After an unexpected shower juiced up the wicket slightly on Parkonians' second square in the distance of Fairlop, our strong batting lineup was reduced to 149, an agonising single run short of a further two batting points. Sharma and Rajkumar both showed early promise but didn't kick on, Mullens and Duncan likewise, meaning it was left to a tenth wicket partnership between Howes and Hussain to give us anything like a respectable total. Howes enjoyed his best innings to date, while the undefeated Hussain kept him company, resolute as ever in his defence.

Filled up by a curry tea, Parkonians stuttered in their response as Stockton and Davis kept things tight. Stockton, the target of unscrupulous attempts to poach him during play, was particularly unlucky to end his spell wicketless, and should have at least had a plum LBW to his name.

There were a few misfields, including by the captain, and dropped catches, depriving us of an extra bowling point or two, but in truth it was our batting that had let us down. A few of us had given our wickets away, while others were victims of good balls. Another 50 runs could have made things interesting, another 100 runs would have been even nicer.

As the sun began to set on a somewhat frustrating day, there was talk of a midweek net to get back in the groove.