Fresh from last week’s victory, the seconds went from Minch to Stinch, where, on on overcast day, Phil Duke was invited to field first. More crucially, a returning Jim Mason elected to give the match a games and toy theme (in case anyone got board).

It was time to Snap into action, bowling without any Risk, Uno strip that was less Flight Deck and more Fuzzy Felt. He-Man Adrian Fishley’s powers were too strong, conceding just 7 runs in his ten overs. Raj Balanathan, who had a Monopoly of the bowling from the far end, was also lively, his Swingball making both batsmen Scrabble at the crease. Both openers looked uneasy, like Weebles batting in Slime. Dean Simmonds, normally so Slinky behind the stumps, had Finger Frights and dropped a couple of catches. Rubik’s Kuber’s leg spin Operation began, and his quicker ball left the batsmen without a Cluedo. “Howzat?” He took the opening wicket, Mousetrapping Steve Collard Lego before for 20. This had a Domino effect on the home side, who collapsed like a house of cards. Ed Riddington was the Mastermind of the Stinchcombe collapse; he managed to Connect 4 wickets. He bowled danger man Henry Scott when he Play Dohver the ball. Despite a Downfall that brought him to his knees, Tony Green held on to a skier that went Kerplunk into his hands at mid off. Henry was a real Action Man, saving a number of runs. ‘Simon’ Elcombe was like a Magic Robot patrolling the boundary, stopping the ball from going into the Cabbage Patch. Paul Cleary was also Scalextric in the field, striking the only stump he could see to run out Gordon Carey. The batsmen’s Frustration was visible and it was with Tiny Tears that they ended on 113 for 7 off 40 overs.

The Hungry Hippos enjoyed a hearty tea fresh from the A La Carte Kitchen, which included everything but Strawberry Shortcake. We put our games away and focused on the task of winning.

Duke and Green opened the innings and carefully began to accumulate runs. However, there was the occasional scare when ambitious running between the wickets nearly resulted in a run out. If it was tense out in the middle, it was equally uneasy on the boundary, with Mason singing “Cause I am your lady and you are my man,” a moving, if slightly harrowing version of Jennifer Rush’s 1985 chart topper, the Power of Love. Tony Green did all that he could, but was caught for two, bringing our elegant leading run scorer, Cleary, to the crease. Meanwhile, at the scorer’s table, Kuber commented that he had ‘never seen Duke bat for so long.’ The following delivery, Duke gifted a catch and was on his way for a hard-fought 22. Elcombe joined Cleary and the target was met with 49 balls to spare.

The sun came out as the Happy Families came together for a drink. (It was the perfect night to Hot Wheels back home for a Barbie - Sorry!)