As students of Henry Piddington's work in 1840 will confirm, in late summer the southern end of the gulf-stream often provides the perfect conditions for a "baroclinic zone". As the barometric pressure starts to fall a "greenhouse" is created as the prevailing warm air starts to release its vaporised heat. The power and energy of this process creates an independent meteorological body that can no longer be confined or its willpower restrained. One that can render worthless all that might pitifully stand before it. One that is known as a…TORNADO!

As the inhabitants of Cuddington revelled in the final whiffs of summer and the shadows lengthened across the old cricket square, such a storm was brewing many miles away.

		The news broke on Wednesday. Sky TV's Francis Wilson was the first to highlight the impending problem. A tornado was on its way and, like last year, there seemed to be little in its way. As the blue triangles and red semi circles converged throughout the day, it became clear that Saturday was to be the day and Cuddington the location. An hourly vigil was established and plans a.), b.) and c.) were formulated. Surely Cuddington wouldn't buckle in the face of the storm. Surely cricket, God's game after all, would be played and the opportunity to win back the Tonsley Events Challenge Trophy would not be spurned by the village… All were encouraged to pray.
Tonsley Tornados 2006: Ant Dutton, Rob Bruce, Mark Turner, Nick Moxon, Ed Irvin, Giles Tebbitts, Andy Moxon, Andrew Flood, Jerry Salsby, Simon Woolf (and Martin Bellamy)

Saturday morning arrived and it seemed that the prayers had been answered. With the rain lightening and the skies noticeably brighter than the previous day, the Tornado's intensity appeared to be dieing. Was this to be an omen for the Tonsley Tornados?

The side featured a number of changes to the victorious 2005 side. In came Antony Dutton (a.k.a. the "Somerset Slogger"), the all rounder Nick Moxon and Andrew Flood the famed specialist long boundary fielder.

Cuddington won the all important toss and chose to bat

Despite starting brightly with Rob Bruce and Andrew Moxon bowling a number of good early overs, Cuddington soon started to dominate with a number of the Tonsley second string bowlers finding the conditions difficult to master. Both Mark Turner and the captain Woolfy toiled hard, but the ball now resembled a sponge and encouraging it to swing or "dobble" was nigh on impossible.

As the overs ticked by, both Jerry Salsby and Antony Dutton were called into bowl and finally the breakthrough came. Great bowling by both put Cudders on the ropes and Andrew Moxon's second spell finished them off. In total, Cuddington scored 154 for 7 off their 20 overs. With Tonsley needing almost 8 an over, the contest was finely balanced.

Tonsley opened with Nick Moxon and Antony Dutton. While the former demonstrated his class with a number of quick singles, the latter showed his power with a peach of a six and equally well hit four. However, this aggression proved to be his downfall and it wasn't long before he was caught in the outfield by Sam Grigg.

Next came Martin Bellamy who showed patience and skill to amass a tidy 12, but just as he seemed to have played himself in, Sam Grigg popped up again with the second of his three catches.

Andrew Moxon steadied the ship at number 4, but at the other end Ed Irvin, Rob Bruce, Andrew Flood and Giles Tebbitts lacked confidence and soon departed due to a mixture of woeful shot selection, lack concentration and bad luck.

Mark Turner rallied the team with a determined and flamboyant innings of 19. His three marvellous 4s had Cuddington worried, but the overs were passing and it seemed that the Tornadoes had left it too late for a fight back. Andrew Moxon's return raised the run rate again, but it all proved to be too little too late and Tonsley finally succumbed to 131 all out.

I congratulate Joe Bruce and the entire Cuddington team for their victory. They were stronger in all departments and thoroughly deserved their win. As with last year they were excellent hosts and all of the Tonsley team would like to thank them for the hospitality shown.

And so, despite the hopes of many, 2006 will not be recalled as the year that a Tornado ravaged Cuddington, but rather the date that a prized possession fell into the hands of Cuddington. Be under no illusions, we want the trophy back and intend to address this next year!

SW