This Covid-shortened season sees the 2s playing in a regional group within the Warwickshire League featuring local rivals Catherine-de-Barnes, Knowle & Dorridge, Olton & West Warwicks, Solihull Municipal and Sheldon Marlborough.

Yesterday's visitors were Catherine-de-Barnes and it was good to see Vikesh Patel back at Watery Lane. Always a popular player at Earlswood I gather we were reasonably gentle with him in the middle!

Skipper Chris Harrison won the toss and put Catney in and the innings couldn't have got off to a better start for the home side with opener Szrejder, fresh off a 90-odd last week, nicking one off Ateeb Shah to gully where Ben Jackson to a very good diving catch. Things got better for the home side in the next over as Alex Booker pinned Bhavik Patel LBW (6-2).

Luke Green and Harry Goodworth consolidated for the visitors and punished anything wayward in a 52 partnership. However, both fell to wily old fox Ian Hughes who dismissed both in his 3rd over. Mitchell was caught behind by James Thorne and then Stuart Reeve pouched Green as he looped one up to point (59-4 off 15 overs).

The innings then pretty much ground to a halt as tight bowling from Guesty and Hughesy stifled the run rate and wickets continued to fall. The next 12 overs went for just 9 runs with 3 more wickets falling. Thorney took a sharp stumping standing up to Guesty to remove Goodworth and the Chris took a catch diving forward at slip off Hughesy to remove Hancocks. Catney skipper Khan foolishly took on Ben Jackson's arm after chasing a ball down to third man and was run out (67-7 off 27 overs).

Dan Empson replaced Hughesy and the batsmen rode their luck skanking a couple of edges for four through the slips. At the other end Tibby replaced Guesty and bagged another wicket bowling Vikesh (70-8 off 30 overs). Slow bowling continued to trouble the batsmen and the introduction of Ben Slade's off-spin ended the innings as first Wardell was caught behind and then a quick piece of work saw Tiwana stumped and the innings finished on 90 in the 38th over.

With the clubhouse still out of bounds an assortment of packed lunches was on view including a contender for the world's largest sausage roll courtesy of Wedges Bakery!

Reevo and BJ opened the Earls' reply and made a brisk start reaching 34 before Reevo was bowled by Vikesh for 8. At the other end BJ looked in imperious form with a straight drive for four perhaps the shot of the day. Guesty joined Ben at the pair put on a reasonably untroubled 48 before Guesty fell for 9 leaving Tibby to see things home with Ben who duly reached his 50 with a pull through mid-wicket. The win came with a lofted drive over extra cover for a comfortable win by 8 wickets.

A good start for the team with everyone chipping in at some stage. Next up are Knowle & Dorridge 3s which should provide a stiffer test and indication of where the team are at.

Man of the Match sponsored by Anthony Collins was Ben Jackson for carrying his bat in a very good 55 not out and getting us off to the best possible start with his diving catch off the first ball.

Scorecard