Always a popular fixture, the start today was delayed for a while because rain had got under the covers but Queries eventually batted first in a declaration game starting at 3.00pm. Guests Harry Smith [34]and Felix Plant [22] put on 42 for the first wicket: Chris Antrobus then took the second wicket stand to 122, and his personal score to 97 before he was caught: and a sharp 18 runs from James Gaunt advanced the total to 197/6 after 38 overs when the declaration came. After a marvellous tea meal provided by Katie Borton, skipper Fred Coupe passed an old ball to Geoff Ramsey to open the bowling. 9 overs later Geoff had 5 for 18 and HCCC were on the ropes. Richard Leakey, making a very welcome return to Queries cricket with his son George, taking 1 for 8 in 5 overs, and Alistair Coupe took 1 for 19 in 4, but the tail dug in and blocked their way to a draw after 33 overs at 98 for 8 – and the 8th wicket fell to Geoff Ramsey: 11-4-19-6.
A very enjoyable day: many thanks to Andy Palmer for all his efforts to field a Queries XI, and for doing the scoring, and huge thanks to HCCC for their hospitality.