We arrived at the home of the rurals and parked up down the road from the ground and walked (Mallorca tour style) to the ground. We opened the gate in the middle of a hedge to find a small ground with a Narborough Park style outfield (very hilly and bumpy) but a very impressive flat looking square. This truly was a rural setting fields surrounding the ground to all corners and a number of cows enjoying the match.

We placed our kit bags in the small porter cabin style clubhouse which comprised of 2 changing rooms and a kitchen. The usual banter about no showers and toilets was stopped with a pre-match warm up.

Captain Peter Kirby paced out to the middle to toss up and of course won putting us into bat, on his return from the middle he told us how the rurals had faired in their Saturday game 315-0 and then bowled the oppo out for about 75. The young Huncote side were wondering what they had got themselves in for but were happy to take up the challenge.

Matty Adcock arrived about 10 minutes before the game started as he had been for a pre-match run much to the surprise of most of the rurals players as he jumped over the fence and wondered towards the club house.

Let battle commence!! Dave H accompanied Carl Sommer to the crease to open the batting Dave tickling the first ball round the corner for 2 then a slightly wider delivery second ball was edged straight to first slip and Dave was heading back to the pavilion.

Carl was joined by his dad Sir Alan who proceeded to play some beautiful shots to all parts aof the ground and after around 20 overs they had put on a stand of over a hundred with both players nearing their 50's. Carl had slightly pulled his groin and was run out for 46 but his dad continued on to make a solid 53. Sir Alan was joined by the promising George Crossley who looks solid in defence and positive in attack. At the fall of Sir Alan's wicket young George was joined at the crease by James Brewin who proceeded to hit 4 fours from his first 5 deliveries (all leg side no surprise there!)

Young George was having a great battle with the rurals young bowler J Picker who produced a cracking delivery that pitched on leg and bowled him off stump to end his innings of 9. In came young Shane to bat for the first time he was a little nervous but looked very solid in defence if not slightly aerial in attack. He played well and hung around for a few overs making a good 3 runs on his first ever appearance at the crease.

Brewin now in his stride was joined at the crease by Liam McEntee, the pair began to distribute the ball to all parts with Brewin reaching his fifty from 23 balls and going on to make an ugly 79. McEntee continued to hit boundaries and was joined at the crease by Captain Peter Kirby who hit a quick fire 17 to get him amongst the runs. Finally young vice-captain Sam H joined Liam at the crease and after and early scare of being bowled by a no-ball went on to reach an impressive 1 not out!! The spearheads final total of 269-7 looked a decent total to defend.

Tea was taken and enjoyed by all outside in the sunshine, with the Spearheads arriving with 10 official players, and one injured one, the decision was taken by Andrea Sommer to help us field. He promptly stripped in front of the amazed Matty Adcock and fellow players to adorn some of her brothers spare whites, which she filled nicely!! The spearheads then eventually took to the field.

Liam McEntee opened the bowling and looked steady as did the 2 opening bats. Matty A opened at the other end and eventually got one of ball of his first over to pitch!! He found his rhythm and looked good for his five overs as did Liam. They were replaced by skipper Peter Kirby and Carl Sommer. Both bowled well with Peter taking 3 vital wickets.

George Crossley replaced Peter after he had completed 8 overs and bowled very tightly picking up 1 wicket. By this stage the juggler Dave H was replaced by the more reliable Matty A. Carl was replaced by Sir Alan for a couple of overs. Then a varied over from James Brewin to replace George. At the other end Sir Alan was replace by Dave H who bowled a tight over for 4. James Brewin was replaced by vice captain Sam H who bowled the rurals star batsman Gildove for an impressive 54 the crowd and the rest of the team went wild and celebrated with young Sam "cricket surely was the winner!!"

Young Shane was then given the task of bowling the final over safe in the knowledge that the rurals were not going to reach their target of 270. He also bowled well in 2 of his first ever games also claiming a wicket of the experienced A Burdett caught by James Brewin.

The match finished in victory for the travelling Spearhead side and a thoroughly enjoyable day out was had by all. A big thanks to the home side for accommodating us at such a late stage and also to Andrea Sommer for a good performance in the field.

MOM - Sam H just edges out Shane T, by the fact he is only 9, and the keenest cricketer in the world!

(Not much to choose between the 2 Spearhead youngsters!!)