At last a sunny afternoon was forecast but bad news hit the Tarleton side as skipper Higham had damaged his lower back that morning. The cause of the problem is still a mystery but the theories range from breaking wind to forcing open his wallet.

Captain Andy Mills lost the toss and Darwin batted. At 68 for 0 this looked a good decision. A change of bowling brought the breakthrough as the evergreen Dave Huyton bowled the Darwin skipper. Then Rob 'I can sometimes be an angry young man' Johnson got the vital wicket of the other opening bat helped by Dave Thompson taking a good catch despite shaking off the after effects of 10 pints from the night before.

Darwin never recovered and steadily lost wickets, Huyton's passion for the game still obvious as he appealed for an LBW which was turned down, Huyton fell onto one knee and smacked his palm onto the grass in disbelief. Still thinking he was that 22 year old youth from the mid eighties he sprung back to his feet but then nearly fell onto next week's wicket as his legs gave way. He discretely kept his balance and proceeded to get his man with the next ball. LBW was the verdict, the batsman shook his head but he had to go with Huyton's words ringing in his ears 'on yer bike mate'.

Good bowling changes from Mills ensured that Darwin collapsed to 113 all out. Mills himself taking 'four for' with the other wickets shared between Johnson, Huyton and Simcox.

Fielding on the boundary edge throughout the Darwin innings was John Eminson. This was at his personal request due to him still being shook up after falling from his bike in front of the Cock and Bottle a week ago. Apparently John was trying to avoid a cat (called Vienna) which ran across the road and the 6 pints in the club earlier that evening was purely coincidental!

By Tea Time Higham couldn't walk and was half sat on the floor in agony but determined to see his men win. From outside looking into the Pavillion window his groping hand was visible on the window ledge.

McDermott and Dave Thompson opened the batting against a fierce off spin attack. After playing back 20 dot balls McDermott then hit an inside edge for 2 and an uppish off drive for 4. The next ball he was out getting a thin edge to a Jaffa !!!!!! Huyton came in and hit an aggressive twenty odd before being given out to a dubious LBW. It was quite clear the umpire remembered that he was the bowler who slapped his hand on the wicket whilst trying to do dodgy Al Jolson impersonations, so up went the finger in Steve Buckner fashion.

To the crease walked Tom Archer, a man in form averaging over 50. I didn't see Tom's dismissal because it happened pretty quick but the description I got from the some bloke watching on the boundary was 'Slow full toss that should have gone for 6, he missed it and was bowled'. The bloke then got in his car and went to mow his grass!

Slight panic creeping through the dressing room at this point but fear not as the resolute Thompson played a superb but simple innings of 25 not out by picking the bad balls and playing back the good balls. At the other end John Eminson built an impressive 54 not out that gathered momentum. Excellent batting from both players. Tarleton won by 7 wickets which will hopefully kick start the season. This is a good squad and can certainly achieve a top 3 place if not better.

Back in the pavillion Higham's groping hand was now by his side on the floor. All he was looking at was the ceiling tiles as he lay in agony and Bucky's friendly face as he tried to hoover up around him. After discussions with a local midwife and NHS Direct an ambulance was called which resulted in Paul being taken to hospital for at least one night.

It's his Dublin bound Stag weekend in 5 days, I'm sure he will make it but if not Eminson, Huyton and McDermott are on the reserve list.

Get well soon Paul

Tarleton (117/3 - Eminson 54*) beat Darwen III (113 - Mills 4/3) by 7 wickets