25 years had passed since Bearsted's last visit to the HAC, a visit which saw a high scoring and hard fought draw. With many of the players from the 1999 instalment in attendance - Richard Luxton, Andy Naish, club President Stephen Pearce, the ubiquitous scorer Robin Cross - how would Bearsted's current generation fare at one of the country's most historic cricket venues?

After the luxurious coach journey, players and supporters took in the ground and surroundings upon arrival. From the quaint and historic Bearsted Green, HAC's ground certainly seemed alien. Encircled by a mix of contemporary glass high rises and Georgian terraces, the ground's flat outfield and hard pitch screamed bat first. After a close inspection of the visible pitch, what would we do if we won the toss? Bat ? Amidst the speculation over how it would play, the groundsman unveiled the adjacent pitch, the one we would actually be using from under the covers to everyone's amusement.

Bat first again the consensus, James West soon tossed up, inevitably lost, and Bearsted were asked to bowl. Lush and Steve Benjamin opened up. It was immediate the pitch wasn't the road it looked to be as both bowlers found nibble and swing early on. Once Lush had settled in, he removed the HAC opener with a ripper of an inswinger, taking the top of off.- even his own team mates begrudgingly admitted it was a good ball. Despite Benj, Si, and Croomy's attempts to sabotage the opening bowlers by dropping absolute dollies, Lush's nagging inswing got an LBW and another bowled to leave the HAC teetering at 41-3. Veteran Stevie B soon joined the party, nipping one beautifully through the gate to make it 43-4, thankfully removing the chance of a Lush ten-fer.

After drinks, Haggart joined in the action, swinging the ball both ways with expert control once settled in. He inevitably nicked off their number 6, Shuttsy taking an easy catch. Ben Lush at the other end was unlucky to not take a wicket when his own brother Alex dropped a sitter at slip. At one point, Croomy was absolutely nailed in the knee by a shot to cover, the ball flying up tens of metres after whacking his knee bone, a moment which brought Max Patton on the field as a surprise twelfth man, producing a faultless fielding display. Haggart had a half volley slapped to West at mid off for his second wicket. 75-6. Haggart finished with great figures of 2-7 (6) with 3 maidens.

Lewis was unlucky not to get a wicket when going up for a caught behind, with what sounded like a clear edge. Ben Johnston replaced Ben Lush to mop up the tail, his bowling was too good for the tail. Despite some late hitting, the HAC were all out for 135.

After tea in a very grand tea room, Bearsted opened the chase with James West and Tim Lush. HAC's openers bowled with good speed and control and Tim was bowled by an absolute ripper, nipping away to hit the top of off. West ,as ever, hit exclusively through third man whilst Ben Johnston at 3 played a delightful cover drive, the best 2 runs he'll ever hit as it plugged in the shockingly slow outfield. West got a ball that popped though, and couldn't get his glove out of the way in time, feathering behind to make it 31-2. Johnston then got a ripper, jumping up onto his glove, out caught for 12. 31-3. Barker was adjudged LBW to worsen the early collapse. Dave Shutt was then out, flashing a drive and nicking to the keeper to worsen matters, 50-5. Haggart meanwhile, played a gritty innings, occupying the crease for 45 minutes and nailing a cover drive for an invaluable and rare four. Lewis was next out , given caught behind though it looked to have come off his pad rather than his bat. Suffice to say he wasn't happy with the decision. Alex Lush didn't trouble the scorers. "If you're gonna nick it, nick it to second slip." Lush didn't seem too displeased with his slash at a wide full ball. Johnny was the next out as one nipped through the gate for a hard fought 12. Number ten Tim Croom, hidden in the tail due to his earlier knee injury timed the socks off almost every ball he hit and looked to have steadied the ship with Steve Benj. Croom's lofted extra cover drive was undoubtedly the shot of the day, bouncing just metres before the boundary. Stevie B, having batted sensibly, soon couldn't resist a heave at a full straight one, bowled for 6. 78-9. Shouts of Crooooom nonetheless grew ever louder, his nonchalant innings Bearsted's last chance. After Ben Lush navigated a few balls to get Tim on strike, Croom was bowled by another cracking delivery to end the game, the result a 41 run defeat for Bearsted.

A huge thanks to the HAC for their hospitality, the tea, and for a great day of cricket in a wonderful location. Thanks also to Robin for scoring, Barry and John for umpiring on what was a long hot day, and to the dedicated supporters of the club who made the journey.