We were disappointed that the new fixture that we had arranged with Morden CC on this date via the Club Cricket Conference was not fulfilled, apparently due to a communications failure within the Morden camp. On arrival, the Morden team refused to play on our artificial wicket, even though this had been made clear to the Morden fixture secretary when the match was agreed. There seemed to be no scope for compromise - our offer to provide spikeless shoes to players who needed them was flatly refused, and the Morden team departed en masse soon afterwards, leaving us without a proper game on the hottest day of the year so far.

Ironically, the impromptu game that we hastily organised between our own players on this same pitch showed it to be a "belter" which resulted in a most exciting and closely-fought game of cricket.

We decided on a seven-a-side contest with 25 overs per side (although this seemed to reduce to 20 overs during the second innings!). With temperatures touching on 30 degrees Celsius, we agreed that spare members of the batting side would supplement the fielding side, and that batsmen would retire on reaching 35, but would be able to return at the end of the innings. Teams were selected in a sympathetic way which ensured balance and kept the members of the Goulston clan together.

And here's what happened...