Quotations from P G Wodehouse are copyright of, and reprinted by permission of, the Trustees of the Wodehouse Estate © 2012 The P G Wodehouse Society (UK)

Gold Bats v Kirby Strollers, played at Audley End House on Sunday 10th August 2008

In their last match of the season, the Gold Bats defeated the freemason side Kirby Strollers. The match was played in the beautiful grounds of Audley End House. The setting was one of which PGW himself would have approved. A spectacular Jacobean mansion, and lake, provided a backdrop on one side of the ground and a rich variety of trees formed the rest of the boundary. Only a high wind and a threat of rain marred this idyllic afternoon, but by good fortune the rain held off until the match was won.

The Gold Bats batted first. Skipper Mark Wilcox opened the batting and scored a quick 17 runs. Veteran Mike Savage scored at a more sedate pace before retiring having reached the agreed limit of 25 runs per batsman. Top scorer for the side was Ken Walker, who scored 28 before retiring.

Bowlers were limited to six overs each. Eight bowlers were tried by the Strollers without much success until Patrick Kidd came on late in the innings to demolish our tail end, taking 3 wickets for 10 runs. His slow lobs, aided by the large cedar trees behind his bowling arm, caused some problems for the batsmen. As a sports journalist, Patrick was able to make much of this in his report next day in The Times.

The Gold Bats' total of 158 included 31 extras. That 14 wides were bowled is almost worthy of an entry in the cricketing records.

After tea, the teams staggered onto the field again well replenished by the excellent chocolate cake provided by Pat Savage. The Gold Bats' bowling and fielding proved too much for the opposition, who were all out for 69 runs. Lineard their opener, with 27 runs, was the only batsman to score double figures.

The scores seemed incidental after a match enjoyed by everyone in such idyllic surroundings and the gratifying news that the Strollers were able to raise the significant sum of £500 for the charity Ataxia UK.