After six consecutive matches away at Hartley Wintney III, the new league format this year sees us playing them at home for the first time since 2017. It's gloomy and drizzling between 12 and 1 and it's no surprise when Hartley choose to field when they win the toss. The grease on the top actually makes batting arguably a touch easier on the otherwise bone dry, patchy strip and Tom and Andy ease the score to 79 in the 15th over before Andy pulls a long hop from spinner Pack straight to short midwicket. Not for the first time this season a spinner induces a collapse with Ty and Jambo falling in quick succession. Tom bats on steadily and Steve does what he does best in the middle order, putting away the bad ball and getting to 36 off 42. The innings threatens to subside away before debut boy via Oakley Park, Sam, hits out, firing a quick 37 and lifting the score to 206/8 at the end of the 40.

In reply Pack junior looks good for his 38 but Hartley never really get going. Nevertheless, with extras contributing handsomely and regularly to their score (we gift them a ridiculous 63 in all) they are never truly out of it either, and a tidy win in the end is down to Ty's 4 wickets and Sam backing up his batting with a tight and pacy spell of 3/18. If he played regularly he'd be a weapon in this league.

Hartley are always a good bunch to play against, and matches are invariably close, this one being no exception. After 5 losses and a rained-out Saturday last week, it's good to get a solid win on the board!