Result – LSCC won by 2 wickets; MOTM Twist; Kit Boy Wilson; Tea Duty Bush.

A new season dawned and as ever LSCC provided the same rollercoaster, edge of the seat cricket that we have all come to love.

It was good to see the same jokes still being used as the new captain Twist went out for the toss, which Rode won and elected to bat. Limpley took to the field with new season excitement and it wasn’t long before they had something to cheer about with Sparky trapping one of the Rode openers plum in front. Mark also bagged the other opener before “Team Man” Bush took over and took a wicket straight away, one of 3 bowling changes made by the captain that resulted in a wicket. Bush took a second wicket whilst Tom weaved away at the other end causing the Rode batsmen all sorts of trouble and completing his economical spell with one wicket. Two bowling changes followed and Richards A and Owen mopped up a limp tail bagging two wickets apiece in the space of 15 balls. Notable performances in the field were from Jimmer who took two great catches and also a sharp run out. Rode were eventually all out for 65 in just 18.3 overs.

Smiles were all around us as we tucked into Bush’s high standard tea on the “new tea stuff”.

Opening for the first match of the season was a new partnership; Tim Smith was joined by Owen whose instructions were to dismantle the new ball attack with some hefty blows. Sadly Martin can’t have been listening in class when he was told his instructions as watching him bat was like watching a close relative die slowly, in pain, he was eventually out for a duck after facing countless balls. Twist joined Smith, who promptly fell for 8, but LSCC rebuilt and reached 45-2 and cruising towards victory, Jimmer was then bowled for 8, Twist then bowled for 27 after some meaty blows and then the wheels then fell off. After a Rode bowler claimed 4 wickets in 4 balls LSCC were 58-8, needing just 8 runs for victory but staring defeat in the face, luckily for LSCC they had a cool customer to carry them home, Sharky delicately chipped away at the total and topped it off with a hooked 4 to win the game and save the blushes of LSCC.

Bring on Norton, although it will probably be called off due to a senior player exodus to play golf.

Nick Twist