As Saturday rolled around the second team had actually managed to get 11 cricketers on the pitch.  Some cajoling from Captain Clarky bought the General Secretary out of his self imposed retirement, some begging by the General Secretary managed to eek out one of his office mates and Collett’s last minute release from the nursing home allowed a return to the fold which all meant that the 2 Americans that Anjai had brought along and were sitting on the bench would not be getting a first hand taste of rural cricket in England.

Headley won the toss and Captain Clarky, with the aim of maximising his points, elected to bat first.  The opening bowlers (at least from a spectators view) served a sedentary pace of unbelievable accuracy (at least for a Division 3 game).  Both Richardson and Hufton who are usually fluent scorers struggled to get any runs on the board.  After 18 overs only a measly 45 runs had been scored.  The combination of accuracy and no pace on the ball frustrating the batsmen and putting the spectators to sleep.  When Hufton fell trying to push the score along Patel strode in with the intent of pushing on but he too found it tough going and soon perished.

Conan (Waller) was pushed up the order to kick start the innings which he certainly did striking only 4s and 6s on his way to 46 from only 18 balls, the Headley score had doubled in 4 overs and reasonable score now looked possible.

When Conan disappeared it brought to the crease the ever youthful Collett and the dressing room feared the runs may dry up but they hadn’t reckoned on his keen eye and golf swing timing.  Not only did he pick up some sweet hits through mid wicket, he also sent a beamer from the 1st change bowler back over the ‘keepers head to land perfectly on the unfortunate bowlers car for a maximum and most likely a £200 bill for a smashed windscreen.

Richardson who had been there throughout most of this departed for a well constructed 66 and some strong drives from debutant Wylie-Young pushed the score along well at the end and covered up the fact he ran out two players in doing so.  Headley finished on 202 at the 45 over declaration some runs short of the 220 mark but at least it was competitive.

The Woldingham openers were ruthless and determined, whilst there was no big 20 run over each bowler that tried was duly dispatched for at least one boundary an over and the score raced along at around 9 runs an over.  Hobbs, Waller, Wylie-Young all tried but failed and Captain Clarky declined the opportunity to bowl but in all truth was running out of ideas to secure the initial break through as Woldingham sailed past the 100 mark with no loss and so he turned to Hufton.

Hufton came on at the Car Park End and immediately started causing the batsman concerns as a few thick edges flew to open ground and some wide swishes failed to make any contact.  Pickering came on at the Oak Tree End to try and provide some containment and support to Hufton but was dispatched to all areas with maximum beings yielded to the leg-side boundary, the Woldingham opener making a well deserved century in the process.

With all hope virtually gone as Woldingham seemingly marched to a well deserved spanking of Headley Hufton struck.  A slight snick to the keeper from a ball that was a little too close to cut was all that was needed and the tears in Captain Clarky’s eyes underlined the relief.  Now the flood gates were open (!?) and despite only 60 runs required there was a ridiculous level of optimism in the Headley ranks.  Whilst the centurion was still at the crease his partners were falling like the flies that usually surround Bassi at the other end.  Waller had now found the movement he required from the Oak Tree End and grabbed a couple of wickets, one of which was down to a superb take and stumping by the ‘keeper Richardson, who saw off the centurion.  Hufton, still causing problems, was now getting to the level of unplayable and was shown total respect by the batsman who were happy to just pad out his bowling, but this didn’t stop him collecting a third wicket.

When batsman number 8 sent a top edge straight up to short mid on the game was definitely on but when Bassi dropped it (after juggling it 5 times like a circus clown) the games was a little more off.  It was probably the second last turning point in the game, had it been taken the fear of the ‘Hufton Wobblers’ may have determined the outcome.  Another top edge off Hufton’s bowling 4 balls later should then have been taken but Captain Clarky at short midwicket suddenly found his feet had been planted in concrete and didn’t even step toward the catch.  The heat from the steam emanating from Conan’s head standing on the Road Boundary at this shocking display could be felt in the pavilion.  With 6 runs required from the last 7 balls it was left to Captain Clarky to misfield the ball and let it run for 4 and hence put the game beyond a doubt and leave the Headley boys wondering what might have been had basic things like catching and stopping the ball been executed with a little more care.

After the game Hufton verbalised a post mortem on his bowling technique “It’s helpful to know your bowling weakness, mine is dropping short on the off-stump so I always have a sweeper on the offside boundary, but unfortunately our fielding weakness was on the legside between mid-wicket and mid-on…….”

Captain Clarky said “It was another mighty close game under my inexpert tutelage, but I feel as though I'm learning something every time I have the honour to captain this vastly experienced side. It will all inevitably come together at some stage; let's just hope the learning will dovetail together in time to help us in the upcoming relegation dogfight”

The Chairman stated at the post match drink "Calls for the head of Captain Clarky are a little premature as no doubt the end of the season will prove.  Alan has the full backing of the board and all the players, rumours of dissention in the ranks are totally unfounded.  I have every confidence that Alan will turn this season around.  In truth we don't have a squad the size of Westcott and Tadworth and so this season is all about consolidation and staying in the division and then increasing the squad in the close season".

An exciting but perhaps disappointing finish but nevertheless Headley secured more points than if the game had been cancelled due to lack of players.  Lets hope the fielding improves for the next game, with Headley now firmly rooted to the bottom of the table they will need to get their act together.