The side returned to Northwood for their final game of 2006, the rooms were left eventually in a tidy condition with the only real mishap during the week being  the fifteens room trying to enter the Watkin/Parker folk law but as it transpired the problem was visitors not the room occupiers. Following the mid summer change in ownership we left the Hazelwood for the first time in seven years knowing we would not return – very sad. The hunt for new accommodation started on the first day back. The requested help with the bags disappointed the scorer who is not one to upset as only two out of seven responded in the right manner – thank you Fletcher and Thompson.

Our opponents were at the ground and well advanced in their pre match preparation, we would do only a very light warm up as the players were knackered and Acton continued his losing streak and for the first time this summer we would chase. We were playing the third side in the week that would form part of our 2007 under 17 division, Oxfordshire had been relegated, Buckinghamshire had won their division with Berkshire just one point behind. The Berkshire openers tried to tee off  but were well contained putting on only 39 in 76 as Acton bowled Tan. With Luke Bess giving the captain his eighteenth wicket of the season at 44. Acton returned the complement to Robbie Debenham by removing the opposition’s keeper captain at 74 and five runs later Acton trapped Day in front. Devon was now well placed but Berkshire put on 31 for the fifth wicket when Buzza took his final wicket of the season bowling Payne. The sixth wicket took Berkshire up to 169 when Orchard took his first wicket bowling Donnelly. The week was now catching up with the players as Bess had a sore heal and Smith, having finished his Mars bar, was about to replace him when an unusual bounce from the non turf wicket split Parkin’s finger. This resulted in a first ever visit in eleven festivals to the St Mary’s casualty department. The 90 minute wait was enlightened by a very attractive young doctor but not much else as Parkin finally received treatment from a very conscientious male nurse. In the meantime Berkshire had reached 213-8 off their 50 overs with Orchard taking a second bowled and Whittle giving left armer Harris another scalp.

Luke Bess fell at 2 and Gareth Tidball 11 as the Monday batters James Fletcher and Robbie Debenham, continued where they had left on putting on 136 to bring their partnerships at the ground to 310! It is hoped that availabilty will not create a problem in 2007 and if so these two could play an important part next summer forming the basis of some large totals. They are chalk and cheese in approach but do produce the goods. They batted for 172 balls when Fletcher walked past the ball for a fifth time. He must look at this problem over the winter but with 688 county runs this summer he has made a huge impact.  Next