Poor Natalie. It's my fault. It's all my fault. Being a home game, I had to book in the opposition players since, as the handbook proclaims, no pass, no entry. I never even thought about the need to book in Natalie, who's not played a game for us since week 1. Those chaps at the gatehouse let her on to the site, grudgingly, but insisted that she couldn't stay despite much pleading from both her dad and me. Their hands were tied, apparently. All very poor. So off she went in the car with her dad without playing a game. What a waste.

Which left the two of us, me and Steve, to entertain the birdmen known as the Petrels comprising spinny Peter (previously) with lefty apostles Paul and John. They're riding high and pushing for a Champions League spot so it was always going to be a tough enough night, even without Natalie (still my fault). Anyway:

• first blood to Ed, thrashing Peter 11-1 in the first end before losing out in an epic and fun five-ender
• thankfully Ed bounced back to secure victory over both lefties
• not Steve's night, thrashed 11-0 in his opening end against Paul and failing to win an end all evening, frustratingly

Choosing your doubles team becomes relatively straightforward with only two of you in the team. Step forward Ed and Steve to win the first two ends, lost the next two ends but come good in the fifth for a valuable point. Time for a pre-Christmas drink at the Black Tiles before calling time on the first half of the season.