On a wonderful day at Bradfield College, MCC elected to bat first.  After an early breakthrough things were looking grim for the Cryptics at 84-1 at drinks.  An inspired bowling change saw Cryptics' captain Joe Ireland bring himself on and get 4 wickets in his first 5 overs including the prolific Ollie Clayson for nought.  At lunch it was pretty even at 123-5, indeed the Cryptics may have felt they had had the better session.  A partnership of 64 for the 6th wicket changed the balance of the match and Richard Coughtrie's striking of 12 boundaries in his 86 not out put MCC on top.   Alex Hutchinson bowled his leggies really well with his seven overs costing just 21 and some sharp turn creating errors and doubt and indeed a chance.   Ruairi Willis pegged MCC back with some tight off-spin and three wickets. A couple of tough chances went down and several shots in the air touched Cryptics fingertips but nothing stuck.  it was a weary Cryptics who came off when MCC declared at 231-9.  There had been a little movement for the Cryptics' seamers and plenty of spin for their two offies, one leggie and one SLA.  

It was a challenge for Cryptics' batsmen to face Old Tonbridgian Toby Pettman who just a few days before had bowled OUCC to victory in the Varsity match.  He bowled fast and straight accounting for three of the Cryptics top four pretty cheaply.  James Westhead offered strong resistance for 45 minutes with a very compact defence biding his time only to fall to a spectacular catch by George Reid.  Ruairi Willis and Alex Hutchinson both batted well showing resolution and some fine attacking shots too when the opportunity presented itself.  It soon became clear that without a to order batsmen building a big score that victory was not likely but there was a good period when an honourable draw looked achievable.  The return of Pettman made sure that wasn't the case and he ended with 5-20.  

The weather was wonderful, the catering excellent and the Bradfield facilities superb.  Cryptics' President thanked MCC and his players and all at Bradfield.  Does this level the series between Cryptics and MCC which began in the Cryptics Centenary season at Radley?