Well, the season is underway, and I guess its best to start with three real positives. We had a full team out, great support and ‘debutants’ did good.

Now for the game itself….    Well! - we were hammered by a side that, too be fair, are likely to be the strongest we face all season. They had several players who would normally be playing a few grades higher. Electing to bat, the home side steadily put together a good start, despite the opening bowlers, particularly Jamie Carter, beating the bat and also finding the edge. At the time, it looked like a long day in the field, but hopes were briefly raised with four wickets going down for 80. Skipper bagged two, although he looked a tad embarrassed by his ‘Barnes Wallis’ delivery, and Jamie and John Boothby both claimed one apiece. Hopes were dashed pretty quickly, however, with Monty’s three overs going to all parts of the ground, his only defence being “Christian generosity”! Graham Reece, having taken a superb catch earlier, then took his first wicket for the club, which was much deserved. After that it is best left to the final total to reflect on how the session progressed. Gents amassed 291 with P Lund hitting a not out 108.

To be fair we were never, ever , going to reach the target, given that the required rate was upward of 8.3 an over. Sadly the innings was very much a tale of last season with only three players reaching double figures. Sam Mellor 27, and Chris Staight 31, elected to play their shots and reaped the rewards. Neil Lightfoot was badly hampered by cramp but still scored a gamely 13. Otherwise, apart from Al Evans stubbornness, it was pretty much ’as you were’, with the tail folding in not untypical style. That said, the 35 overs were seen out and Chris and John Boothby looked settled.


Post match views

Skipper was keeping a brave face on things, highlighting encouraging debuts. Monty didn’t feel he warranted giving a view after his day, although he was heard muttering the word “retirement” and he did echo Laurie’s views on the debutants. All in all, though, a poor day all round and, one hopes, a few lessons learned.

Man of the Match

Graham Reece