The penultimate domestic game was less of a match than a rout as guest opposition Gol Guppas — a side almost entirely comprised of a strong Indian contingent — made hay in the late summer sun at Ferme Park posting a gargantuan 384-8. The enormous total was reached primarily on account of skipper Umair hitting an eye-popping and unbeaten 158, but the Strollers equally didn't help their own cause with at least six catch chances shelled over the course of the 35 overs. In fact, the only Stroller worthy of much credit in the field was Rob Davies who turned in another three for - his figures of 3-50 being the pick of an otherwise exasperated and flayed bowling attack.

In reply, a hostile spell from the Guppas' quicks saw off our openers - both Gav and George suffering a few painful body blows before Amir had the latter bowled for 7 and the former caught and bowled for 13. Spencer and Tim mounted stoic resistance before allowing themselves more shots against the slower second string and, whilst the near impossible asking rate in excess of 10 per over was never threatened, the Strollers captain and vice skipper at least restored some respectability to proceedings. Eventually, after the 100 partneship had been notched up, Tim went for 41 and Spencer soon followed when Shamyn was reintroduced into the attack, the skipper caught and bowled for a fine 58. Betts Snr was the unlucky recipient of a dodgy LBW call, making way for rousing cameos from Dave Couldrey (18) and Paul Bowstead (23) who added some much needed entertainment and, more crucially, helped us avoid the embarassment of failing to meet the imaginery 'follow on' target of 184. The 200 was notched up in the 29th over before both batsmen were dismissed to allow a flourish in the tail from messrs Betts Jnr and Davies. In the end we closed on 223-8 ...a total that had we batted first we probably wouldn't have been unhappy with. But the 161 run margin of victory couldn't hide the fact we were thoroughly outclassed.