Willoughby VS Podington CC

The morning saw rain and the cricket game didn't look promising, however after losing the toss and being asked to bowl first we got a game in which took everyone by surprise.

After a small team talk by Ben Hollis everyone was ready and fired up for the first league game of the season. With rain threatening at any second, Dan Farrow and Mark Fell took the new ball and got to work. Farrow quickly dismissed both opening batsmen for cheap 3-2 off 3 overs. Fell was unlucky not to pick up any wickets in his first six overs spell after causing all sorts of problems for Podington batsmen but he did manage to dismiss one batsmen later on in the innings with a fine catch in the deep from Callum Hanks. Mark finished 7-1 off 6.4 overs and Dan with superb figures again 9-2 off 8 overs. First and only bowling changes saw Callum Hanks replacing Dan and Jake Quinney replacing Mark. Callum coming back from a knee injury was keen to put his name in the book amongst the wickets. In his third over he picked up 2 wickets with two well held catches from Scott Cluley, and kept piling on the pressure bowling 9 overs straight taking apart the middle order and finishing the day with 5-25. Jake Quinney bowled well and kept the lower order batsmen on their toes with a few short balls to spice things up but managed 2 wickets in his 8th over and finished with 2-36 off 10. Podington all out 80 off 33.4 overs.

After some heated chat and comments in the field Podington couldn't wait to start there inning in the field. Chait Kurusala and Scott Cluley got the Willoughby innings off to a good start seeing off the first couple of overs picking up some nice singles. Scott was first to go after being bowled by there opener bowler for 4 and Chait was next being dismissed for 15. Ashley Rayner and Martyn Norman thrived off Podingtons awful chat and " banter " in the field and got the job done very quickly. Martyn 31* had some tasty looking half trackers and full tosses which he dispatched with ease. Rayner 12* played some lovely shots and picked the gaps beautifully. Both saw us home with 23 overs remaining.

A very solid start to the season and got the job done. Keep up the good work chaps and on to next weekend.