After the Rambler captain got his side out of bed far too early, play commenced at around 11.45am on a beautiful day at Highclere Castle. The Ramblers won the toss and elected to field amidst a few surprises from the younger hungover Rambler contingent. After a brisk start with a flurry of 4’s in the opening overs, and a signficant lack of chin music,  the shine was rapidly taken off the new ball and we all thought we had a long afternoon in front of us. However then came the breakthrough. An unplayable delivery from the vicar Pat Allerton which went straight through the in form opener and from there a steady flow of wickets ensued. The Earl was 5 down at lunch for only 100 runs. A great morning’s work with the famous 4 course Highclere lunch to enjoy for a change. After play resumed it was more of the same from an excellent Rambler bowling display. Freddie “the cat” Fox and his box of tricks bowling at the top end and Mike “the Bustler” Dunlop steaming in up the hill from the other. They batted all the way down and without a Piers Lucas 20 ball fifty this year we wrapped up the Carnarvon innings for 159 all out. 

Eckersley and Gauge got the Ramblers off to a fabulous start and at 100 for no wicket at tea there were no whispers of a typical Rambler batting collapse. It was a canter for George Cazenove and Ned Fox to get us to the finish and we won the game by a very healthy 8 wickets. A memorable Eton victory, a fabulous day of cricket and great team effort by all.