Many one -day trophies have come there way in modern times,but despite the many illustrious names that have appeared for the county,the most prized trophy of all has eluded them.

Those names remain much in evidence on a visit to Neville Road.The Grace Pavilion,The Grace Gates,The Grace room,The Jessop stand,The Jessop Bar,The Hammond Room,The Hammond Steps and rather incongruously The Hammond Roof,the ghosts of those long gone pervade the place ,where one suspects that little has changed since Victorian times.
A few modern structures,an elevated stand at the Pavilion end which looks much like a temporary arrangement although in situ for nearly forty years,and little else.

The ground stands in the shadow of the foreboding brick building which once housed a workhouse,a prison and an orphonage. All together rather an austere ground that often gives the impression of watching cricket from a car park.

However today the weather was fine and warm with a hint of a breeze which made watching pleasant enough,and our performance once more was most encouraging.

A third batting point was gained before a declaration which left Morgs 137*.

A pitch slow and unhelpful,some wayward early bowling and an ultra cautious approach from the Glaws openers,promised a day of attrition.But twice before and once soon after lunch, Danny struck telling blows,having Portefield and Marshall smartly taken at slip and spreadeagling the stumps of Kadeer Ali.

Murts chipped in with the wicket of North,and when the dangerous Gidman hit a long hop straight to point,and Taylor was caught in front by Murts ,hopes of a follow-on rose in Middlesex hearts.

Snell and Lewis adopted an aggressive approach and it took the introduction of Finny to break that partnership,Kirby left soon after and when Ireland departed,9 were down and the follow-on target still three runs away.

There followed an irritating last wicket stand,some innocuous overs from Murali and finally Danny's return to claim a fifer and a lead of 111,Karts third catch at an unfamiliar slip position.

There then followed the highlight of the day as Loverboy took tea in the sumptious dining room of W.G's Pavilion,and as usual recieved the personal attention of the delectable Diana,who has looked after the place for many years,delicate sarnies ,delicious cream cakes and a huge pot of tea soon arrived to my delight,and Di always ensures LB gets a little extra.

A late return to my seat on Wally's roof saw our innings underway,Billy looked more in touch than of late before falling Leg Before once more,and AC was brought swiftly back to earth with his second failure of the match.

We then saw a strangely subdued Ace who had pereviously been reprimanded by the umpires for taking a toilet break without permission and ED Joyce in much more fluent mode take us to a near 200 lead by the close .With eight wickets in hand,hopes of victory on the last day remain a distinct possibility.

Well done all,for your efforts,but Danny and Di were the star performers for me today.