We arrived at the Pound Lane ground to find a capacity crowd enjoying the carnival atmosphere of a country dancing festival. The church bells were ringing, bagpipes droaning and morris men gaily dancing around, although the attention of the younger members of the team was drawn to the multitude of young women walking past the pavilion with very short skirts!

Time to toss up or not as it happened. Cometh the hour cometh our skipper for the day Ian Rogers, thirty years of cricketing experience striding to the middle, who broke the ice with the opposing skipper by telling him the obvious, that he really needed a win and that this would be more likely achieved if he batted second. This directness obviously wrongfooted the Marlow Park skipper who graciously accepted Ian's offer to field first.

Amersham's openers Ben Langley and Andrew Viney strode to the crease but unfortunately Viney was soon back in the pavilion with score at 6-1. Paul Weston joined Langley, who together, played very sensibly in adding 94 runs until Langley (40) was dismissed with the score at 100-2 after 27 overs. This was a great platform from which the talented Amersham stroke-making middle order could build upon to set Marlow Park a formidable total. Weston (71) and Kilgannon (14) added 50 runs together in the next five overs before they both fell in quick succession, quite rightly going for their shots which left Amersham at 158-3 after 35 overs, looking set for a big total. By this time Marlow Park were feeling the strain as Ian Rogers (35), Evan Hamilton-Pike (27) and Jez Good (13) knocked the ball to all corners of the ground in bringing the score up to 235-7 off 48 overs. Thanks to some sensible hitting from Brad Holt (16 no) at the death Amersham added a further 35 runs from the last 4 overs and the innings was closed at 270-9 off 52 overs. All credit to the Marlow Park bowlers, Ali-Khan (3-38), Ayres (3-69) and Khan (2-55) who stuck to their task admirably on a good pitch and fast running outfield.

After the tea interval Ian gathered the team into an England style huddle outside the pavilion, after which we took to the field with renewed vigour. Rogers quite rightly declined the offer of the new ball and opened up with David Sidebottom and Jez Good who bowled tightly in restricting Marlow Park to 48-1 after 12 overs. Wickets were required so the new ball was taken and Brad Holt brought into the attack. This did not have the desired effect as Khan (48) hit Holt for 34 off his first two overs and was replaced by Mike Garvey at the Pound Lane end. Garvey and Sidebottom stemmed the run rate which frustrated Khan who was brilliantly caught at cover by Kilgannon trying to hit out at Sidebottom (2-55) with the score at 94-2 after 19 overs. Marlow were still in the hunt and Harris was joined by Coll who proceeded to add 94 runs in the next 17 overs, by which time Kilgannon and the evergreen Weston had been brought into the attack. With Marlow Park requiring 80 runs off 12 overs with eight wickets in hand, the game was very much theirs for the taking and with it fourth division survival. Suddenly Amersham awoke to the fact that they could lose the game and stepped up a gear and the partnership was broken when Coll (38) was brilliantly stumped by Langley off the bowling of Weston. Harris was then joined by Cassidy who added a further 35 runs together in five overs before Harris (91) was bowled by Weston, leaving Marlow Park 50 runs to get with 9 overs and 6 wickets in hand.

The tension was becoming unbearable and with the light fading quickly, a canny piece of captaincy from Rogers saw Brad Holt brought back into the attack from the River End. This had an immediate effect as Turner took off for what he thought was an easy two to third man. Lurking down there in the gloom was not the expected donkey of the team but the very agile Andrew Viney who, with a fantastic pick up and throw, scored a direct hit from at least 80 yards leaving Turner well short of his ground. Panic set in the Marlow Park dressing room and three further quick wickets fell to impressive bowling and fielding, including that of the young Cassidy who batted very well for his 39 runs before being comprehensively bowled by Holt. Captain Rogers, who was having an inspired game, took a sharp catch off the bowling of Holt and with Good luring another batsmen to take on his strong arm, became the second run out victim of the match.

Marlow Park still had a chance with 17 runs required off 3 overs and two wickets in hand, this became only one in hand when Rogers claimed his second catch off the bowling of Holt. All credit to Brad Holt who bowled terifically in his second spell, taking 3-15 from his last three overs at the death. The game was reaching its climax and with one over left all four results were possible, sevens runs required with one wicket in hand. The experienced Weston stood ready, arms and legs quivering, to bowl the last over. The Marlow Park players could hardly bear to watch and this became even worse for them when Weston began the last over with two dot balls, and then the third ball, perhaps the slower ball, was hit upwards towards the welcoming hands of Weston himself, who gratefully accepted the catch and set off like a man possessed on a victory jig around the outfield followed by all his Amersham team mates! Weston finishing the game with an excellent all-round contribution of 71 runs and 3-43.

With Amersham claiming their second successive 25 point win, this lifted us to a very creditable fourth place finish in Division 4B and should give us confidence to push for promotion in 2006.

This was a fantastic team effort and congratulations must go to both teams for playing the game in the right spirit. Thanks also to Phil Sidebottom for officiating as he has done for the whole season.

What a game and what a fantastic way to finish the league season!

* Champagne Moment - Andy Viney's direct hit from third man to run out Turner.

Amersham opted to bat first, and despite the variable bounce of the pitch, they were soon on top as the openers imposed their authority on the Chiswick bowlers. 16-year-old Andrew Viney batted throughout for a high-class 101*, and was well supported by Paul Weston (19), Matt Ash (23) and Jack Kilgannon (41). After a late ambush from Ian Rogers (18*), the declaration came after just 47 overs with the score on 225-4.

Chiswick stumbled to 22-3 to start their innings, but after a mini-recovery by van Eeden (26) and Farooqi (29) they slumped again to 91-7. With 22 overs to go, an Amersham victory seemed a formality, but Chiswick didn't roll over with more spirited counter-attacking from Barnes (25) and Malhotra (34). The bowlers were continually rotated with spinners Ash (2-12) and David Sidebottom (2-29) the most impressive, but after a simple chance was missed at cover with the last pair at the crease, Chiswick looked set to hang on for a draw. With his final throw of the dice, skipper Tim Aylott tossed the ball to Jeremy Good to bowl the final over. His second ball was a straight knee-high full toss, which struck Malhotra on the pad, and despite a somewhat unconvincing appeal, he was given out lbw to the delight and relief of the home team.

* champagne moment - Jeremy Good, his final-over match winning delivery.

NPL batted first, and despite an early onslaught from Manns (36), struggled to 56-5 thanks to opening spells from Mike Garvey (2-50) and Charlie Holloway (5-72). But this brought together the experienced pair of Pitts (63) and Rawlins (56), who put on 120 in a fine 6th wicket recovery. Holloway returned to dismiss both batsmen, as NPL fell just short of maximum batting points at 196-9.

In reply, several of Amersham's batsmen made starts without going on to make the crucial big score: namely Jon Abrahams (15), Jack Kilgannon (37), Nick Piper (14), Ben Langley (34) and Jeremy Good (28). The steady fall of wickets, mainly thanks to the bowling of Klimke (2-35), Snow (3-52) and McCormick (2-64) left the late order with too much to do, and Amersham ended up 26 runs adrift with 3 wickets in hand.

* champagne moment - Tim Aylott, a towering straight six which smashed the windscreen of someone's Volvo!

Amersham were put into bat, and had made a positive start with Tim Aylott (41*) and Ben Langley (25) putting on 88 for the first wicket. Langley departed in the 27th over, and thanks to the rain, the rest of the players followed moments later.

Slough opted to bat first on a hard track, and were soon in trouble at 22-3 as Jeremy Good (3-50) took a brace of early wickets. But Taj (48) and Din (47) were both dropped soon afterwards and made Amersham pay by taking the score to 109. But with tight bowling from the Davids: Sidebottom (3-36) and Bishop (0-25), Slough could never get fully on top, and James Harmer (4-29) completed a marvellous display of pace bowling as the last 6 wickets fell for 17 runs.

Amersham batted with good discipline throughout against long and testing opening spells from Shepard (2-49) and Nawaz (2-50). John Langley (22) and Ben Langley (20) started the innings on the front foot, and Jack Kilgannon's strokeplay (31) brought the finishing line within sight. At 104-5 there was still work to do, but Alex Martin (22) and Paul Langley (26) batted extremely well, and although they were both dismissed just before the hand-shaking, their partnership of 43 ultimately won Amersham the match.

* champagne moment - David Bishop, striding to the crease and hitting the winning runs with his first ball

Jeremy Good (2-21) bowled 12 fine overs with the new ball, and David Bishop (0-8) and Tim Aylott (1-14) offered support, with three of the four boundaries coming from outside edges. At 48-3, Amersham were about to unleash talisman spinner David Sidebottom when the rain came.

Champagne moment - Paul Langley, taking a sharp catch at gulley just off the ground to dismiss Grimsdale.

Amersham opted to bat first, and started well with Nick Piper (36) and Jack Kilgannon (36) setting the tempo. But Stapelburg (4-56) made good use of his short-pitched ball, and at 145-6 Amersham were in danger of registering another below-par total. But then 15-year-old Olly Haddock (150*) played one of the finest innings by an Amersham player in modern times. His pulls and drives were inch perfect - reaching his hundred with a straight six, and he shared an unbroken 7th wicket partnership of 149 with Glen Saffery (49*), before the declaration came in the 51st over.

With runs on the board Amersham were able to attack, and another good opening spell from Brad Holt (2-64) put Amersham in command. But Datchet fought back, with crisp hitting from Smith (86) and the middle order keeping them in the hunt, and they might well have won but for two amazing catches in the deep from Haddock and Kilgannon. David Sidebottom (5-98) bowled another impressive long spell, but despite both teams going all out for the win, Datchet finished 30 runs short of the target with 2 wickets in hand.

* champagne moment - Jack Kilgannon, a diving catch taken just above the ground on the leg-side boundary to dismiss Smith.

Amersham were inserted on another damp pitch, and struggled to 47-4. But this brought opener Nick Piper (55) and captain Tim Aylott (68*) together, and they repaired the damage with a stand of 74 in 15 overs. But once Piper was removed, Hodgson (6-62) who bowled through the innings, exposed Amersham's late order, as they were bowled out for 167 in 50.5 overs.

The pitch had dried out in time for Windsor's innings, but they encountered Brad Holt in prime form, as he took two wickets in his first spell. Wing (43) and Eggemhuizen (34) responded by taking Windsor past 100, only for Holt (5-18) to return and take three more wickets, and at 128-6 it was anyone's game. But as in the May fixture, Bullock (32*) steered Windsor's ship home, and they won with 3 wickets and 17 balls to spare.

* champagne moment - David Sidebottom, batting at number 10, clubbing a straight six.

Marlow Park batted first on a damp and uninviting pitch, and after an early flurry from Platfoot (21), they struggled to score against seamers Jamie Toates (3-42) and Mike Garvey (2-46), and spinner David Sidebottom (1-25). The last pair were together at 130, but then added 29 priceless runs after a routine catch at cover was spilled with the score on 142.

Amersham appeared to be on target for victory at 103-3 with 14 overs remaining - Ben Langley (51) and Ian Rogers (34) both looking well set. But thanks to Ayres (4-30) and Cassidy (3-7), Amersham collapsed in spectacular fashion to 115-9. The chances of surviving a further 37 balls appeared remote, but Garvey (4*) and James Harmer (1*) defended well, and secured an extra batting point.

* champagne moment - Ben Langley, a straight six into the cornfield.

Their opening spells had the batsmen in all sorts of difficulty and it seemed that a score of 50 was optimistic. A Lishman yorker was the fastest ball of the day to dismiss a young batsman first ball but it would have had many far better players struggling. Garvey bowled extremely well and was too good for the opposition on many occasions.

In true Amersham style, the foot came off the gas and some degree of partnership was allowed to develop. This may have been down to Chiswisk's secret weapon...an old, demented lady who took 15 minutes pushing her belongings around the boundary before settling down to sleep within the field of play. Nobody seemed quite sure of the rules if she had been hit but the opposition batting did not put her in much danger.

However, the introduction of Jeremy Good (3-10) brought the required termination to the innings. Never one to do things in half measures (other than when it comes to the purchasing of jugs), a stunning hat-trick was a great way to bring things to an end.

Then it was a case of the Langley father and son combination playing for their averages ... sorry ... batting very sensibly to ensure the 10 wicket victory. John (32*) drove the ball powerfully whilst Ben (45*) was much more adept at using the entire range of shots and careful placement to build his score.

An easy, valuable win. Well done to the bowlers, the Langleys and thanks for coming to everyone else.

NPL Teddington batted first, but Amersham's opening bowlers, Jon Lishman (3-29) and Charlie Holloway (3-30) soon got on top. Wickets fell regularly and only Gallifent (28) and Pitts (27) looked at all comfortable, as Ben Langley took four catches behind the stumps. Mike Garvey (2-37) and Jeremy Good (2-23) provided good support, and although a last-wicket thrash produced 20 runs, Teddington were bowled out for a seemingly inadequate 134.

In reply, Amersham made a steady start with Ben Langley (25) and Tim Aylott (19) pushing the score along. At 52-2, the target looked straightforward, but excellent spells from Teddington seamers Snow (5-26) and Anderson (3-19) turned the match on its head, and Amersham collapsed to 94 all out, 40 runs short of the target.

* champagne moment - John Langley, a reaction slip catch after son Ben's assist!

Amersham opted to bat first, and made a good start with Matt Ash (36) and Tim Aylott (46) punishing any loose balls. When Jeremy Good (55) got into his stride again, Amersham were 151-3 off 32 overs and were eyeing a substantial total. But the spin of Emmett (4-49) brought Wycombe back into the contest and Amersham were grateful to Brad Holt (17) and Charlie Holloway (30*) who ensured the maximum batting points were collected. Fitzgerald (4-47) returned to bowl Amersham out for 225 in the 49th over.

High Wycombe started their innings against the old ball, and David Sidebottom (2-79) took two early wickets to put Amersham in command. But none of Amersham's bowlers were able to seriously trouble veterans Patten (74) and Wright (45), who counter-attacked well in a 4th wicket stand of 78. With 12 overs to go Wycombe needed 86 runs and looked the more likely winners, but when Patten was eventually removed, both teams had slightly too much to do, and Wycombe ended up 24 runs short with 4 wickets in hand.

* champagne moment - Asa Bridle, a fine running boundary catch to dismiss Patten.

Amersham were asked to bat first on a damp and seamer-friendly pitch, but the Langley brothers, Ben (21) and Paul (23) built a solid platform with a determined opening stand of 56. Matt Ash (22) and Ian Rogers (28) continued the good work, and laid the foundations for Jeremy Good (55), who blasted four fours and four sixes in a blistering cameo innings. Nawaz (4-47) and Salmon (4-34) controlled the runs to a certain extent, but Brad Holt (9*) helped pushed the total up to useful 182.

Slough were on the back foot from the start, as Jon Lishman (1-12) produced a typically hostile opening spell. Holt then came on and ripped the middle-order to shreds, with a stunning spell of 5-3 in six overs, 4 of the wickets being LBW. Although Rahman (38) led a Slough recovery, they fell well short of the target as Good (2-19) and David Sidebottom (2-29) completed a fine victory for Amersham, and 25 very welcome points.

* champagne moment - Brad Holt (who else?) taking an amazing reaction catch in the gulley to dismiss the dangerous Ghazi.

Redingensians batted first and thanks mainly to a fine knock from Mutephsa (95), they were on top from the start. None of Amersham's seamers could produce a breakthrough, but Amersham regained some control through spinners Matt Ash (4-97) and David Sidebottom (3-51). The hosts were reduced to 214-8, but a late rally pushed the total up to an impressive 246-8, and the declaration came after 51 overs.

Amersham batted positively in pursuit of the runs, but a few too many rash shots were played before the batsmen were settled. Ash (52) and Olly Haddock (16) produced some quality strokeplay, and left-handers Ian Rogers (47) and Jeremy Good (25) provided some calculated hitting. But skipper Northway (5-47) spun Redingensians to victory, as Amersham were bowled out 60 runs short of the target, with 4.4 overs to spare.

* champagne moment - Olly Haddock, sweeping his first ball for four to the square leg boundary.

Amersham batted first and started brightly with an impressive knock from debutante Paul Langley (20). But this was the story of the whole top order as they all made starts but failed to capitalise. Some good fielding and very accurate bowling, led by a fine 26-over spell from skipper Edge (6-42), restricted Amersham to 142-9 from the 52 overs, and were grateful to David Bishop (16*) and Brad Holt (11) for a late rally.

But the match then swung in Amersham's favour after an astonishing start to the Windsor innings. Kiwi Jeremy Good (2-60) who struck with the first ball of the innings and Mike Garvey (2-41) both took a wicket in each of their opening two overs, and Windsor were in disarray at 3-4. But Bullock (63*) led an excellent recovery and they reached the target relatively comfortably, with 5 wickets to spare.

* champagne moment - Mike Garvey, twice rearranging the stumps in his opening two overs.

Amersham had first use of a pitch which was barely playable due to early morning rain, but started reasonably well with new recruit Luke Jackson (19) and Ben Langley (20). But both fell to sensational one-handed catches, and from then on Amersham collapsed from 61-3 to 70 all out, with part time bowler Brinklow taking 5-3!

Mike Garvey's excellent opening spell (1-14) was unlucky to produce just one wicket, and despite an encouraging spell from James Harmer, there were clearly not enough runs on the board as Chesham easily reached the target, Brinklow (43*) again doing the damage.