On a day when batsmen were very much in the ascendency, it was the threes and fives who caught the eye. Both sides were involved in knicker-gripping finishes, with the fives in particular taking things right down to the wire.

Walker Unleashed
Paramdeep Saini's 5s have already registered one league victory in 2018 although that was by virtue of a walkover against Lohana 3rds. On Saturday 19 May they came within inches of claiming the full ten points out on the pitch for the first time.

Top of the table Richmond 5s (two wins out of two) were the visitors and as the game entered the last over all three results were possible. Earlier in the day Andy Donelan and Phil Walker had put on 80 for the first wicket as the Ts built a hefty total. Quite what had got in to Walker in particular is not clear, particularly when he started boshing straight sixes! His 83 was a joy to behold.

The Ts subsequently set Richmond 236 to win. The skipper bowled well (4-51) and a nip and tuck chase ensured that both sides were well and truly in it all the way through. With two needed to win off the last ball the final Richmond batter edged to third man and (quite understandably) raced off to try and get the two runs needed. He was short by five yards. Both sides settled for a tie in what was an exhilarating finish.

We await one of Phil Walker's now legendary match reports later in the week to give us all a full account of proceedings.

Hill serves up a feast
The thirds managed to go one better than the fives, beating old adversaries Hornsey by 6 runs. Hornsey won the toss and bravely opted to field. Skipper Steve Watts defied the odds (defined as forgetting his beloved batting pants) to notch a well deserved 60, whilst Kev Cavilla (38) and Hayden Tyler (30) also chipped in nicely as the Ts posted 232-9. Hornsey gave the chase a good go but Ant Hill, the off-spinning chef, kept his cool, claiming four wickets as the Ts bowled Hornsey out in the last over.

1s are Adam Londoned
The fortunes of the other three Twickenham sides weren't quite so great. The ones posted a more than decent 278 on the Green against Richmond (see here for the card). Don Manuwelge (63 in 70) and Clint McCabe (59 in 49) were the stars of the show.

In return, the hosts got off to an excellent start as Gurjit Sandhu removed Richmond skipper Greg King in the first over. That was, however, very much as good as it got. Former Middlesex and Sunbury stalwart Adam London, now Director of Cricket at Richmond, plundered 164no in a partnership of 277 with Ben Compton as the visitors won by 8 wickets.

Days to forget for 2s and 4s
The 2s' day wasn't much better. 78 all out tells its own story (see here for the card). Phil Nash (26) was the only Twickenham batter to make any headway on a day to forget. Richmond's second string knocked the runs off with a minimum of fuss, Tom Field the only Ts bowler to make any impact on the wickets column.

The 4s lost, but they certainly put up a decent fight. Twickenham posted 182. Nihal Tomar (42), Colin Blunden (25), Sarwant Singh (38) and Anir Guharaja (28) were the pick of the batters. In reply Indian Gymkhana squeezed home with 2 wickets to spare, JP Bowman the pick of the attack with four wickets. Praween Siriwardena also helped himself to a couple of poles but, alas, it wasn't meant to be.

Sunday sees the Ts in action in the MIddlesex Cup. Winchmore Hill are the visitors to the Green. Bar open very much as usual.