The Royal Engineers lost the toss and Brother Robinson inserted them into bat confident that his well-balanced team would restrict the run flow and chase down whatever target was set. Brother Richardson and Cornwallis put early pressure on the opening pair and beat the bat on a number of occasions. It was Brother Cornwallis who made the early breakthrough, bowling into a strong wind the lithe fast bowler got the ball to jag back off a good length and trap the opening batsmen L.B.W.
B.B pressed for a further breakthrough through the bowling of candidate Collingwood who impressed with his tight lines however he was unable to hang onto a sharp caught and bowled chance. It was the introduction of Brother Robinson which set the tone for the day for both sides, in his first over two straightforward chances were offered up, one from either batsman but neither opportunity was snaffled. Having received an extra life, the two Royal Engineers batsmen proceed to punish the B.B attack and highlighted the gaps in the field due to the missing 11th man. On a lighting fast outfield, the Royal Engineers made it to lunch at 165-1.
After lunch, it looked like the carnage would continue with both batsmen bringing up their centuries but a quick brace from Collingwood pegged the scoring rate together with some accurate bowling from Preece, Cross and Regan following his brief flirtation with the wicket keeping duties. An inspired bowling change saw Brother Richardson return to the attack and send the off-stump cartwheeling with his first ball. The Royal Engineers called a halt to their innings after 50 overs at 295-4.
Following further Royal Engineers huddles the action resumed with Candidate Kimber showing some good old-fashioned Aussie aggression to hit two boundaries from the first over. Brother Regan at the other end made a shaky start nicking one to the wicket keeper who shelled the straight forward chance before flicking the ball to square leg only to see the ball grounded again. The Royal Engineers paid a huge price for their early sloppiness with both batsmen finding the boundary on regular occasions. At tea, the B.B were up with the run rate with all wickets in hand and the run chase was very much on.
Shortly after tea Candidate Kimber holed out bring Brother Cornwallis to the crease at 101-1. What followed was a stand of 174 between Brothers Regan and Cornwallis which will compare favourably to any batting partnerships in the clubs long and proud history. The ball was dispatched to the boundary with such frequency that at times the fielders spent longer in the long grass trying to retrieve the ball then they did on the field of play. Both batsmen fell in quick succession with 20 still needed. Useful cameos from Collingwood and Douglas got the BB close to the line before it was left to Luke Cross to face the final over with 6 still needed. With the spectators chewing their finger nails Cool hand Luke delivered the knock blows dispatching the first two balls to the boundary and delivering a hard fought and well-deserved victory.
The Royal Engineers had provided extremely stiff opposition and batted extremely well during the middle of the day making it a highly enjoyable game for all parties which was played in the right spirit. Almost six hundred runs were scored in the day with three batsmen scoring centuries, two of which were dropped in single figures. A fielding coaches worst nightmare.
