Saturday saw John Kendall (31 points) win the hotly contested golf competition at Wycombe Heights, defeating George Barton into second place. John also won the long drive contest, with Steve Kidnee claiming the nearest to pin challenge. The golfers were then joined by those arriving after a day's hard graft of league cricket for a tour of Amersham's finest establishments. Given the late arrival for some it was perhaps inevitable that the evening lasted into the early hours, with Simon Eddolls negotiating entry for those wearing cricket whites in an attempt to beat established clothing rule norms around "shorts" and "barred".

Sunday began with a trip to The Polecat Inn, before we moved on to visit our longstanding friends at Hyde Heath in a bid to regain the Brian Hartley trophy. WWCC batted first and posted a below par 147 all out, but highlights including 31 from tour debutant Matt Mann, tour veteran Patrick Manaton claiming a popular kitty prize and Max Johnson's much debated umpiring LBW decision.

Tea was a triumph and a perhaps too well fed WWCC made a sluggish start as Hyde Heath raced to 44/0, partly thanks to some butter fingers in the field. From there steady progress was made as Andrew Merriman (3/54) helped reduce the opposition to 116/6....but that was as good as it got. A fighting effort on a quick outfield, but a second placed finish for the day in a 4 wicket defeat. Full scorecard available here.

The traditional Sunday fancy dress theme this year marked the club's change in name to "West Wimbledon" (see picture). Cam Lindsay a.k.a. the Wicked Witch of the West was a crowd favourite, with Mark "All Leather" Streather picking up the prize for warmest outfit. Post match pizza helped to line the stomach, before an enjoyable late evening back at tour HQ The Saracen's Head.

Monday started with a lunchtime visit to The Red Lion, with Joe Hicks successfully walking the plank across a pond. Our second game at Little Missenden started well with Tom "Jed" Campbell's responsible three ball duck claiming a well earned kitty. Wickets fell regularly but 57 not out from All Leather Streather helped turn 88/7 to a competitive 157 all out.

Rohit Nag bagged two wickets in the first over, before Mo Dilshad took over with a cracking 5/30. Highlights in the field including Steve Bastian one handed gully wonder catch, plus Lindsay's successful vault over a mountainous climbing frame. The opposition were bowled out for 133 for a 24 run WWCC victory. Full scorecard available here.

Post match curry was improved upon last year, which set us up nicely for the Rich Kendall sports quiz plus tomato round. Peter Andrews was successful and earned the right to prepare next year's edition - 2026 tourists can look forward to that..

Another enjoyable evening followed, with Richard "Rambo" Down setting a new 3rd XI press up record. He'd be delighted to be challenged to a contest over the remainder of the season and is willing to take on all comers (not his own words).

Tuesday kicked off with an emotional goodbye to HQ, with a few tired looking faces at lunchtime venue The Crown. On the cricket front Ley Hill batted first with Lindsay and Campbell dispatched for a well earned day manning "the wall" a.k.a the road on the short leg side boundary. Oliver Chadwick claimed the prize wicket of the opposition player who always smashes us everywhere, whilst Matt Bartlett battled hard in his now traditional Tuesday marathon spell. The opposition finished on 228/8 declared, which felt about right.

In response Michael Chadwick hit the 70mph opener for a 4, but it was tough going against some pretty good bowling. Last year's matchwinner Matt Luddington was run out by a direct hit from the boundary to leave us 54/4, but a brilliant performance from Samuel Chadwick (79) steadied the ship. 50 off 9 overs with 5 wickets left suddenly felt very doable, but the lower middle order powerhouse of Campbell, Kendall, Streather had other ideas and collapsed to 186/8. Fortunately Shiraz Husain (91 not out) was batting magnificently at the other end and with support from Oli Chadwick we edged towards victory.

In the final over 6 runs were required with 2 wickets remaining, which after some sensible batting became 1 run needed with 2 balls left. Alas Ollie Chadwick was dismissed to much amusement, meaning last man Bartlett needed a single from the final ball of tour for the win. Cue tension, drama and....a snick behind for a tied game with WWCC finishing on 228 all out. A brilliant match and a fantastic advert for both friendly cricket and the tour. Full scorecard available here.

Overall it was another really enjoyable tour and was fantastic to end on a high. Thanks to John Kendall, Richard Kendall & Simon Eddolls for all their work organising the trip, plus all of the drivers who help to make it possible by ferrying everyone around. Particularly Jamie Swann and his super kit van. Thanks also to Robert Waller for his scoring efforts across all three days, plus Peter Andrews and Richard Down for their umpiring when not playing.

Roll on next year!