Saturday August 29

Burridge v Rowledge

Well on the very last cricket day of this so called BBQ Summer, we assembled for a lovely summer's day to play a game of cricket in sweltering conditions – at least that is what the Met Office would have us believe. The reality was somewhat different. So with cloudy conditions David Lloyd the Rowledge skipper decided he would have a bat after winning the toss – Rick had forgotten to commandeer my lucky coin.

With the game underway, Shannon and Steve Williams were managing to get a fair bit of movement off the wicket, so batting was not going to be that easy – caution being the watchword. After many close shouts for LBW, Shannon gave up and decided the best way to get them out was by bowling them out. With the score on 22 that is what happened, the first to go being Clapham who edged Shannon to Brunchy for 12, then the next ball clean bowling Morant. How many times this season have we seen the scorer's nightmare, when you have to record in microscopic details the following:- ct I,Brunnschweiler bowled S, Mascarenhas.

There followed a third wicket partnership of 98 between C. Yates jnr and evergreen Peter Dickinson (44). Rowledge continued to accumulate runs at a slightly lower rate than they would have wanted, but finished up with a respectable total of 213-6, with Yates still there at the end with 90 not out, a feat that should see him win the league batting award for his 819 runs for the season – well done Chris jnr.

In reply Burridge got off to an awful start with batsmen 2,3,4, 5 and 6 failing to get into double figures. This left the scoring of a worthwhile reply down to the silky skills of Greg Lamb and the sheer brute strength of Paul Ancell. Paul reckoned he did not need Lamb anymore, so he gave him the mint sauce treatment and ran him out, with Lamb departing for a well constructed 73, which included an amazing 13 boundaries. There were a few worried faces in the Rowledge team at Lamb's accumulation of runs, none more so than Chris Yates jnr, as the battle between him and Lamb for the league batting award was very close – at the start of the day there was only 29 runs between them. So Paul decided it was his day and started going for his shots only to be caught by bucket hands Morant for 28. Step up to the crease a Burridge star in the making – 14 year old James Sennett, who caused a few eyebrows to raise as he showed he had some shots and a good defence, but was run out trying to force the pace by trying for a two. Well done James, keep with the cricket, you will make a name for yourself.

So Rowledge finally ended up bowling us out for 166 to win by 47 runs, surely a game of - if only. Congratulations to Rowledge, as the news filtered in from afar that Ventnor had lost, so Rowledge had won the League and showed throughout the season what a good team they are. You only have to look at the league stats and see how many of their players are in the top ten for batting, bowling and keeping.

Man of the match - Peter Dickinson for his 44 runs, 2 wickets and a good catch. Peter always has a big influence on matches.

Final note: This is my last blog of ‘View from the Scorebox’ as I have decided to call time on scoring, so I have some spare pens to give to my successor. If there are too many volunteers rushing forward we will have a ballot. Thanks for the comradeship and memories – so it is goodnight from him and it is goodnight from me. Thank you all.

Burridge v Hartley Witney

Rick on losing the toss was informed that he had to field first, though a little despondent, he soon bucked up when he witnessed Shannon Mascarenhas put his first 8 overs down for a measly 3 runs AND 1 wicket. However he did get hammered in his final 2 overs conceding 12 runs BUT taking another wicket to finish with figure of 10-6-15-2. Truly an amazing spell of bowling. At the other end Steve Williams thought he was getting the backlash of this as he conceded 7 runs off his first over, but then he joined the party finishing with extremely good figures of his own of 10-2-21-2.

To be fair the wicket was extremely low, with not an awful lot bouncing above knee high. A mini recovery was going on in the middle order, with the 5th, 7th and 9th wicket stands briefly threatening to put on a respectable total – step forward Alex Styles who cleaned bowled two of the opposition batsmen, he finished with figures of 5-1-17-2, but also took a very good catch in the deep to get rid of their overseas star. Jezz Wright carried on from his league debut last week by taking the final wicket. Well done Jezz, keep believing.

So Burridge after an extremely good afternoon in the field by bowling the opposition out for 110 clearly thought they were in for an easy ride – alas not – Our usually reliable opening pair were back in the pavilion with only 5 runs on the board. Richard Kenway and Stylo then managed a mini recovery with a partnership of 48 for the 3rd wicket. A procession of wickets then started to fall, and at one stage it looked as if the total of 110 was defendable. Stylo had other ideas though as he engaged in a Commonwealth conversation with the opposition overseas player. The outcome of this was Stylo completely altering the tempo of the game by smashing eight 4’s and one 6 just to remind the team there was a ‘game on’ ably assisted by Shannon Mascarenhas, Burridge crept home by three wickets with 27 overs to spare.

This was a very tight contest, full praise to Hartley Wintney boys though for not giving up after posting such a low total – they fought to the bitter end.

Man of the match – Alex Styles for his belligerent 43 runs, 2 wickets and 1 catch

Burridge v Havant II

On a very cloudy afternoon, Rick won the toss and decided to have a bat. With our now trusted and stable opening partners Greg Lamb and Brunchie, they put on an opening partnership of 111 in only 19 overs. Greg being the first to go for 50 – (how often do you get a batsman scoring 50 and lowering their averages?). Incidentally that brought up Greg’s 700 runs for the season, truly a remarkable achievement. The second wicket partnership then started to develop with Richard Kenway joining Brunchie, they put on 66 in a more sedate manner in 13 overs, before Kenners went for 33 at almost a run a ball, followed very shortly after by Brunchie being bowled for 95, (that ton will come soon Brunchie).

Rick Ankers and Stylo then managed a bit of a communication breakdown as Stylo was run out for 10, this must have galled Rick, as he then set about the bowling, scoring 55 off just 45 balls. Burridge finishing with their top score of the season with 282-6. This is a scoreline they have been threatening to do all season, but never quite delivering.

In reply Havant were never going to be allowed to match this scoreline, losing their first wicket with only 27 on the board. Steve Williams and Paul Ancell (the miser) grabbing 4 wickets between them for only 42 runs. Paul finishing with those miserly figures of 10-3-14-2. This gave Rick the option of trying out a couple of youngsters with the ball – Jezz Wright with his arrays of balls went for 61 but did manage to grab a wicket, whilst Ben Lane put down 5 very useful overs. These two youngsters will learn from the experience and will put them in good stead for the future.

So a very workmanlike performance with Burridge cruising home by 67 runs.

Man of the Match – Iain Brunnschweiler

Burridge v Hook & Newnham

It was nice to see two Burridge old boys returning to The Ridge, Ross Hunter the Hook captain and wicketkeeper, and Ben Thane their opening bat. The first real shock of the day was to see the wonderful sunshine – immediately raising spirits. Rumours circulated that there was a damp patch at one end, so on winning the toss Ross Hunter the Hook captain decided there and then to put Burridge in on what he thought was a sticky wicket.

The experiment with the opening partnership of Brunchie (43) and Greg Lamb (42) seems to be paying dividends – today they managed to rack up 96 for the opening partnership in just 20 overs. Sadly they both got out within just over 5 minutes of each other. So a new partnership was urgently needed, but always difficult to establish such a partnership with two new batsmen at the crease – however we were not left to wonder, as Kenners and Stylo made certain there would be no scares and kept the scoreboard ticking along nicely. They achieved a partnership of 63 to keep us in the hunt for a decent total. Stylo showed remarkable patience in his knock of 36, whilst Kenners contributed 32. Rick then came in to his new role of quick run-chaser, sadly he holed out to a safe pair of hands and perished. Shirley (14) then joined Shannon Mascarenhas (21) and suddenly the scoreboard went buzzing for a few overs as they put on 24 in just 3 overs. Sadly though, we fell short by 4 runs for maximum batting points.

After a hearty tea the challenge was to hold Hook to less than our total. The opening bowling attack which must have been rusty with all the recent abandoned matches, bowled extremely well, with Shannon Mascarenhas getting figures of 3-33, but the sad news was that we lost the miser of a bowler Nick McMurray, with a pulled side muscle. At this stage Nick was in his 7th over, yet had only conceded 10 runs. What a big blow to lose him for the rest of the match. Alex Styles then stepped up and finished Nick’s over, then promptly bowled another 5 overs on top of that, finishing with the extremely creditable figure of 2-25. Well done Alex.

Just in case Hook had any thoughts of passing our total, the spin twins came on, between them putting 20 overs down for only 69 runs – but taking 5 wickets in the process. Paul with 2-38 and Lambie with 3-31.

Verdict: A potentially tricky match in which we rose to the occasion and triumphed, picking up 21 much needed points in the process.

Man of the Match – extremely difficult decision, but I am going to give it to ALEX STYLES for his bowling (2-25), his 36 runs and good fielding. Well done Alex

Burridge v Ventnor

Today was always going to be a difficult day, problems varied from such things as: holidays, FP Cup Final at Lords between Hampshire and Sussex. Oh the deep joys of being a captain and trying to get a team out for a visit from the table topping team Ventnor. So with a team showing five changes from the desired choice of the 1st XI Rick went to the toss and his luck deserted him as he lost the toss. Ventnor had no problem in inviting Burridge to have a bat.

After the first hour it seemed like life was not too bad as make-shift openers Shannon Mascarenhas and Greg Lamb put on an opening stand of 108 in 25 overs. Shannon then departed for a well constructed innings of 30. However the 2nd wicket quickly fell as Cameron White got a very good ball so early in his innings and went for just 1. Stylo then came in to join Greg and the damage repair went ahead nicely, they had put on 60 in just 9 overs when Styles was clean bowled by the Ventnor overseas player Pongolo, but not before he had crafted a well constructed 45 runs. Sadly we then lost Greg caught in the deep for a super knock of 91. Rick then came in with so little time left, but managed a quickfire 33 from just 28 balls; this included 2 mighty 6’s. So Burridge finished on a creditable 231 for 6 wickets.

In reply Burridge old boy Matt Compton, (who had earlier suffered the embarrassment of having to phone us and ask for directions to the ground – how does he manage to pilot his aircraft?) got off to a flyer with almost a run-a-ball 47. Mark Fletcher the other opener was intent on playing himself back into form, which he did with a solid performance whilst scoring 67 runs. A further half century by Westhorpe mad certain that Burridge were never going to bowl them all out. Ventnor managed to pass the Burridge total with only 3 wickets down – whilst this may look like a sound thrashing, Ventnor did not manage to get the winning run until the very last over.

So well done the Burridge XI, you can hold your heads up. Let us now get back to winning ways next week when we are away to Hambledon - but don’t forget to hurry back to Burridge after the game, as it is the date for our ‘Club BBQ’ that evening.

Man-of-the-match – Greg Lamb

Burridge v OTs & Romsey

Arriving at the Sports Centre in Romsey, we were greeted with a few spots of rain. This certainly did not augur well for the afternoon. This was a match both teams were anxious to play, but for different reasons – Burridge to halt their recent form of two successive defeats, and OT’s & Romsey because they are seemingly well adrift at the bottom of the table.

Rick continued his form with the coin, wining the toss and deciding to have a bat. A slight change to the batting line-up this week saw Greg Lamb opening with Brunchie and Rick dropping to the number 5 slot. No Kenners this week though, so Cameron White came in as a replacement. Their opening bowler Mankayi, looked a little sharp and managed to grab the prize wicket of Greg Lamb, who on 22 decided to leave one alone that swung back in and clipped his bails, with the score on 34. Then Cameron White was trapped at the other end lbw, a good ball for a new batsman at the crease to contend with. Stylo came in then and proceeded to get the OT fielders dashing all over the place in his little cameo innings of 22 which included three fours. At the other end the talented teenager Mogg caused Brunchie a few problems, in between glorious sweeps Brunchie gave their fielders some catching practice, whilst they refused to accept his generosity. He made them pay with 55 not out when play was abandoned for the day after 29 overs with the score at an interestingly poised game at 127-3.

Who knows – this could have been a tight match!!!

Man of the match – The Rainman

Burridge v Hursley Park

For the second week running I have to give the sad news that we have been beaten. Hursley Park won the toss and were adamant they wanted us to bat as they felt they could chase down any amount we put on the board. A team change was forced upon us by the fact that Brunchie was not available due to work commitments. So Richard Kenway was promoted in the order to open with Rick, and Mike Harris was drafted in as wicketkeeper.

We got off to a steady start, after 10 overs 33-0, then at 64 Rick (18) departed, and Kenners was joined by Greg Lamb. This pair yet again put on a big stand, this time of 114, before Kenners departed for a well crafted 103. Alex then came in and produced another little cameo of 18 off just 12 balls in an effort to get the scoring rate up. We finished on what I thought was a below total of 235-4 (my usual half way prediction was 265) with Greg Lamb finishing on 85 not out. At this stage it is worth pointing out the standard of fielding by the home side. Out of our total of 235, they restricted us to 98 singles – truly a remarkable fielding display.

In reply we had an early break through with Shirley taking a difficult over the shoulder catch for Nick McM to claim the first wicket at 15. Then a 52 partnership between Wheeler (49) and Miller (29) kept the home team on track. All of their batsmen then got good starts, followed by McDermott with a well crafted fifty, then some brutal shots by the big opening bowler Manning proved that indeed we had not put enough runs on the board.

Explaining the difference between the two teams could be summed up in one word – ‘fielding’- we were definitely the second best in this department.

Man of the match – Richard Kenway

Burridge v Rowledge

Well it all had to come to the end – our unbeaten run has come to a shuddering halt. Rick won the toss, and on a steamy hot day decided the best thing to do in the heat was to bat rather than field. (As it transpired it was even hotter during the second innings). I am used to the tropics during my 30 years in the RN, but with the full blaze of the sun on the back of my neck I had to disappear a few times. Thanks to my colleague David Metcalfe, no loss in service ensued.

This was going to be a real struggle, with both teams winning their previous eight matches, so a close contest was always going to be on the cards. Rowledge drew first blood – and how – with the score on 117 both openers were back in the hutch, Rick lbw to Dickinson and Brunchie edged one from Bonsor into first slip's hand. Our third wicket partnership managed to do some damage repair and built a partnership of 72 before Kenners was out to Tim Wheatley. Lamby then joined by Stylo, with another partnership developing, even though Stylo was dropped when he was on 16, he went on to make a belligerent 41 – how we could have done with another 10 overs of him! Wickets started to fall then at regular intervals and we were finally bowled out for a below par score of 210. I feel some 40 runs short of where we should have been. Pick of the bowlers, no surprises there – Chris Yates senior, despite his man made hips he still moves better than me. Dickinson also bowled well, proving difficult to get away.

In reply Rowledge gave us heart by losing their first wicket with only 6 on the board, when Nick McMurray in his opening 4 overs had figures of 1-8 – par for him. Their second wicket pair of Clapham and C Yates junior then gradually picked up the pieces and put on 61. It was only the introduction of Steve Williams that checked this progress when he cleaned bowled Yates. Hearts were lifted when we had Rowledge at 105-4, but the fifth wickets partnership of 109 between club captain David Lloyd and Peter Dickinson took the game right away from us. Winning by 6 wickets with 3 overs to spare.

Verdict – The better team on the day won.

Man-of-the-match, Peter Dickinson.

Burridge v Hartley Witney

The new Rick won the toss again (can I have my coin back?) and decided to have a bat. Whilst it was a warm day there was a lot of cloud cover, which made batting just a tad more difficult as the ball was swinging quite well. Hartley Witney have a couple of good young bowlers in Jolley and R. Cockram who made certain that Burridge were not going to have it all their own way.

In the 8th over Rick managed to nick one behind to the keeper, this after putting on 32 with Brunchie. Brunchie was then joined by Greg Lamb and it looked like they were going to push on until Greg was out lbw to Cockram, who had at this stage taken both wickets for just 22 runs in 8 overs. It looked like it was going to be a struggle to get much beyond the 200 mark, mainly because of some good fielding from the opposition. Hartley were probably the best fielding team I have seen this season, and I feel they will win more than they lose. Enter stage left Mr Dependable Richard Kenway, who along with Brunchie put on 64 runs for the 3rd wicket in 15 overs. Brunchie was then nipped out for a creditable 54. Hartley still made us struggle but a 5th wicket stand of 64 between Kenners and Neil in just 8 overs got the momentum really going, and the opposition started to wilt a little at long last. Kenners went for a well organised 66 and Neil finished with 47 not out off just 46 balls. So a final total of 244 for 8 was posted, and this was going to be a considerable target for Hartley to achieve.

In their reply, Hartley got off to the worst possible start, losing both openers for ducks, and Mascarenhas thoroughly enjoyed his day by taking 5-35, proving what a good bowler he is, in fact he was unlucky not to take at least a 6 for. Only some late order batting from Digweed (42) managed to give some respectability to the scoreline, before his team were finally bowled out for 134. It is worth pointing out that Mr Miser, Paul Ancell put down 6 overs at just 5 runs for 1 wicket. So Burridge managed to win by a healthy 110 runs.

Man of the Match - Shannon Mascarenhas

Burridge v Hook & Newnham

As is usual each time we visit Hook it is either raining, just stopped raining, or just about to start raining. This year was no exception to the pattern. We arrived in heavy drizzle, which increased to a steady rainfall. There was much discussion with the troops, captains and umpires as to whether the match could even take place at all. Both captains persuaded the umpires that playing the game was in the interest of all. So a truncated match was started at 1350, with the game being reduced to 44 overs each.

Rick lived up to his new found nickname (!!!) by losing the toss yet again, that is 5 times on the trot now Rick – I reckon you have truly earned your nickname. Anyway Hook decided to have a bat, with the rain falling even heavier, the umpires were at this stage thinking of abandoning the game entirely when the rain eased off. The bowlers, despite having the disadvantage of a wet ball, did extremely well. Nick McMurray grabbing the first wicket that of Burridge old boy Ben Thane with just 5 runs on the board, followed 15 minutes later with another Burridge old boy Ross Hunter. So at 43-2 things were starting to look up. Wickets were being taken at regular intervals with all the bowlers sharing the spoils. Only an 8th wicket stand of 58 stopped it being a repeat of the opposition being bowled out for a low score. Hook recovered to post 181-9.

So starting our innings chasing a modest 182 for victory, calamity in the opening over, with just 2 runs on the board (both wides) we had Rick and Greg back in the hutch, both failing to score. What a disastrous start. Brunchie (23) and Richard Kenway then started a mini revival before Brunchie holed out. Up came Stylo – and he and Kenners put on a well constructed 70 for the 4th wicket. Eventually Hitch scored the winning run, but full credit to Kenners for his 95 not out, which included 16 x 4’s. Burridge romped home with four overs to spare at 182-5.

Burridge march on with 21 points from this game. Still top of the table with six wins out of six.

Man of the Match – Richard Kenway.

Burridge v Hambledon

Once again Rick lost the toss – I reckon the opposition have cottoned on to his dubious coin and now provide their own. Hambledon won the toss and decided to have a bat on what was a good track, and with such beautiful weather. Why would you want to be chasing the ball around the field in the blazing sun, so they opted to bat.

For the first seven overs Hambledon were surviving, but just – as our usual opening bowlers Shannon Mascarenhas and Nick McMurray ensured there was nothing much to hit. Then in the eighth over the first wicket went down, with the second in the next over, then the third in the over after that. So after 10 overs the visitors were 14-3, shortly after that 19-4. Only James Scott threatened briefly to take charge of the bowlers, scoring a lusty 35 in just 47 balls. Once Scott had gone Paul Ancell with his spin bowling managed to nip out 4 batsmen for just 22 runs, finishing with figures of 9 overs 22-4. With Hambledon being all out for 105 in the 40th over.

In reply Burridge lost both their openers with only 43 runs on the board, then an unbroken partnership of 63 saw Burridge home, Greg Lamb carrying on from last week's century at Ventnor scored 59 not out in just 47 balls, this included 13 fours. Clearly he is not keen on running in the heat.

Conclusion – Burridge have got this season off to a flyer, and the defeat of Rowledge by Ventnor yesterday means Burridge are top of the table with 5 wins out of 5

Ventnor v Burridge

Rick (affectionately referred to as the Tosser) lost his knack of winning the toss, and the opposition decided to have a bat. Playing at Ventnor is akin to playing in a soup bowl, with the boundaries uphill all the way around the ground. It is quite a unique setting, if you do not hit the ball hard enough it could roll back down the hill to you.

However, Ventnor went into bat, with Shannon and Nick our dependable opening bowling attack. Nick’s first 5 overs cost a mere 6 runs. Burridge managed to drop 3 catches though, one of which was expensive, their number 3 bat was on 26 at the time and he went on to make 108 not out. Paul Ancell put the brake on Ventnor’s scoring with his 10 overs going down for 31, and taking 2 wickets. Some aggressive late order batting allowed the opposition to total 247 for the loss of 7 wickets. Mention should be made of Sully White who bowled 8 overs for 50 runs, his bowling was better than his figures suggested. Always difficult to bowl when the opposition are determined to hit everything. Stick with it Sully, you have a good future ahead of you – you will bowl worse than that and get a handful of wickets.

In reply Burridge had an enormous target set of 248 for victory. We got off to the worst possible start when Rick was LBW for a duck. This brought Lambie and Brunchie together, they showed what a force they are going to be in this league, sharing a partnership of 183 before Lambie skied one and it was taken by their keeper half a minute later when it descended into his gloves. Lambie’s knock was quite brutal, 50 coming in 61 balls, and his second fifty in only a further 35 balls. His final score of 107 was one of the best innings you could have witnessed. Brunchie was no slouch either being out LBW for an entertaining 76 in only 87 balls. When both were out it was the turn of Kenners and Herbie to calm the nerves and see us home with 3 and a bit overs to spare. A great win

So far four games – 4 wins – keep it up boys.

Burridge v OT & Romsey

Game No.3, Win No.3 - what a good start to the season. However at one stage I did not think the game was going to happen. At 1235 the heavens opened, and it seemed that was it for the day. Our motley crew must be religious as they prayed for the rain to stop - it did and we started on time. Thereafter glorious weather apart from the hurricane force wind.

Rick (yet again) won the toss and decided to have a bat, scoring looked a little fraught at times, but he and Brunchy soon got the hang of it. Just when it seemed they were going to rattle up a good score, they both went with the score on 74, with Brunchy 37 and Rick with 34. This brought Greg Lamb and Richard Kenway to the crease, whose job was to try and rebuild the innings, whilst battling with the winds. Kenners being the first of the pair to go for 17, but Lamby hung around for a long time and top scored with 51 - he has promised me a 'ton' before too long, (you heard it here first). Stylo (27) and Herbie (22*) gave the innings a healthy total of 205-7.

In reply, we knew we had to get Charlie Forward, their danger man, out. The combination of Nick and Stylo saw to that, Stylo with a high catch with the ball swirling in the wind. Shannon and Nick are showing the league what a good opening bowling partnership they are, with a combined 38 runs being taken off their 20 overs. Nick with 2-12 proving he is a miser and Shannon with 0-26. The big wicket taker today was Greg Lamb with his 4-56.

Given the conditions in the field I thought our fielding showed improvement.

Well done the lads - you have set the benchmark - now you have to maintain it.

Burridge v New Milton

My memories of the previous year stood me in good stead, with my three layers of clothing – it was not preparation wasted. This must be the coldest scorebox in the league.

Moving onto to the game, Rick once again called correctly winning the toss and deciding to bat first (how many heads are on that coin?). So we went into bat with Brunchie (20) in particular, laying into the New Milton bowlers, after just six overs we were 38 without loss – then the wheels came off, with Rick (45) and Stylo (15) stemming the collapse. Stylo later went LBW without offering a shot. The end was not far away when Shirley was out, seemingly caught behind for 9.

The pavilion at teatime was not a happy place. We just seemed bewildered that we had made such a good start and blew it. All out for a paltry 129. Seemed like New Milton were to continue their dominance over us – they gave us two wallopings last season. Obviously, something had been put in the tea or strong wills and words uttered during the break, that we came out and immediately laid into New Milton.

Shannon and Nick, our usual and dependable opening bowlers, very quickly established a grip on the game. In the first 10 overs we conceded only 17 runs but managed to send numbers 1 & 3 bats back to the pavilion. Runs were extremely hard to come by as the bowlers kept the batsmen hopping. In fact in the next 7 overs we conceded just 1 run. That is pressure bowling. A bowling change saw Paul Ancell with the ball at one end and Greg Lamb at the other. They snuffed out any chance/hope that New Milton had of winning the match. Greg did not take a wicket, but his 6 overs consisted of 4 maidens and just three runs. If the batsman thought that was bad, worse was happening at the other end with Paul taking 4 wickets in his 7 overs, but he did get smashed a bit and finished with 4-18. At this stage Steve Williams was sulking on the boundary, so to justify his match fee he was allowed a bowl – just to placate him he was given three overs, but did manage 3 wickets for 6 runs.

Thoughts !!! What a performance lads – well done, no dropped catches (remember last year?)

Burridge v Hursley Park

First and foremost, a round of applause to Gerry and his crew for presenting such a good wicket. Never seen a first match of the season at Burridge where the sun is shining and the ground looking so great.

Rick once again won the toss (habit forming?) and decided to have a bat. A 58 run opening partnership with Brunchy, before Rick was out caught & bowled for 22. Scoring runs via the aerial route today was going to be difficult as the outfield was a tad damp, so the best option was along the ground for the boundaries, which Brunchy did with good effect – that is apart from his 6. Brunchy had good support from new boys Greg Lamb (23) and Richard Kenway (41), before finally falling himself for a highly entertaining 78.

Eventually we closed on a total of 212 for the loss of 9 wickets. Not bad when you consider it looked like a 200 wicket.

In the field, Shannon Mascarenhas and Nick McMurray showed they were going to continue their good work from last season. Nick bowled his 10 overs straight off with the miserly figures of 10-1-23-0. Shannon managed his 10 overs in 3 bursts, finishing with 10-0-37-3. Paul Ancell not to be outdone grabbed 2 wickets for 31 and new boy Greg Lamb managed 2 wickets as well.

All in all a great start to the season, and I feel when this team gel together they will be a force to be reckoned with. Keep it up lads, great to watch.

Our first (and only) pre-season work out saw us going to Privett Park in Gosport.

On arrival we were delighted to see the new Gosport Pavilion open after the disastrous fire they had. Gosport made us very welcome.

Rick Ankers showed us how he meant to go on this season by winning the toss, and Burridge decided to have a bat.

An opening stand of 70 with Rick and Paul Ancell, ended with Rick being run out for 30, only 5 fours Rick, you are slipping. Paul then went on to make a very fluent 74, Paul is another one who does not care much for running, so carved 11 boundaries in his knock. We then welcomed our two new players to the crease, Greg Lamb and Richard Kenway, who promptly showed us that they were going to add some punch to our batting line up. They made 23 & 29 respectively at a run-a-ball - just wait till they start in the league.

Neil (rumours of his retirement were obviously premature) and Shannon then put on a 31 in just 4 overs.

Then in then field, Shannon and Nick McMurray, who are our regular opening bowlers, had a good workout, with Shannon grabbing 2 wickets. An extremely impressive display behind the stumps from young Jamie Rood showed us what the future has, he took 2 catches and a very swift stumping.

All in all a very good workout, with Gosport showing us that they have ambitions of glory themselves this season, with a rather belligerent 60 from Mike Rees and also a 60 from their overseas player Luke Moore. We will have to work hard in the field to contain opponents.

Verdict - great to be back in the cricket season. To all players, have a good season, but most of all 'enjoy' it, remember it is a leisure time activity and leisure = pleasure.