alex Singh (1 wkt), Trick (1 wkt), James Nixey (2 wkts) and skipper Martin Bowden persevered, with nothing given from the pitch or conditions. Big Mike (six foot seven) and David Lumsden, the NT’s openers, both scored 50s. A few half-chances were missed, James almost got a hat-trick, there was some fine fielding and throwing from the deep from the yoof element, and some geriatric stuff from the oldies, with Tony Bird spectacularly unimpressive.

The NT amassed over 200 runs, batting beyond the time when the total could be reached. All then it required was some dogged batting against reasonable bowling to force the draw. Patrick Cobb led by example, showing admirable defensive technique, the product of long years batting for the likes of Old Harrovians, Butterflies, IZ and the smarter clubs. But others preferred the swipe, and paid the penalty, although there were brief moments when Olly looked fluent. A noble draw was still eminently possible with but 11 balls to go and Mooro and Tony Bird batting, the last men in but both sound batsmen. Unfortunately Tony got annoyed with the close fielders, and in trying to lob one over their heads was caught.

But lunch was plentiful, and enjoyed – visibly and audibly – by a selection of local gentry, who appeared to have brought their own wine cellar.

Perhaps it is to the V&A’s credit that we rarely seem to excel at dogged defence….ours is not so much the Dunkirk spirit, more the spirit of Balaclava and the futile charge. Not for nothing is the Cavalier Ted Dexter our President, rather than the dour Roundhead, professional Yorkshireman and miserable bugger Geoff Boycott.