Following a pre-season savaged by the weather, both teams came into the game not knowing what to expect from themselves, the opposition or the playing surface. In classic OEs fashion, the new skipper Saqi Ahmed continued the tradition of losing the toss and being asked to bat.

The two Jimmy's took to the crease looking to start the season well and after the first over, it was 13 without loss. Unfortunately, some excellent bowling saw Fitzy fall in the second over to an inswinging yorker that cannoned off his pads and into his stumps. Heavey followed a few overs later being trapped in front and he was promptly followed by Paul Lissowski with the score 30-3.

Enter Shaun Gomes and new signing Kazi Hoq, who immediately looked to wrestle back momentum by latching onto anything loose. Shaun took the slow outfield out of the equation by looking to hit over the in-field whilst Kazi manoeuvred the ball into any gap he could find.

The two complemented each other well, scoring at a similar pace as they took control of the game and moved us into a strong position. Shaun reached his 50 but was dismissed right after as he was beaten by an off-cutter to end the magnificent partnership of 95.

This was the opening the Bushey attack was looking for and capitalised on, many a batsman came and soon departed as only Sheldon Greenland offered any support to Kazi in setting a first innings total which the partnership of Shaun & Kazi suggested was possible.

Kazi finished up with a brilliant 70 on debut and helped us reach 176, a decent total but one we would have to bowl well to successfully defend.

Buzzer and Sheldon looked to bring the fire at the start of the innings and put Bushey on the back foot. Buzzer did this superbly removing an opener and the number 3 both bowled after building pressure owing to his excellent lines. At the other end, Sheldon was bringing the heat and as his spell went on, his rhythm improved and he was rewarded with a wicket, courtesy of a good catch from a bottom edge by Charlie Scutt.

Skipper Saqi brought himself & Jimmy Michelin on looking to continue on from the openers, and boy did they deliver. Jimmy dismissed the Bushey number 4 with a perfect leg-spinning delivery taken at first slip by Kazi. In his next over, he removed two more in consecutive balls and we took complete control. Jimmy picked a further wicket to end with figures if 4-16, before Saqi took two wickets of his own. The innings and match were ended when Kazi bowled the Bushey number 11 to see the boys finish with a 101-run victory.

Next week we travel to St Margaretsbury and look to continue the good work.

#comeonyoueees