Following a return from injury, the first XI welcomed back regular skipper Dave Overton to the side and also brought in Steve Pullen behind the sticks, with both Andy Potter and Rory Mcleod having made themselves unavailable. In a surprise move, the Datchworth 2s skipper, after winning the toss, decided to offer the home side first use of the track. It was, he claimed, an attacking move, following some previous experiences of negative (non) chases by oppositions against them recently. These words were to ring very hollow by the time the Datchworth innings was even 20 overs old.

The Village pitch at the bottom end of the square was a little inconsistent this week. The Holohan 'cow field' end had a lot of bounce and carry, while the clubhouse end was a lot flatter with a tendancy for the odd ball to whistle through at ankle height. One of these 'shooters' did for opener James Cook who had looked fluent early on. Against an attack as good as we have seen this season, Phil Smith (32) and Felix Charles (39) moved the score on securely to 72 before the partnership was broken on the last ball before a drinks break. Two more wickets fell to leave the hosts at 100-4 after 29 overs and the innings was somewhat in the balance. However the solid Village middle order came to the fore again. Marcus Cara, in the form of his life (yet missing in action next week!!), played another assured knock, punching several straight sixes on his way to 62. Alongside him, Majid Asif looked fluent and stylish while putting together a well constructed 40. At 200 for 4 in the 43rd, a decent total was guaranteed. The innings tailed away in the hunt for quick runs and ended with a suicidal run out on the last ball of the 49th over with the score at 239.

A competitive and very fair total to go after then, particularly for a side who had elected to chase. The visitors also had two more overs at their disposal than the home side, requiring a little under 5 an over to reach 240 from 51 overs. However, at no point did Datchworth ever look seriously interested in mounting a chase. The opening pair used up 10 overs getting to 20 as both Saahil Mehra and Dave Overton bowled tight opening spells. A couple of wickets fell but batsmen 3 & 4 were barely any more attacking. A stand of 60 odd in slow time saw the run rate rise to close to 8 an over. It was never a contest and it became apparent that Datchworth has come not to lose rather than to win. The Village team were left wondering whether this was a sign of things to come, as sides lower down the division attempt to minimise damage / maximise points against a team pushing for promotion.

Various bowling options were tried without success. Overton returning for a 2nd apell raised hopes briefly with three quick wickets but it was too little too late. Despite bowling well, the Village attack could not shift the skipper, or his able deputy, who then decided to 'tee off' in the final few overs to demonstrate what might have been, had a meaningful chase been mounted. About half the innings runs were scored in the last 15 overs. The innings ticked away to end at 192-7.

Datchworth were a thoroughly nice bunch and the social aspects after the game were excellent, making a refreshing change after the past few years in the Middlesex Championship. This was one of the key reasons behind the Village decision to change leagues and to date, this appears to be a decision that has been well vindicated.

17 useful points for the Village who are now second in the table behind next week's opponents, North Mymms who remain the only side in the Division with a 100% record. The Village move on, still with an unbeaten record to defend.