Faire vs Barely Bluies - Report

Wimbledon, Henley, Faire vs Barely Bluies - the English summer sweats class. And the fans that flocked to Regent's Park Oval were treated to a classic.

The rain that threatened to defecate on this match like a voter on Facebook did not materialise, and skipper Stobbs min inserted the Bluies at 12.57pm.

Opposition captain David Watkins selflessly opened the batting, and after being given a West Indian hello by birthday boy Kippy Potter, got into his stride. No number of maternal references perturbed the young Devonian, and he moved swiftly onto 23 before on-driving Greg Potter to mid-wicket where brother Marcus clung on.

Two balls later Stopford flashed the youngest Potter to the gazelle-like Ruairi Bowen and the Bluies were reeling at 39/2. But Proctor and Rudge (50) steadied the ship, then Hunt (21) and Singh (20*) attached a motor to it, to post a strong Bluies total of 172. Pyrotechnics from Bowen (2-15) and G Potter (2-29), and another wily spell from Kanagasooriam (2-37), had been undone by social bowling from Stobbs mi et al, and Faire ate their flapjacks in silence.

M Potter and C Stobbs opened up for Faire, and both were respectful of the first 17 overs. Stobbs ma (30) again looked good, and when Potter (46) effortlessly deposited Hunt over long-on Faire looked in the mix. But the Blueis aren't feared all over Stockwell for nothing. Not since 'Nam has the slow grenade been employed to such devastating effect, and even Stobbs mi (43) couldn't repel them to the boundary. As the run-rate climbed, Scarlett, Stobbs min and Stephen fell on their swords, whilst Warner was pushed. Faire finished on 157/9 and Watkins proudly took possession of the Barely Faire Game Trophy.

So, a wake-up call for Faire, and the squad will be checking their inboxes with trepidation this week for news of remedial nets.