AEAT v Carib Beer XI - 29th June 2006 - Regents Park.

The annual Mr Haigh & the Carib Beer X vs AAET Old Boys grudge match ended in triumph for the Carib Boys.

The boys & (Ringer Ms Boyton) in black and blue were missing key bowler Mr Rogerson, last weeks partnership breaker Mr Harris, the witty Mr Gooch and the now seriously lacking in dedication Mr Weaver. A number of talented ringers were once again drafted in to make up the XI.

The game started with AAET batting & looking to post a total in excess of 100 in their 20 overs. However, Ringer Turner had other ideas and took wickets with the 5th and 6th deliveries of the innings, leaving on a hat trick for his next over. After another wicket fell to Mr Cordey in the second over, Mr Haigh made a baffling decision. Ringer Turner was sensationally removed from the bowling attack - one can only assume that Mr Haigh wants the acclaim of first Carib Beer Hat trick to himself.

The innings continued with Mr Cordey and Ringer Fuller taking occasional wickets, but the impressive Rob Moss kept the run rate ticking over for AAET.

Mr Haigh brought himself on to bowl at the death and promptly got hit for 13 from a single over, including a 6 which Ringer Ford made an excellent effort to catch at the ropes. Ringer Turner was finally allowed his hat trick delivery, with the batsmen set, a defensive field with no catchers and no “Oooooooooooo” from the crowd as he ran in. To Mr Haigh's relief it ended up as a bye.

Admirable fielding throughout the innings from the Carib boys and girl helped keep the score to 96-8 with Rob Moss getting an excellent 42.

The Carib reply started briskly with Mr White and Mr Willis getting 12 from the first over. However, it’s fair to say that Opposition Read will spend the rest of the season working on his line. Wickets fell steadily as the innings moved on but most of the batters contributed something so the score was also ticking over.

Mr Berry, who was Carib's best fielder last week, didn’t bother turning up until the fielding had finished this week. A golden duck meant his involvement in the game lasted only one ball. This delighted team mate Mr Willis, who has now passed the ‘goldie’ baton back to its rightful home. Mr Berry spent the rest of the game on the sidelines throwing a ball up and catching it – perhaps trying to prove his worth to the Carib selectors.

Excellent knocks from Mr Haigh and Ringers Turner and Fuller quickly gained the runs required to leave the home team winners with 3 wickets and 3 overs to spare. In truth this was greatly helped by some poor fielding from AAET, so the whole team were credited with the Monty Panesar fielding award.