The 1st XI made it back-to-back wins with a 79 run victory over Chingford. After being asked to bat, we lost regular wickets as we found ourselves 140-6. However, Harry Hankins continued his fine form with the bat and his 69 allowed us to post a competitive 230/9. Tripod took 2 early wickets as we reduced the visitors to 25-2. A 3rd wicket stand of 77 saw the game in the balance but we wrestled back the initiative with 6 of our 7 bowlers taking wickets. Wogan and Hanko impressed with the ball and recorded identical figures (2-25) as we bowled Chingford out for 151 and 20 points.

The 2s continued their positive start to life back in the Premier League with a 48-run win at Chingford. Churchy showed no hangover after being dropped from the 1s with a fine 94. George B provided support with 49 as we finished our 45 overs on 211/7. Not content with his batting effort, Churchy then took centre stage with the ball; returning figures of 3-19 as we bowled the host out for 163. There were also braces for Nauman. Tufail and Kenny as our bowlers brought home the 20 points.

The 3rd XI won a thriller at home to Hutton; prevailing by the narrowest of margins. Batting first, Usama and Nuts both scored half centuries but no one else was able to make more than 15 as we were bowled out for 168. Daffy took 3 wickets in reply as we reduced Hutton to 30-3. Wickets from Connor and Anuja then saw the visitors fall to 70-6. However, a 81-run stand from the experienced Spooner and Thurston, saw the game swing back Hutton’s way. Burdy then took the key wicket of Spooner but at 166-7, the game was Hutton’s to lose; and lose they did! Billy took 2 wickets and with just 2 runs needed, Connor’s caught and bowled saw scenes at Cromer as we won by just a single run.

The 4s secured a straightforward 9 wicket win at Billericay; their 2nd early finish in as many weeks. After putting the home side into bat, we rolled them over for 84 as 5 bowlers shared the wickets. Clarky, aka the White Gorilla, led the charge with 4-14 and he was ably supported by Harry (2-5) and Naveen (2-18). With the bat, Gary Stanley fell early, although he did smash his first 3 balls from boundaries and Omari led us home with an unbeaten 42 as we were all done by 4:00.

The 5s, the only side to not win, were put to the sword by an impressive Barking side as they went down by 144 runs at Emerson Park. Dustgir’s brutal 165 off 122 balls saw Barkign wrack up 292/5 off their 40 overs. Skipper Spray and Greeno both took 2 wickets but they were unable to stem the flow of runs. In reply, we never looked likely to reach our target and we were 148 all out. Skipper Spray was the top scorer with 25 but we fell well short.

The 6s won their friendly fixture against Upminster with a 3 wicket win. Unfortunately, the scorecards weren’t available on line at the time of writing this so I don’t know who did what!