The traditional Swinbrook match, Gnome's longest-standing fixture, took place in idyllic surroundings: cotton-wool clouds drifting across an azure sky, sheep grazing in the meadows, the Windrush coursing seamlessly by, Inti's ghetto-blasting in-car sound system wafting its thrilling urban rhythms for miles around. In an all-day 45-over match, Gnome batted first, with a father-and-son opening partnership of Danny (up from Cornwall for the tour) and Pete Gillman (playing his 32nd consecutive August Swinbrook match.)

After sharing a partnership of 18 in 5 overs, Pete was caught in the covers for 2. From that point Danny, honed by his experiences of playing in the Cornwall Premier League, struck the key innings as a succession of partners came and went: Dave Straker for 13, Barney 5, Mark Way - fresh and tanned from France, and adding his contribution to the fund of Wynford folk lore - 11. When Anton was fifth out for 11, Gnome stood at 114-5 in the 27th over.

The new slimline Lew Chester, making his first appearance of the season, joined Danny, the pair putting on 97 in the next 14 overs to take Gnome to 211 with four overs remaining. Danny, trying to accelerate the scoring, went down the pitch to Swinbrook's M Collins and was bowled for an impressive 84. Matt struck a quickfire 27 to take Gnome to 249 off its 45 overs, with Lew second-highest scorer on 34 not out. The Gnome total included 62 extras.

Swinbrook started strongly, scoring 73 off their first 12 overs. Then Pete bowled W Martin for 39 and shortly afterwards had Trevor Weedon - who had just hit him for two successive 4s - caught behind by new Gnome wicket-keeper Matt Cannon for 51. Pete next had Richie Parker caught behind and an lbw to give him four of the top six batsmen. After another Swinbrook wicket fell, the home side was reeling at 130 for 7 off 30 overs.

Matt Cannon rotated the Gnome bowling and Swinbrook took advantage, Mike Bellenger scything sixes to all parts of the ground. Then came the moment which will remain etched in the memories of all those privileged to witness it.

After yet another Bellenger six had disappeared over the fence on the Windrush side of the ground, Anton Finneran was searching the reeds on the river bank. Stepping injudiciously where even a lighter man might have feared to tread, his left leg broke through the reeds and disappeared into the river. At this moment Anton was balanced with his left leg on the river bottom, his right leg at right angles on the river bank. His body gave up the unequal struggle to maintain its equilibrium and performed a slow-motion pirouette which deposited him on his back on a bed of reeds in the centre of the river.

The assembled Gnome fielders were transfixed, scarcely knowing whether to laugh or cheer. In the end it took the combined efforts of most of them to haul Anton to his feet and pull him back to the shore. Anton stood before them with his cricket boots filled with water and his trousers blackened to the waist with oozing Windrush mud. It was hardly an act of compassion by Matt Cannon to ask him to bowl the next over, thus bestowing his new nickname (previously Trigger) of Squelch.

It was not surprising, in this ribald atmosphere, that Swinbrook advanced to 202-7 off 41 overs, needing 48 off the last four. However Fenton and Anton put on the brakes, Fenton having Mikey caught behind for 49. Swinbrook struggled to 209-9 off their 45 overs, leaving Gnome the winners - and retainers of the Ackroyd ashes - by 40 runs.

Pete finished with 4-32 off his nine overs. Danny took 1-17 in 9, Fenton 1-25 in 7. Norman, making his return after being absent through injury for two months, Barney and Anton also took one apiece. Matt took 3 catches and 1 stumping, putting him top of the Gnome season's catching list (wicket-keeper's section.)

This match marked the last Gnome will play, barring last-minute funding and construction hiccups, at the old Swinbrook pavilion, which has hosted around 60 Swinbrook-Gnome matches, going back to the days of the old Private Eye CC of the early 1960s. The replacement, with new showers, loos, bar etc should be in situ by next spring.

The end of another era came when Gnome switched the venue for the August club supper from the Maytime to the Swan at Swinbrook, where a brilliant evening was had by all. Best news of all came when it was learned that Inti had flattened his car battery by playing his sound system, DVD player etc into the night on the Swinbrook camp-site.