Friday 8 June was the date for the first of two fixtures against Uppingham Town 3rd XI at the Recreation Ground. Not wanting to break his successful streak, Matt Rodgers accepted the opposition skipper’s offer to forgo the toss and ‘agreed’ that Hallaton would bat first. After some heavy mid-week rain, the wicket was once again soft and slow and coupled with a lush outfield, this game was always destined to be a low-scoring affair. Thanks to a lively 31 (which included 4 sixes) from Hallaton number 10 Jake Clarkson, the home side finished up with 108 for 9 from their 35 overs (Jamie Holmes 30 and Graham Clarkson 18 also made important contributions). Hallaton appeared in total control throughout the visitor’s innings only to be undone right at the death, eventually losing by 1 wicket in the penultimate over of the game (Jake Clarkson 4 for 22, John Royle 3 for 20, Cilian Brugha 1 for 11 and Jack Measom 0 for 9 off 7 overs each all put in tidy spells with the ball).