They say a good match report is like a fine wine…and I’m hoping that’s the case for this one, as I’ve let it rest for three days and I’m not sure it’s getting any better. Vintage - this game was not. Earthy with hints of raspberry? Calm down, Oz Clarke (one for the teenagers) - this writer is not one for flowery metaphors (not today anyway). If anything, this match was more like that dusty bottle of Bulgarian wine you won in a school tombola that’s sat on the shelf for ten years - it doesn’t look great, it’s weirdly hot, and it leaves a bitter taste in the mouth.

There was great debate about what to do if we were to win the toss, which was time well spent as Adam lost anyway. There was not so much debate from their captain who eagerly opted to bat in just-shy of thirty degrees, and into the field we went.

Some would call a first ball bouncer a bold stratagem, but you can’t argue with results as Jamie’s first ball produced a wicket - the opener gloving it to Hannah behind the stumps. We were off to a flyer. Another followed soon after for Jamie - the number three with a thick edge to Adam in gully. Syed plugged away at the other end, not going for much but not getting his rewards either.

Pramod and Adam came into the attack, Pramod with a clean bowled against their captain and putting Bray in a tidy position. However, their secret weapon was their young number 4 batsman who showed us all how to do it with a level-headed display of shot selection which brought things back for his team. Adam fought back with his one good knee, tempting their number 5 into playing it early and up into the air it went. Well Adam must have had more painkillers than we realised as he bellowed “catch” when it was coming straight for him. Maybe it was an out-of-body experience, but he actually took it and chalked up another wicket for the Bray.

Things mellowed from that point, with a strong 100 partnership formed by the two OA batsman. There wasn’t a lot on offer, but we plugged away. As the batters tired, Jamie and Syed came back into the attack at the end of the innings. A running mix up gave Hannah the opportunity, who with quick-thinking threw the ball to run out the batsman at the bowler’s end. Syed took the other batsman who had caused us difficulties, and Jamie got a final wicket to add another bonus point to the mix. A few ‘what ifs’ in the mix, but ultimately a respectable 170/7 from a well-fought innings.

And now, our innings. The great Ernest Hemingway said: “All you have to do is write one true sentence. Write the truest sentence you know” Well - thanks for the advice Ernest, but I’m not sure that’s wise. Let’s just say this: we didn’t bat well.

It didn’t start well when a leading edge from yours truly in the second over set the standard. Nas and DK followed soon after, DK putting on a few respectable runs and a couple of nice looking boundaries. Harrish chipped another leading edge up for catching practice and we were 4 down. Syed and Pramod steadied the ship - Pramod playing some lovely shots, while Syed did his best Kane Williamson impression with a host of late cuts to bleed runs from the oppo.

Things didn’t last much longer once they were out, and we were done before the second drinks break. 89 all out.

Match reports, like a fine wine, are better enjoyed (and written!) in the sunshine of a win. We don’t always get to drink from the keg of glory, but that’s what makes it taste even better when we do win - and with next week’s crucial halfway point of the season looming, it’s something to hopefully look forward to.