Losing the toss, Haresfield Gladiators XI started steadily with the bat punishing some early season rust from the Cam 2nd XI bowlers. However, the openers Lewis Baker and newcomer to the club, Mike Deane (7-0-24-3), found some rhythm. It was Deane who broke the first wicket partnership, bowling left hander Ali Smith. The middle overs saw veterans Steve Rice (6-2-10-1) and Charlie Viney (8-2-23-0) settle into their line and length bowling leaving little for the Haresfield middle order to work with. Skipper Adam Holloway (8-1-23-2) and last year’s 2nd team captain, Chris Wilcox(4-0-14-1), picked up the reins from Rice and Viney and continued their good work, this time picking up wickets including the crucial wicket of Steve Jones who ended his innings on 47 off of the bowling of Wilcox. The Frogs looked sharp in the field and George Parrott showed this with an outstanding run out and a good catch. To end the innings off the opening bowlers returned and looked even better than the end of their first spell. This time bringing wickets to their names. All wickets between the two were bowled bar one snick going through to wicketkeeper Ben Lane off the left handed quick, Baker (6.2-1-19-2). A good display at the end of the innings to frustrate our opponents to 116 all out with just 4 balls remaining of the allotted 40 overs. After a delicious Janet Lane tea, Cam set about chasing the target. Parrott (26) started quickly dealing some lusty blows before skying one off of the top edge to Smith. Lane (28), Denis Booth (18) and Holloway (17) all got in and got some runs under their belts to start the season off. Each of them put away the bad ball and Cam steadily got towards their target. It was Lane and Dane Hall (7) who saw Cam through to the win. A great start to the season for the 2s finishing 117-4 off of 28.3 overs. Next week, Adam Holloway takes his side to Lechlade hoping to continue last weeks good work.
Cam – 20 points
Haresfield Gladiators – 3 points