Two years ago the Twickenham CC Vets travelled to deepest Sussex to play Wisborough Green. They came out on top in a close run affair. The 2025 rendition of this fixture went down a similar path, although this time a drama-filled last over was needed to sort out the victors from the vanquished (see here for the card).

Solid batting performance by the Ts
The Ts travelled with a fine body of men. Indeed, only Tim Fairn (esteemed younger brother of Martin) had NOT been involved in league cricket the day before; a two game weekend therefore beckoned for ten of the TCC line up. That, ladies and gents, is tekkers of the most laudable kind.

The Wisborough Green side, led admirably by former Twickenham player Chris Marshall, was an eclectic mix of young talent and grizzled veterans. There were three father and son combos, for example, plus a German South African; how often do you have one of those (the Ts had the legend that is Holger Kriess in their ranks) present on each side?

The Ts, as is custom, took first hit. Messrs Donelan and Kriess strode to the wicket and got the show on the road. Henry Hunter (six overs for a miserly seven runs) was treated with caution, but Donelan still hit a couple of delightful fours before returning to the pavilion content enough with his day's work (16 off 26). Kriess (50 off 53) and Dom Thamby (18 off 22) kept things moving, but it was an injection of boundary hitting from Martin Fairn (49 off 43) and Kev Cavilla (39 off 20) that pushed the Ts north of 200.

Ben Parer looked in the groove before being ruthlessly run out by Thamby, whilst Tim Fairn put in an early entry for the 'who can hit the ball highest straight up in the air' competition. He won, easily.....

The innings then drew to a close with Mark Smith moving smoothly to 24no (17) and Anush Ganesh doing a decent (albeit truncated) Rishabh Pant impression; first ball six, second ball out. The Ts closed on 237.

Ganesh to the rescue
The father and son combo of Phillip and Harry Maggs opened for the hosts and they both looked in decent nick. Maggs Snr was the first to go, nicely bowled by Anush Ganesh for 15 (off 22). Harry Hunter came in at three and looked to be positive. He got a start before Holger Kriess took his first wicket since 1997 thanks to a neat catch by Donelan at mid wicket. 65-2 nontheless meant the game was most definitely on.

Jonny Farmer came in at four. It soon became apparent that he was going to be Wisborough Green's main man. He was, however, well supported by young Josh Braddock. One excellently executed reverse hit off Dom Thamby in particular will remain long in the memory.

Ben Parer, Geoff Stothert and Kev Cavilla all turned their arms over, but it wasn't until Ganesh re-entered the fray that the Ts claimed another wicket; Braddock danced down the track, missed, and was stumped by Holger Kriess (now back on more familiar wicket-keeping terrain) for 28 (44 balls).

With Farmer still there the hosts were most definitely still in it and it wasn't until Thamby bowled him for 90 (68 balls) that the Ts could breath a bit easier. Still, with eight needed off the last six balls the game was most definitely still on.

Stand up Anush Ganesh (5-30 off 9); ice cool under pressure, he pulled a triple (!) wicket maiden out of the bag. Poor old Chris Marshall hit his own wicket (well, more 'fell on top of wicket', really) whilst Buddy Edwardes and George Nicholls also fell on their swords. The Ts were home and hosed, but only just.

The result was, of course, more or less totally irrelevant. An excellent day was concluded with both sides plus spectators watching the Lionesses win the European Championship on the big screen. Marvellous stuff, well done one and all.