At last, the first game of the season, away to Waddington.

After weather affected games at Cuxwold and Kelsey and the inability of first Fincham, then us at Spalding to raise a team, there was the possibility of me being an unbeaten captain due to having never played a game!

Well with sunny skies to greet us and the first toss won I decided to bat. We'd had very little cricket so the chance for me to assess the team's form was just too hard to resist. The openers, Andy Daubney (What?... I normally Bat No.11!) and Dan Normandale were despatched to "see off" the opening bowlers.

They were back pretty soon along with the top order all back in the Pavilion for 28, (the mantle of “trigger” being taken from Richard Fussey, by Andy Worthington) This gave debutant batsman Dick Smith, the will to carry his bat to the 36th over scoring 43 supported by Mark Robinson, 29, Richard Fussey, 14 and Matt Bibby, 21 and a 5 ball 17 by me. The tail definitely “wagged” adding 48 runs. Solid bowling by Waddo’s opening pair G.& B Evans was eventually overcome though at one point I thought we would have a low total to bowl at but 198 off 40 overs was a good return.

So, after Waddington’s as usual great tea, we took to the field. Mick Corden with the gloves and the opening bowlers with limited success but to be fair solid figures being returned by Matt Bibby and Will Bradford. At 81 for 2 in the 21st over came the introduction of R.Sutton, to break the stand developing between T Evans and B.Evans. This broke the opposition's spirit and with Richard returning figures of 2 for 5 from six overs and Richard Fussey giving us 3 for 20 also from six overs we bowled them out for 117 in 38.3 overs.

A hot day with good travelling support enjoying their view of to the accompanying sound of running wate. (Choosing to sit next to a fence to shelter from the wind they managed to park up next to the players latrine!) The song "Yellow River” will never mean the same again!

Can’t wait for the next game!

So to the second game of the season, Upton & Kexby.

The hottest day of the year, winning the toss again!!... and with an Australian, our nominated overseas team player I decided to bat.
(Actually the home team asked to field as two of their team had to go early).

So the openers of Matt Bibby (“he is joking isn’t he"?) and Dan Normandale were my choice to get us off to that “solid” start. I hope you lot are seeing a pattern here, no-one is safe from being asked to open!

They did the job too, Matt only scoring 2 but seeing off 8 overs from their best bowlers. It did bring to the crease though Mick Quincy, in fine form and ready to show his “Aussie” guest the way to play cricket. It surprised nobody accustomed to seeing english cricket then when he duly returned to the pavillion, out LBW for a duck. Thus the stage was set for Richard Sutton to then score 103 not out, supported by Dan and to a lesser extent by the next four batsmen (they scored 17).

Unbelievably though the highlight of our innings was yet to come! Ian “ Warnie” Radcliffe had to face five balls. I had never heard a batsman due to come in wanting a) the "in" batsmen not to come out and b) to accept bribes to be pushed down the order. Perhaps the Aussies aren't all they're cracked up to be!! However Ian survived, and with usual Australian gusto went on to say, “ If I’d had more time mate, I would have scored a run or two"! (For the record, Ian Radcliffe, not out, 0)

After another great tea we took to the field this time with Dan in the gloves the bowlers tieing the opposition down with great tight bowling. Matt Bibby and Will Bradford again bowled well supporting the team and with Richard Sutton returning figures of 3 overs, 2 wkts for 1 run, just typified the great bowling performance from all my chosen bowlers. However, you can’t keep a good Aussie down so a midwicket catch by Ian Radcliffe off Mick Quincy’s bowling was a truly “champagne moment”.

Bowling Upton out for 92 then delivered my second win. Great hospitality by our hosts again in the pub with presentations to "Man of the Match", Richard, finished an excellent day!