Charlie fears that Adam’s decision about the maize contract is getting thoroughly personal.

Radio Times: Tension rises as a cricket match is played in Ambridge.

Characters: Adam, Brian, Charlie, Ian, Jennifer, Rob

• Just before the Ambridge’s cricket match with Loxley Barratt, Ian tries to get a handle on why Adam reacted to Brian’s ultimatum as he did. Adam insists that he only has the long-term interests of the farm at heart. Charlie turns up followed by Rob. The conversation turns to cricket and the players head off to the pavilion, leaving Ian as a bystander.
• Adam is the subject of Jenny and Brian’s conversation as they get ready to leave Home Farm for the match. Brian has asked Debbie to knock some sense into him regarding the maize. Jennifer has other ideas… Adam needs listening to; he has his own ideas, principles and ambitions. Surely Brian can see that!
• Charlie greets Adam as he leaves the field, he’s out LBW. He was surprised that Adam walked without waiting for the umpire’s decision. Talk quickly turns to the maize contract and how Charlie believes that its termination is somehow Adam’s way of inflicting “punishment” on him. As Charlie explains his personal position, Roy is out for a duck. Adam instructs Charlie to pad up and concentrate on the job in hand.
• Ian tells Brian that he wasn’t party to Adams decision, that he seems really frustrated with things at Home Farm and that he was talking about the happier times he spent in Africa as a young man. Brian leaves for the pavilion. Charlie and Rob are at the crease as Jenny turns up and reminds Ian of Debbie’s barbecue at Home Farm on Friday. Not to worry, he’ll be there.
• Brian and Adam talk as Charlie is run out. Brian tries to convince Adam that he knows how he feels but to Adam’s ears it seems that he’s being accused of having a mid-life crisis. He assures Brian in no uncertain terms that he has deep rooted objections to the way the farm is being husbanded. Charlie leaves the field, complaining bitterly that Rob left him stranded by not running.
• Ian congratulates Rob on their win by nine runs. Adam and Charlie turn up. Charlie is livid about being hung out to dry by his partner. Rob should have run. Charlie looks to Adam for support but finds none. It was Rob’s call and it was the right decision. Brian vainly tries to talk to Adam, just as they all adjourn to The Bull, except Charlie. He tells Brian that he feels that Adam has it in for both of them.