Despite the wet start to the season, we have managed to complete some games. 2 wins in the Dukes League Cup has seen us into the 3rd round but, sadly, our National Cup journey is over before it really started.

We opened up our season with a 96 run win over Orsett & Thurrock in the League Cup 1st round. Les and Hanko both scored 65 as we posted 227/6 off our 40 overs. In reply, JP and Arthur tore through the visitor’s top order. JP led the way with 3/16, whilst Arthur’s 2/15 saw Orsett reduced to 30/5. Wogan took 2/9 and Michael Church and Ozzy both took wickets as Orsett finished on 134/9.

We welcomed Bentley to The Lodge in the next round and we cruised to a 7 wicket victory. Bentley won the toss and batted first. Braces for JP (2-21), Billy (2-6) and Wogan (2-24) helped us limit them to 141/9. That total was never going to be enough and we cantered to victory in the 20th over, with JP’s unbeaten 65 leading the way.

On Sunday, our ECB National Club Championship campaign came to an abrupt end as fell to a 7 wicket reverse against Waltham. Batting first, we were bowled out for 109. Hanko top scoring with 35. Sadly that was never going to be enough to defend and the visitors cruised to victory in the 21st over. A disappointing defeat in a competition that we were keen to go far in this season.

There has been very little cricket elsewhere with the rain wrecking havoc for our 2s, 3s and 4s. The only completed game saw the Whitlocks steal the show in a 49 run win over Harlow 2s. Marc led the way with the bat. His 45 top scoring in our 217/9. Billy then took 4/22 on his 2nd XI debut as we bowled Harlow out for 168.