After being disappointed by British Summertime weather for two weeks in a row, the 4s finally had a game after three weeks.

Setting out, the main concern was losing the momentum we had grinded so hard to get - prior to the washouts we were on a impressive four win streak. Having missed vice skipper Kam and our first choice keeper JP, we set out with his youngest brother picking up the gloves in his absence.

Skip won the toss, and opted to bat on what was a hard wicket at Broxbourne CC, certainly seemed like the right choice with the short boundaries and swift outfield.

Out stepped Skip and Tom Rose to open the TMCC innings and were met by two experienced bowlers - one who moved it away at a very good length and the other bringing it back in. The pressure built, with Tom R eventually falling LBW after stepping across the line. One early wicket isn't the worst and we knew we had batting to come.

In came Kas at number 3 who interestingly took a two wicket guard, and experimented with a Chanderpaul-esque stump walk. After an LBW appeal, he was then struck on the pad by the ball again - contentious but adjudged out.

JK emerged to the crease in his signature languid and enigmatic gait. He picked up the length really well, and used the pace off the ball to get the ball to the boundary and creep up the run rate. His eyes lit up at a full toss, which he dispatched for a maximum into the nearby lake.

A promising partnership was brewing between the two Grewal brothers, but Skip was taken out by a jaffer - a ball that swung out and cut back in through the gate to knock off the bails. JK pulled another one for 6 into the bushes, but got too excited and was removed. A few heads dropped in the dugout after seeing a promising innings come to an end and being three wickets down.

Ronak was caught soon after and his twin Niren was run out after some miscommunication, which left TMCC at an anxious score of 63-6. Having chosen to bat, this was certainly not where you'd want to be at the halfway stage...

Avi pushed back, stringing together several boundaries before being bowled. Bipin was looking solid and smashed one to the boundary which looked true, but was unfortunately caught.

104-8. Miserable. Shocking. Calamitous.

In stepped the Old Firm - Rahul and Thiru. At this point we were happy with trying to defend 130-odd, all things considered. After a few singles, the boys (men, rather) started to really get at the second change bowlers - punishing any bad line or length for boundaries. Rahul's aggression with the bat along with Thiru middling the ball upped our run rate hugely, and also our spirits. A fantastic display of experience, grit and team determination was hugely welcomed and they came out to a standing ovation.

205 was the score to defend and after working so hard to get there, we were even more determined to defend this score and grind out 30 points. Bips and Ash started off, keeping it tight which left the oppo a couple runs behind the run rate. Thiru, a hero with the bat, struck the opener out with an LBW and later removed the other with the Skip taking a high running catch from deepish cow corner round to deepish mid off. Catches win matches boys!

Avi was the change at the other end and bowled superbly. After frustrating the batsman, out came a massive swing with the ball going miles up into the air to cover. Ronak had completely misjudged it - stepping way too far forward... But then he made last minute jerk backwards and a stuck out right hand - with the ball slapping right into his hand; to his and everyone's relief! Another game changing moment!

On continued the bowlers, with Rahul picking up a wicket and more catches being taken. A strong stand by the oppo's opening bowler pushed us back and the game swung back into the balance. After an awful over by Skip who went for 14, Bips came back to clean up - taking 4 wickets in his second spell which killed off the game.

A great showing of sportsmanship by Tom Rose, who held onto the ball after there was a slip in the middle was met with great applause by all - a testament to one of our homegrown talents. Old Owens ended on a respectable 170 at the end.

A hugely shaky start was a good wake up call for us to reignite our momentum and get us going again. Onto next week - a tough match against North Enfield. Let's keep going boys!