After last week's romp to victory over the Salmagundis, it was back down to earth today with a hard fought but engaging match at North Middlesex CC against newfound oppo Washington — a pub side from Belsize Park and nice guys to boot. In a game where fortunes ebbed and flowed it was ultimately not to be our day and the 8 wicket margin of defeat proved conclusive.

It started promisingly enough when we were surprisingly put in on what looked to be a good batting track and Gav got proceedings underway with a series of powerful off side boundaries. But just as a platform was being built, George called for a leg bye from one that had hit Gav's hip and a direct hit at the bowler's end from fine leg found the big feller short of his ground and run out for 19. George too was soon to follow when, after having hit a couple of lusty blows, Dugmore had him bowled for 13 playing down the wrong line. The faltering start turned into outright panic when Tim was out for a rare golden duck next ball to a peach from Dogmore. Dave, in next, did his best to dig in but, whilst he managed to make a start, came unstuck when he edged a faint nick off Clark behind and sportingly walked leaving the Strollers reeling on 64-4.

However, this brought Graeme to the middle to join Spencer who, unlike his team mates, was batting with calm assurance. Graeme characteristcally got the scoring rate up with some quick running between the wickets whilst Spencer, batting well outside his crease, pounced onto anything that resembled a half volley and sent the ball to all parts. The hundred was reached in the 21st over without further loss and by now both batsmen were set and the watching Strollers dared to dream of a revival.

Spencer took full advantage on the short boundary and with Graeme tipping and running the touch paper was now well and truly alight as the Washington field was pushed back. With an expansive cover drive, Spencer notched up yet another fifty to add to his stunning season at the crease. However, attempting the same shot a few balls later, the skipper's onslaught was brought to an end when he was caught at cover for an excellent 52. James came and went without troubling the scorers but Jez, in next, took up the mantle at first by farming the strike to Graeme before cashing in with a series of his trademark sweep shots to the boundary, enjoying the line offered up by Malcolm, the oppo's left arm leggy.

It was only the introduction of Cruickshank — only a part time operator amongst the Washington attack — that reined back the Strollers innings, firstly seeing off Jez for a useful 21 and then Andy Bates (who took a big heave first ball and missed). Graeme, attempting to score off every ball, managed to notch up another invaluable fifty before he too was finally sent packing by Kloss and, as the innings entered the last over, there was concern on the boundary that the 200 would not be reached after all. But a quick single from Rob and a superb cover drive from Jonny safely put those fears to rest and the Strollers closed on 201-9, a score that although by no means being overwhelming, represented an excellent recovery (thanks mainly to that superb Fowler/ Holmes 5th wicket partnership) and the Washington side felt by their own admission that they may have thrown it away, having apparently failed to chase down similar targets earlier in their season.

Those fears appeared to be well founded when in the third over of their reply, opener Hill (who had scored a huge 190 not out earlier in the year) played onto his stumps from a well looped delivery from Jez. But his partner White was unfazed and batted with authority, dealing calmly with an erratic opening spell from Bates and capitalising on anything wide or short as he powered his way to a quickfire fifty in seemingly no time. However James, brought on in an inspired bowling change from Spencer, reaped instant reward when White nicked behind to Graeme who took a magnificent backward falling catch at slip.

Sadly for us, however, this was to be the last breakthrough of the day as Naseem and Clark batted on in assured fashion, surviving only a couple of slim half chances, and as the Washington XI neared their target it became clear that the Strollers total was light by at least 30 or 40 runs. Washington crossed the winning line in the 28th over but whilst the result was decisive, on their return to the pavilion, both sides were keen for a rematch next year and another enjoyable game.