The two openers for the Ladies team, Kate Roche (left) and Kerry McDermott take to the field of play in what is likely to prove a tense, close fought encounter, full of high quality, competitive cricket... or maybe not!

Kate Roche sets off for a single after emphatically driving 1st XI seamer Andy Cooper straight back past him.

Captain Wrong-un - Jo 'Mary' Belcher instilled a highly competitive streak in her team of well drilled female cricketers. Some would say that her win-at-all-costs attitude is bad for the game, but like Steve Waugh's Australian side of the late 1990s, it's silverware that matters at the end of the day.

An impressivly sized slip cordon sets themselves as Helen 'Aggro' Dodds plays another fine-looking stroke into the off side. Today proved beyond all doubt that there is a place in cricket for ladies after some fine all-round cricket.

Star wicketkeeper batsman Kim Goddard sets herself as the ladies look to pile on the runs and the misery for the men. Kim earlier was elated when Mens team skipper Alan 'Boring' Barnard was dismissed stumped Goddard, bowled Roche.

Tension in the ranks as the next pair pad up. A last minute pep talk from Skipper Mary saw Sue Brown and the highly competitve (to the point of sledging the umpires and fielders) Joyce Barnard take on the Mens finest bowling with ease. Some would argue that Joyce has been watching the 1st XI too much given the amount of abuse she was seen to direct at the umpires and fielders when seemingly unprovoked. Who said cricket is a gentlemanly game, eh?

The slip cordon was now taking on epic proportions, with all outfield players bar one lining up in an attempt to find that elusive outside edge. (Right to Left) Martin Loveday, Simon Roche, Matt Simpson, Gavin Mardell, Ashley Perrera, Alan Barnard, David Sans, Andrew Cooper. I think it's fair to say that if the ball went to 7th or 8th slip, it probably wouldn't have been caught.

Caroline Harris, clearly a ringer brought in by Joanne to ensure victory, advances down the track against some sharp Mens team bowling. The Welsh international top scored for the ladies, and kept the assembled masses entertained with some lusty blows down the ground.

Another pep talk from skipper Mary Belcher ensures that all the ladies team are fully focused on the task in hand. Meenwhile, Helen Dodds warms up to bowl from the top end, as 5th Xi skipper and run machine David Sans looks on with trepidation.

Mary cranks up the pace a couple of notches as 1st XI veteran batsman Andrew Cooper looks to get on the back foot and limit the damage as much as possible. The speed gun, and HawkeEye clocked Mary reaching speeds of over 90mph, something that only Lee and Shoaib have acheieved consistently in world cricket. Umpire Tim 'Darryl Hair' Beeden and non-striker Chris Barnard look on fearfully.

Gavin Mardell and Brent Rickard wait their turn on the sidelines with more than a little anxiety. The pressure is really telling for the Mens team, after the Ladies team (coached jointly by Andrew 'Fletcher' Cooper and Archer 'Woolmer' Cornwall) fielded such a strong and well drilled side.

The departing pair of batsmen look more than a little relieved to be out of the firing line of the ladies seam attack.

Vice captain, and troublemaker in chief Kerry McDermott is a picture of concentration in her fine innings, as she looks to dispatch another length ball for four on the off side.

Poetry in motion: Is there any finer sight in world cricket than Andrew 'Tripod' Cooper coming off his long run-up? The 1st XI paceman bends his back to send down another probing delivery against Sharon Rickard. Meenwhile, David 'Collingwood' Sans, Paul 'Umpire or Photographer?' Ryan and Mary B look on in awe at BUPA's sheer athleticism and control. A real example to any youngsters looking for a role model on which to base their all-round game.

Meenwhile, back in BBQ mode, 4 wrong-uns are sitting on the grass for some reason. Adam Herron, Gavin Mardell, Helen Dodds and someone who has asked to remain anonymous show the world why alcohol is not always the way forward.

How scary is this?

The Ladies team opening pair (Kerry 'Winner' McDermott and Kate 'Winner' Roche) in a slightly more inebriated state after a couple of beers. Either the camera is slightly out of focus, or these two really are rather tipsy.

Mushy and a slightly tipsy Barney look like Next catalogue models as they show off the ECC polo shirts. Rhino can be seen looming in the background with his shirt on too.