Winning the toss, we stuck Headley in and enjoyed a cracking first hour as Hilton and Hally got straight into their work. An early snaffle for Tickles behind the sticks got our season underway and there was a cracking buzz around the pitch as we made Headley battle for every run. Hilton was unlucky not to grab a few early ones, but he kept coming and contributed to a dominant start. OCJ came on first change and was certainly up for the fight, bowling with pace and removing there overseas with a beauty that knocked his off stump flying. With the opposition going at around 3.5 runs per overs at drinks, we knew we’d bowled and fielded with purpose.

Unfortunately OCJ picked up a side strain, but fear not as we turned to the ever reliable Pager who took control at one end - finishing with 3/29 from his allotted overs and was VERY unlucky not to have a first ball stumping had the umpire been close enough to see the foot was raised. Benzo and I toiled at the other end, picking up 3 wickets between us. Fair play to Headley who had a strong 15 overs and at one point looked like they might post 230+. Thankfully the boys stuck to their task and showed great spirit - dominating the final 5 overs and restricting them to 213/8.

On a pitch that was drying nicely, we knew we had a good chance of chasing this down and Chang and Woz made a cracking start. Both busy and positive at the crease, they immediately had Headley on the back foot and were unlucky not to share a 50 run partnership - falling 1 short. Leon joined Chang at the crease and added even more positivity and aggressive stroke play. Another stumping decision didn’t fall our way and Leon was heading back to the pavilion for a well made 27. Needing to keep the momentum going, unfortunately Headley got a foothold in the game and both Chang and I struggled to find the boundary - resulting in Chang’s solid knock of 40 coming to an end with a leading edge to mid-wicket.

A sticky patch for us saw the run rate build, forcing me to try be proactive and holding out to deep square. With the game seemingly drifting away from us, OCJ joined Tickles in the middle - knowing we needed something special to wrestle this game back. And that was very nearly realised, when OCJ took 24 from the first 4 balls of the 42nd over - showing that his winter training had most definitely paid off! Unfortunately he fell next ball and despite a great effort from Hally, we fell 9 short of victory.

A game we could have won for sure, but loads of positives and I was proud of all the boys!!