We've got the Abbey habit

'This is like paradise' said Al Russell on his first appearance at this superb venue. On a baking hot day Skip Brupacherhad no hesitation in batting first in this 40 over contest. As the openers went to the wicket, we heard that some of the Dewlish players had been involved in a write-off collision with a car from London. Fortunately no injuries were sustained and their players were to appear later. With Thomo, Big Jim and Tim devoting the day to rest and recuperation and Kenny 'The Crutch' Robotham being...well, on crutches - after his previous nights post match six a side football collision - it fell to a couple of PP boys taking the field for the oppos. Dave Hearn and Al Horton opened in exhausting conditions and posted 51 off 14 overs for the first wicket before Hearnie was bowled for a well struck 31. The other dewlish players had arrived after 10 overs and Bill and dave Robo were relieved of their fielding duties, the latter continuing to umpire through the game and being consistent in his decisions. Al Horton was joined by Chris O'Mahoney and after being dropped earlier, Al progressed to a well paced 51 before being bowled at 126 for 2. This Dewlish side had dismissed Pimperne for 19 a couple of weeks earlier - so far - so good! Chris struck the ball well before being caught & bowled for 55 at 166 for 3 in the 31st over. With the openers Miller and Ross returning, runs became harder to get in the last 9 overs, with Sean caught for 6, Craig bowled for 15, Billy the Whizz Weston LBW before getting off the mark and Al Whaley going for 1. PPCC ended on 190 for 7 with Skip Bru on 2 not out and Al Russell on 4 and adding to his collection of 'not-outs'. Good end of innings bowling and great field placing by Dewlish restricted PP to a total 30 runs short of the wished for 220.

After the usual appreciated dewlish nose-bag, Dave Partridge bowled opener N.Kellaway for 1 and Bill, with the help of a great slip catch by Al Horton dismissing A.Ross for 0. At 9 for 2 after 6 overs, Dewlish were looking shaky but Bridgen and S.Ross with some good stroke play started to make the fielders sweat. Some hard chasing by Sean Pritchard and good stopping by Al Horton and Dave Partridge off well hit drives kept the score on par before Ross was bowled by Chris O'Mahoney for 44 at 75 for 3 off 21 overs. Miller was caught behind by Brup off Craig partridge at 97 and Gorringe was LBW to Chris O'Mahoney at 104 for 5 off 25 overs. Dave 'Billy the Whizz' Weston discovered that alternate overs in the shade of the pavillion were almost worth letting the boys off their match subs (almost but not quite!). A catch by hearnie to dismiss Crabb off Davey Partridge at 105-7 kept PP on the right side but the fluent Bridgen was still there and with good support by Taylor put on 70 for the 7th wicket. A top edge off russell to Davey Partridge by Taylor ended the stand at 175 for 7 off 38 overs. Finally to the relief of the PP players, Brigden went to a lofted drive, off Russell, that seemed to take all day to drop into Hearnie's hands. A great innings of 83 that kept Dewlish in the hunt nearly all the way. The return of Craig Partridge hstened the end, with no.9 P.Kellaway bowled for 6 at 177 for 9 and Camps bowled next ball, giving PP victory by 13 runs with 10 balls to go. Victory in Paradise! A satisfactory end to a competitive tour.

Almost too close to call, perhaps the whole team with some players on their third game, but with a combative 55 in 64 minutes and two wickets, Chris O'Mahoney.

A post match drink at the oppos pub and with the local licensee providing gratis bangers and chips (organised by the Dewlish Skipper) rounded off the excellent Dorset hospitality shown on this tour. The Player of the Tour trophy was awarded to Craig Partridge for his 97 runs and bowling of 22.2 overs, 3 maidens, 7 wickets for 84 runs. And Kenny, please stick to cricket and rugby...