Winning the toss and batting, Hawkley were quick off the mark as Toby Flack launched into the IBM bowling, losing fellow opener Brad Kneller and James McCurrach cheaply before building a partnership with veteran ‘keeper Nigel Brown. Both batsmen scored quickly before offering soft catches, for 26 and 18 respectively. Mike Burkie, thankfully playing for rather than against Hawkley this week, took up the burden of the batting and stroked the ball to all parts of the ground in scoring an excellent 63 with a succession of straight sixes being particularly memorable. At the other end variable bounce in the pitch and a notable propensity by Hawkley batsmen to offer easy catches took their toll, however the Hawkley tail wagged and Mullard hit some lusty blows in scoring 39 and Hudson was undefeated on 25. Hawkley closed on 187 all out off only 28 overs although more diligent batting could have added another fifty runs on the small ground.

In reply IBM came out fighting, burly opener Ross striking the ball hard although Hawkley bowlers Mullard and Lilly beat the bat regularly and a couple of outfield catches were spurned as IBM raced to 75 without loss. A change of bowling was immediately effective as Evans pinned Wells LBW and Oversby bowled Ross for the day’s top score of 79. Spin proved effective against the middle order as Burkie snapped up three wickets and when Evans held a steepling catch off the dangerous-looking Sharma it looked as though Hawkley could snatch a draw from the jaws of defeat, or even pull off an unlikely victory. Fate however dictated otherwise and IBM crept home with three overs left after what had been an absorbing afternoon’s play.