It was a bright, hopeful evening at the 'Wood — birds chirped, fielders stretched, and somewhere in the distance, a trumpet player practiced a love theme from a film no one had seen.

The Dinosaurs had first strike, and they arrived at the crease like hopeful romantics, ready to write a story of heroics. But as anyone who’s tried online dating knows, the start is rarely smooth.

Ollie Howell and James Sherwin-Smith were the cricketing equivalent of an awkward double date. Howell swiped right on a loose delivery and edged it straight to Harry Crawford — gone for 4. Sherwin-Smith followed shortly after, clean bowled for 4. At 26/2, the Dinosaurs were already wondering whether they should’ve just stayed home and watched *Notting Hill*.

Then came Paul Howard — composed, charming, eyes locked on the gaps. He danced down the pitch like a man who knew his way around a dinner party. 25 from 18 — elegant, exciting, and just when he started building something, he got run out. Classic.

But the scene-stealer was Dru Tunstall. Effortlessly confident and devastatingly effective, Dru made 31 off 19 before walking away on his own terms — *retired not out*, because some people just know when to leave while they’re ahead. A cricketing Hugh Grant.

Felix Teasdale was run out without facing the plot. Nick Courtenay-Evans was caught and bowled before his subplot could develop. Dylan Tunstall and Imran Gill each gave us brief montages — a dab here, a flick there — before they too were written out.

Only Lewis Teasdale, the dependable supporting actor, stayed through the chaos. His 25\* from 25 was calm, unflashy — a text that says, “Home safe. Had a nice time.” Edward Cload joined for a few quiet overs, not out on 3. The credits rolled on **124/8 from 100 balls**. Not a grand declaration of love, but something to defend.

Llamas Chase — Chasing 125 is like dating someone your friends all think is "totally your type" — sounds easy, but somehow it never is.

Scott Evans tried to anchor the chase but took 19 balls to score 9. Polite. Considerate. But not very exciting. He was run out by Ollie Howell — full circle, no hard feelings.

Then came Max Evans — confident, cheeky, and very into sixes. 30 off 13. He hit the ball like it had insulted his playlist. And then, just like that, he retired not out. No dismissal. No drama. Just “Thanks for the memories.” A highlight reel on legs.

James Malley made 9. Ollie King chipped in with 6. Not terrible, not memorable. Dillawer Lucas brought some spice — 20 off 13 — but was stumped like someone caught checking their ex’s Instagram. Murad Lucas lasted one ball. Harry Crawford, two. And suddenly, the Llamas were 82/6 — one plot twist away from disaster.

But in walked Lucas Evans and Kyle De Beer. They didn’t panic. They didn’t oversell. They just played good shots, ran hard, and looked like they belonged together. Lucas made 23\* off 13. Kyle, a punchy 22\* off 9. The chemistry? Electric.

They sealed the win with six balls to spare — the perfect romcom ending: just enough tension, a satisfying kiss off the final act, and two people (batters) walking off into the sunset.

Scorecard Snapshot

Dinosaurs – 124/8 (100 balls)

Dru Tunstall – 31\(19), retired
Paul Howard – 25 (18), run out
Lewis Teasdale – 25\ (25)
Ollie King – 2/12 (15 balls)

Outwood Llamas125/6 (94 balls)

Max Evans – 30\* (13), retired not out
Lucas Evans – 23\* (13)
Kyle De Beer – 22\* (9)
Dru Tunstall – 3/25 (20 balls)

The Llamas won by 4 wickets. But the real win was in the script — the characters, the collapses, the cameos, and the unlikely heroes. Cricket, after all, is just romance with fielding restrictions.