Following weeks of wonderful hot sunny weather turning up to the first match of the season was more like turning up in August a very dry pitch possibly cut too short meant that we would clearly get uneven bounce. With a strong batting lineup Keith won the toss and chose to bat which may have surprised some.

Russell & Tom opened and the pitch did show those demons, with uneven bounce many from a length not bouncing but a fantastic opening stand despite the odds saw St. Mary’s move briskly along so much so that at drinks the score was 123 without loss. The introduction of the 13 year old spinner Rueben Singh in the twenty second over looked to possibly turn things around when he bowled Tom with his third ball with one that did not bounce and then following a four off his first ball to fine leg Alex was fantastically or perhaps luckily caught off his third ball trying to repeat the same shot when the fielder at short fine leg stuck out his hand to try to stop the ball and successfully saw it bounce up off his hand into the air where after juggling managed to eventually hold on to it. This brought Toby in to support Russell with the score at 128 for 2. Toby then had an astonishing innings, initially Russell passed a hundred for his second St. Mary’s century all the time Toby was closing in on this too. The last over came with Toby needing 10 to achieve this, Russell gave away his wicket to help Toby get back to strike but unfortunately he edged the next ball behind for 98 off just 59. An awesome task from the St. Mary’s batters to see us to 307 for 4.

In reply Old Basing were quickly in trouble, Alex opened the bowling to clean bowl the very good Old Basing opener Huntingdon with his second ball only for it to be called a no ball. But Alex repeated this the next ball to successfully dismiss Huntingdon. Alex bowled a great spell he was just too fast for the Old Basing batsmen who couldn’t cope with this pace and the variable bounce. Alex picked up 4 for 26 in his 8 over spell to rip the heart out of Old Basing. Only Rueben Singh managed to handle Alex, at 13 he is clearly an amazing talent a brilliant batsman and bowler and he fielded really well. Eventually Alex did get Rueben. The other St. Mary’s bowlers struggled in their first match of the season Ali bowled well but was targeted by Gregor Stronach who scored quickly off all the bowlers to reach 65 off 51 balls before Toby caught him well in the covers to given Benesh Tobin his first wicket off his first legal ball for St. Mary’s. Eventually Old Basing were 187 all out to give St. Mary’s a big win to start the season.

Great credit to Old Basing he persevered with great spirit and friendship in what must have been a difficult match for them. Thanks too to Janet with a treat of a tea to lift everyones spirits.