Monday 25 June

As we left Thurleigh on Friday evening it looked as if it would be 1.01 on Betfair that our Charity Cricket Match at Eversholt would involve no cricket. At lunchtine the square was deemed unfit, and it would take a drying afternoon to get the game on. At 4.30 in our neck of the woods the heavens opened, and in fairness at about the same time in most of the surrounding area it did the same! But not at the 'Oasis' that is Eversholt. All the storms went round the ground and it stayed dry! At 5.20 we got news that the game was on! The Nick Brown Racing XI was again made up of owners, club members, and sons of owners and club members,along with Posty's mate 'Neaty'. Eversholt decided to bat first, which was good as it kept our side out of the bar for a bit, and they posted a gettable total of 126 in their 20 overs, with Kevin Copperwheat (Omaruru, Tara Dancer) taking 3 wickets (oh - and dropping a sitter). After a swift half, it was our turn to bat, and after a slowish start we started to hit our straps. With 2 down we had Neaty and Rob Garratt at the crease and these boys really moved the scoring on taking us to within 11 of the target before Rob lost his wicket. The next man in did not last long, and with only an handful of runs to get it was Stuart 'I am not playing this year' Edmunds' chance to shine. Stuart had not taken the field and was not actually in the team but we all needed a giggle so we sent him in. After depatching one for six over squre leg it was down to him to hit the winning runs with a boundary!We will never hear the last of it!! Nick Brown Racing XI winning by 7 wickets with 4 overs to spare! By now Stuart Hunter of Crackling Fayre had got the hog roast flying out, and it left a good while to enjoy his excellent pork rolls and a fair few pints! Neaty took man of the match for his fine 65 of 37 balls and got to keep the match ball for his efforts (must get a trophy next year). Thanks very much to Eversholt for hosting us once again. What looked like being a very damp squib, turned into a fantastic night of fun and laughter, and can't wait to go back next year!Despite not having any Jockeys there - we managed to raise £300 for The Injured Jockeys Fund, so thankyou very much for your support! On the horse front. Kikos will be entered today for Uttoxeter on Sunday. A 0-115 2m handicap chase is right up his street, Tara Dancer will be let off this week and allowed time to develop into her substantial frame, and will return to Michael and Fionas. Tannerman and Smart Exit are both booked in for their wind ops in the first week in July, and will start exercise directly afterwards, both will be on the walker for 2 weeks and return to Fences in mid July to continue their conditioning work. With July just round the corner it will not be long until we start to get the rest of the horses in with both San Telm and Colebrooke due back next month as well. Let's hope we get a dry week so that Kikos gets his favoured fast ground on Sunday - Uttoxeter needs to dry up a bit!