Upon winning the toss, Matt took the very standard early season approach to allow the opposing team to bat on what looked like a good wicket. Our opening bowling partnership was carried through from last season with Matt and professional shot-put bowler Callum Hassett looking to take early wickets. They managed just that with Callum removing both Ali and Jakeman within his first two balls, bringing their captain, and best player, Sayed to the crease. However, his reputation didn’t trouble Matt who finally decided to stop sending down leg side wides and instead bowled a beauty to remove him, putting Earlswood in a commanding position with Fillongley at 26-3.

Matt and Callum were replaced by Elliot and Arron who looked to continue to build the pressure despite a slight resurgence led by the surviving opener Carty. Arron got his rewards when he first removed Blackmore with a short ball that got hooked to Elliot on the deep square leg boundary, and then removed Carty with a wonderful delivery knocking over the stumps. Ateeb replaced Arron and Marvin Rice, the King of the Cotswolds, came on to replace Elliot.

Marvin showed just why he is the King with a trademark accurate bowling spell; he removed Copson in the process. Ateeb then showed his class by trapping Skelding LBW and then had two further wickets, both caught and bowled, before Hassett returned to the attack to take the final wicket, leaving Fillongley’s total at 155. A special mention goes to Stuart ‘chocolate wrists’ Reeve for his persistence in the field despite not being able to catch a cold.

Earlswood began their innings in a similar fashion to Fillongley: with Ben falling early on being bowled on 0, providing us with our first duck of the season. Thanks for coming Ben. Alex and Reevo then displayed some fine test match batting, taking us to tea on 26-1 after 14 overs, with the former beginning to play some expansive shots.

With the first ball after tea, Alex’s innings (16) came to a close when he played on to his own stumps, bringing captain and star player Matt to the crease (yes he allows himself to open the bowling and bat 4). Matt continued where he left off last year, with some fantastic, aggressive batting, dispatching the bad balls with class. He raced to his half century but fell soon after on 64. Reevo (38*) began to then bat more freely, whilst ensuring he batted through the overs to see us home. Craven (10) and Narotra (5) were both dismissed in quick succession, leaving Reevo and the King to see us home to a commanding victory.

Our season continues next week with a home game against Moseley Ashfield.