Written by Dave Hayward

Another Saturday, another fixture in what has been an impressive start to the 1st team season. This one the localist of our local derbies, away to Sherwood, a ground where we have generally struggled to get results over the years. The weather apps showed we were in for a fine afternoon so, of course, on the way over we ran into a cloudburst of biblical nature which meant by the time we got there the patio area was under water and the outfield and square very wet.

Half an hour delay and things had improved so we intend to start. Lose toss, asked to bat (aargh). We welcomed back Jesuit after an off season op to remedy an injury from the end of last season and Kartik following his latest overseas jaunt to millionaire status. A new opening partnership for the season of Jesuit and Abhi started steadily against one of the division’s fastest bowlers (sorry Lucas) and saw off the opening attack before losing Abhi. What followed was a series of even partnerships building the score bit by bit. Jesuit was the pick of the scorers, finally out for 45. At 153 for 7 we were probably looking at a score of around 180 but we bat all the way down these days and Govind, Coney and Sanket swung mightily and ran brilliantly to take us to what was generally agreed to be an above par score of 212 for 9 in 45 overs.

200 on the board at half time, if we get an early couple and bowl well we should be able to defend it and what followed was exactly that. Lucas, happy that Samir was happy to bowl up hill, bowled with pace and swing. Samir up the hill was at times unplayable. Between them they mopped up 9 of the wickets, 7 of them bowled, with Lucas bagging his first 5-fer for the season, leaving Ian to bag the final one and bowl Sherwood out for 65 in the 19th over.

A terrific win which kept us in 2nd place in the division, a quick drink in the home bar, as is the tradition, and back to Blue Bell Hill to see the 2nds wrap up a last gasp 9 down last over win against the same opposition followed by an evening bbq. Good day.