After the logistical obstacle course of Bishops Stortford, a home game at St George’s felt like a return to familiar ground. And in many ways it was. Geoff, as ever, had the square in immaculate condition. The outfield, however, was a different matter entirely. Four inches of grass is generously described as a playing surface. Hitchin took it well - several jokes at our expense, all deserved - and confirmed they were happy to play. On another day, with different opposition, that conversation might not have gone so smoothly. Credit to them for getting on with it.

Hitchin won the toss and elected to bat. What followed was a reminder of just how much depth and consistency this bowling attack has. Amira and Isla are a proven combination at the top, and once Isla had removed both openers, Hitchin’s innings never really found its footing. We didn’t bowl them out, but 60/8 off 20 overs tells its own story. All the bowlers got overs. All of them delivered. If we are being honest, sharper catching and a little more intensity in the field might have closed things out earlier, but in the context of the outfield conditions and the consistency of the bowling effort, that is a minor footnote rather than a serious concern.

The chase did not begin as planned. Hitchin did exactly what you would do in their position: put their two best bowlers on and gave it everything. A couple of careless shots, some indecision against the spin, a self-inflicted run out and we found ourselves at 13/3 after three overs. Not a position this team is used to occupying.

This is where the conversation about playing brave and playing smart becomes more than pre-match sound bites. The freedom our top order play with exists precisely because of the depth behind them. When it’s needed, that depth shows up. Harriet and Hannah steadied things quietly and efficiently, and when Hitchin made their first bowling changes after six overs - a decision that remains baffling - the pressure lifted almost immediately. The scoring rate climbed, the target became comfortable, and Ellie and Hannah saw us home. 62/5 off 10.2 overs. We won by five wickets.

A word of self-reflection here, and it belongs in the report. Ant wasn't on site at the innings break and I got too caught up talking to other people about the conditions. I wasn’t available for the girls and I should have been. That won’t happen again.

There is plenty to take from this game, including the things we can do better. The talent within this group naturally raises expectations, and we shouldn't shy away from that. But we should also recognise that being challenged - genuinely challenged, as this game challenged us for three overs - is part of becoming a better team and better cricketers. The response when things got difficult was exactly what you want to see.

With a practical head on this win matters. We are now a full game’s worth of points clear of second-placed Hitchin. Weather disruptions are a fact of life in English junior cricket. It is good to have a cushion.