The proposed fixture against Wadhurst needed to be hastily re-arranged and the new opponents Dormansland stepped into the breach. Initially sceptical whether this was a real or fictitious team (I’m sure I can remember Bilbo Baggins travelling across Dormansland during one of the recent Hobbit films), in fact the ground offered a picturesque venue within the beautiful English countryside.

Mellowship kindly provided transport and took us on a grand tour through the bucolic and verdant Sussex pastures, with an interesting diversion through Crawley that offered a heady mix of roundabouts, urban deprivation and industrial estates.

The game was agreed as a non-restricted overs format with the winning side needing to take all of the opponents 10 wickets to win (rather than limited overs being decided by the highest score).

The Alternatives bowled first and despite an early wicket were soon struggling. The youthful and aggressive Dormansland opener started to wreak havoc and hit the boundary with frequency. Spink managed to nick one wicket (1-37) and get a modicum of control but the pattern of destruction was proving difficult to stop. The opener completed his century and then holed out to Thompson’s bowling but much of the damage had been done.

During the latter stages both Thompson (2-57) and Olliff (1-37) managed to keep a good length on the sloping wicket and their bowling was the pick of the bunch. Unfortunately, the early dominance by Dormansland meant that an imposing score of 230 was set as the target.

The Alternatives’ innings started disappointingly with Robertson out early. The batting stalwarts of Webb (19) and Green (24) both perished to edges off leg-side swipes leaving the innings perilously balanced at 51-3.

At this stage any hopes of The Alternatives winning were fading. Mutterings that a trouncing might follow were whispered by the knowledgeable and faithful cricketing spectators of Dormansland CC. Their fielders demonstrated the easy smiles and jocular manner that betrayed the confidence of an imminent victory.

But the spirit of this Alternatives side should not be underestimated. The rebuilding started with a steady partnership between Spink and Boden. Using up precious time and overs, the balance of the game started to shift. Steadily accumulating runs whilst the sun set, the game was unravelling towards a draw. The Alternatives’ batsman, waiting on the pavilion balcony in the late warm afternoon sun, started to wonder when the bar would be opening.

Yet now the time came for the next challenge. The Dormansland skipper recognised that time was slipping away from his team and he called upon his fastest, leanest and hungriest bowlers to bring him the victory they wanted and felt they deserved.

Suddenly, Boden (33) was clean bowled and Mainprize followed quickly in the same fashion. No longer idle musings of waiting batsman on the balcony. The game was turning and these same batsmen now resembled convicted innocents on death row.

However with over 15 overs remaining both Spink and Stenner showed obduracy in skilled defence. As announced by a keen observer, the bus had been parked and it was going nowhere. Both played with discipline until the draw was established. And then with the final overs remaining, followed a fireworks display of sparkling stroke-play. Spink (65no) unleashed sixes and fours and not to be outdone Stenner (18no) plundered a huge leg-side six with his trademark flourishing sweep. Both batsman finished the game with such style that there was no limping over the line but euphoric celebrations of a hard-fought draw and a final total of 175-5.

A draw but not an ordinary one. In fact, the finish felt triumphant!