Tues 2 Oct v Redbourn, match report

So the first game of the new season was a repeat of our last game from last season against Redbourn. I think they had their full strength squad out intending to reap revenge.

They started well by winning the toss and inserting us but that is about as good as it got. Tim S opened with Graeme and got off to a flying start, Tim retiring sometime during the third over with the score already over 50. Dave then joined Graeme and started as though he hadn't learned anything from last year. Well this was Graeme’s view anyway, who only gave him 3 balls before making this judgement and perhaps was feeling a little sore as he was run out for 22 when Dave finally went for his first run. As though to prove a point though, Dave then started angling his bat and finding the side wall and along with John Callender started to build a small partnership. John then fell foul to the first of two rather dubious run outs. I then joined Dave and we put on another 30 before I fell victim to the second dodgy run out decision. Tim M then came in did what he does best, consistently nurdlingly the ball around. Dave retired and Tim S returned and started to time the ball beautifully, sadly one shot was hit so hard Tim M could not get out of the way and the ball cruelly ricocheted off the side wall back to the bowler’s stumps and Tim was run out. Dave rejoined Tim M but fell to yet another run out in the final over. Tim M finished things off with a final individual total of 20 odd. An excellent final score of 170 for 5 (all run out) and full batting points. I also think this is the first game I can remember where we have scored so many and not hit the back wall (I think that is accurate), solid evidence that running singles and hitting the side walls is the most consistent way to build good totals.

Redbourn's openers started solidly, against good bowling from Tim S and John but they fell continuously behind the required run rate and were only 50 after 5 overs before we took our first wicket to yet another run out. With a climbing required rate, we kept chipping away at the wickets with another few run outs and a good stumping from Graeme (in only his second game of any form of cricket since the final last year). They needed 100 off the last 5 overs and more or less gave up, they didn't seem interested in trying to reach 140 that would have go them to another bonus point. They were keener to ensure they did not give their last wicket away to give us full bonus points. The new points system certainly changed behaviours as we had all our fielders around the bat for the last two overs trying in vain to claim the final wicket. They finished on 114 for 5. Final points: 13 to us, 2 to Redbourn, a really good consistent performance from everyone.