Sitting on minus 2 points coming into the fourth round of this years Chess Valley league the Wood were desperate to get back on track and avoid a possible relegation battle later on. Batsman Bone was summoned from family duties, more Kiwi help was provided by former player Westbrook and even the stinky urchin was found after some early morning panic.

Once again a poor toss selection meant the Wood were required to bowl off any tiredness or hangover, and made a reasonable start to have the Potters one down early. However, their overseas player 'Pat the Bat' from the West Indies entered at 3 and dealt severly with any short stuff dished up and raced to 50 in quick time. The Wood were left to rue a dropped chance early on in his innings and 300 looked a distinct chance. The spanner in the Potters Bar works was none other than 2001 championship winning member Timothy Westbrook who followed his good tour form to bowl a mature and steadying spell. The team was indebted to Tim for taking a break from poncing around a tennis court to play a real game and his fighting Kiwi spirit and sharp tongue will be sorely missed when not around. A counter attack in the last 10 overs helped peg back the batting side and after a double wicket maiden in the final over the Wood had been set 262 on a great track.

Cue forward 25 overs and all is good in thw world. Westbrook has bludgeoned his way to 49, family man Bone has justified his decision to leave his American relatives and the Wood are cruising at 130 for 1. With a limited bowling arsenal it seemed the fielding side were doomed to defeat, but in the next 10 overs of panic the ledger was evenly balanced. Westbrook was shakily held one short of a richly deserved 50, Bone was bowled playing on for 72 and Worzel Radley chipped out meekly after making a start. 65 were needed off 10 overs and after Wedlake blasted a six onto the road it seemed only a disaster could prevent victory. And disaster it was, starting when Wedlake showed everyone how not to go about it by chasing 2 maximum hits in a row and being caught at long on. A baffling batting order decision meant by the time the in-form Ret has come in it was much too late. Bat was not put to ball often enough and boundaries were as scarce as a Nick Rice bouncer, which doomed the Wood to another heartbreaking loss.

Heart can however be taken from a brilliant 2nd wicjet stand and some tight bolwing at times to quality players who play a very high standard on Saturdays. Man of the match has been scrapped this week in favour of town of the week. The sunny town of Howick (population 20,000) can boast two exports that did the bulk of the wicket-taking and run scoring on this day and should be proud of these 2 young men. These two follow in a long line of quality cricketers including the ever popular big ginger guy that used to play on the Common. He has however recently been deported for lack of interest in local traditions such as beer, women and junk food. Well done Howick and also well done Ciaron... the club expects much more to come from you sir.