Well, here we were again at the now-annual HTCC Pairs Tournament. And, yes, the chairman changed the rules again - but all agreed that it was for the better.

On a lovely day for cricket, a flat pitch and 7 pairs competing, we knew it would be a good tournament. Everyone was due to bowl and all pairs would get 5 overs.

Joe and Alex (can't work out wether they were happy to play with each other or not!) started us off and made a bad start, losing a couple of wickets early on (losing 5 runs per wicket). But steady batting eventually got them to a respectable total of 27.

Phil Thomas and Richard G were obviously not using the same language as they ran themselves out more times than Gordon Brown does a u-turn! Suicidal running at least kept the fielders on their toes. They batted, though, with real spirit, Richard hitting some lusty blows and Phil scored runs before getting out! Their total was 2.

In came Martin and Dave David. Martin 'the shades' Pearman did his usual bit of pinching runs and rotating the strike allowing Dave to hit some cracking shots to all parts of the ground (well, mostly the same place actually - it's his age, you know!). They totalled 46 - which certainly set the standard for those to come.

The last pair before tea were Andrew and Ian. Despite a bad start, losing an early wicket, Ian hit 5 fours to help bring their score to 28. This was a good effort because they faced some very useful bowling.

Tea was fantastic! Never seen such a spread at an HTCC event. Many thanks to all those who helped set it up and serve. Oh, and thanks for all those tonelessly deaf cricketers who joined in with an unforgettable rendition of 'Happy Birthday' to Dot. Many happy returns, Dot, from all at HTCC.

After tea, it was the turn of the Chairman and Joel Webster (sounds like bad 70s pop duo) to have a go at that 46 total. Joel was upbeat - well, he always is. But he started like a train and, despite being out to an incredible running one-handed catch by Rob Thew, he smashed 5 fours and scored more runs off the bat than anyone else in the tournament. With 9 to get off the last over, some tight bowling by Dan Hetherington and some huffing and puffing by the Chairman (I still feel kn******d) they ended on 46, the same total as Dave & Martin. However, because they'd lost a wicket, Dave & Martin still led the way.

Next up, the dark-horse team of Chris Crow and Richard H. Unfortunately Richard couldn't quite match the excellent fielding and bowling standards he had already set in the field and was superbly bowled a couple of times. Chris kept scoring runs but he, too, fell to a rash shot and that left their pursuit in a lot of trouble. They did well to reach 21.

Lastly came Rob and Dan. Again, a couple of early wickets meant that their task was difficult. But some good shots by both players got them to 12 in the face of some economical bowling.

Well done to all players for playing so hard and fair in good HTCC fashion. The fielding and bowling was generally of a very good standard and will surely hold us in good stead for our forthcoming matches.

Congratulations to Dave David and Martin Pearman - they batted well and deserved their trophies.