The great thing about the Gold Bats’ annual pilgrimage to Dulwich to play the Senior Common Room is the immediate feeling that this is a place where cricket matters.

We arrived on June 19 to watch the final stages of a match between the First XI and King’s School, Canterbury – both teams attired in blue (much more practical in laundry terms than flannels).

And a glance at the fixture card showed that Dulwich would put out no fewer than 22 teams next day, of all ages – fifteen of them against Eton. Plum would be proud of his old school.

The Firsts looked pretty hot stuff, and with a feeling that we would prefer not to try conclusions with the boys, we turned with relief to the amiable task of greeting old and new friends among the masters.

Danny Kent who usually leads the Dulwich Dusters was absent, his place taken by joint captains-for-a-day in Charlie Malston (Spanish) and Dan Stanley (Geography) – a farewell honour, as both leave Dulwich in a few days.

Bob Miller was unable to lead the Gold Bats because of fitness problems, but he added immediate authority to the umpiring.

The Gold Bats struck an instant blow when Mark Nash (Head of the Spanish department) was smartly caught and bowled in Lee Barford’s opening over, and the Gold Bats had visions of a Dusters’ collapse.

Not so: the next five batsmen thumped our bowling to all sectors of the compass, to such consistent effect that each was able to retire (compulsorily) on reaching 25.

Soaring sixes blazed their way across the skies, one disappearing over the Pavilion to threaten an impressive blue Jaguar parked by the building. Did it belong to the Master, Graham Able? – one Duster asked, with a mix of amusement and concern.

Players enjoy the magnificent Dulwich College setting

One incoming batsman had put his cricketing future in grave peril when inquiring of the bowler’s umpire: “Do I detect a touch of New South Wales in the accent?”

He was smartly informed that this was a grave insult, they were cultured Melbourne tones – and he had best not let the ball strike any part of his person, or he would be given out leg-before-wicket on the spot. (He took the hint, surviving to retire in due course).

The Dusters have enlivened the occasion in recent years by including one of the women teaching staff (it seems inappropriate to term them “mistresses”), but this year they fielded two.

Claire Malloch, Head of Physics, who made her debut last year, returned alongside Jenny Thomas, also of Physics. In the first game of cricket in her sporting career, Jenny demonstrated how hockey skills can transfer by swatting her first ball straight back past the slightly startled bowler, to much approval from the Dusters.

However she fell victim to the leftarm wiles of Julian Hill, who used captain’s privilege to come on as last change and pick up two for seven, while Claire managed to run herself out.

The traditional splendid tea prepared by Hilary Bruce, Elaine Ring and Elin Murphy, with assistance from Joe Selfe and consorts, is a social highlight of this game, the teams mixing – and munching – to a buzz of conversation.

This year Gold Bats and their supporters enjoyed the bonus of hearing first-hand reports from those lucky enough to attend the American Society’s convention in St Paul, Minnesota – including much detail of the unique cricket match played at these events.

The shadows were lengthening as a new opening pair set out for the Gold Bats – Chris Sotherby and Tony Fenton. Little good did it do us, as the Dusters set in motion a series of excellent catches – some absolutely top-class.

Opening bowler Pete Clayton offered a new angle to the somewhat dismissive term “French cricket” (he is in the French department) as he cut down our best and finest to the tune of three wickets for seven runs in his two opening overs.

Julian Hill clipped his first ball firmly to cover, who responded in unconventional fashion with an apprehensive squeak of “Oh No!” at being required to stop the ball.

But Jenny Thomas held on with decisive hands, and from then on, mixed squeaks with more determined fielding.

The middle order fought back bravely; Jon Corsan, bearing the double distinction of being not only cousin to the captain, but also a bookmaker (as Bob Miller suggested, Plum would have appreciated that angle) began a modest revival, backed by Chris Reid and Mark Wilcox.

For a time, it looked as if the Gold Bats had amended the famous (but apocryphal) tale that Hirst and Rhodes won the 1902 Oval Test after agreeing, “We’ll get them in singles”.

The Gold Bats’ version was, “We’ll get them in wides”, as errant deliveries from the change bowlers flew in all directions, to become top-scorer at 22.

Mark Nash and your umpiring correspondent hereabouts became involved in what might well have been termed an ugly confrontation, if the popular prints had been recording the game.

A ball struck with some velocity came rocketing slightly to the left of the square-leg umpire, head high – and with commendable reflexes and athleticism, I leaped to my right to avoid the whizzing projectile.

Simultaneously, Mark dashed to his left in a bid for the catch – and ran into the full force of muscular Australia.

The hapless fielder sprawled full-length on the grass without the ball, while Umpire Me remained coolly upright – to the great delight of the players, once it was clear no-one was damaged.

(And to those who suggested a rugger background in my tackling, I repeat the explanation given at the time – that in Aussie Rules, it is called ”shepherding”. Ah, you never lose the knack …)

Feminine wiles clearly were needed: Chris went lbw for the top score of 20 to Claire Malloch’s lobs (round the wicket, but pitching in line and straightening, according to the wholly satisfied umpire).

And Mark was smartly taken by Nash off a Jenny Thomas (over-arm) delivery, for 15.

Oliver Wise, Patrick Kidd and Lee Barford continued a late rally, Oliver striking out with such gusto that his magnificent ringed MCC cap fell off twice, and was transferred to Umpire Bob, who took the chance to wear it proudly.

The match was wrapped up when barrister Oliver usurped the judge’s prerogative by giving his own judgment, and marching off when caught at the wicket, even before the umpire’s finger was raised. It was a sporting gesture indeed.

Umpire and correspondent Murray Hedgcock

And the home team’s joint captains were invited to lead the teams off the field, to cheers and applause as they neared the end of their years at Dulwich.

There was a slight problem with the record: official scorer Stephen Fullom listed Oliver as tallying 16 runs, and Patrick Kidd, our favourite journalist, making ten. However – Patrick’s blog at Times Sport announced proudly that he had scored 16. Whom to believe? (Answers on a postcard, please).

Post-match socialising as ever was a delight in the splendid pavilion with its balcony looking over the lush turf, and the charming Dulwich setting. The amiable mood was set by Elizabeth Dunn, the school's deputy conference and banqueting manager, who kindly stayed beyond normal working hours to serve behind the bar. It was, and always is, a delightful day.

Dulwich Dusters – 165 (Malston 27 ret., King 27 ret. Middleton 26 ret; Hill 2/7, Barford 1/11; Kidd 1/12) d.

The Gold Bats – 124 (Reid 20, Wise 16; Claydon 3/7).