Bedouins v Oldswinford – Wednesday 15th May
Bedouins won by 54 runs

We’re not used to this, having glorious weather for our first game of the season. But Enville looked superb as the new Skipper Jono tossed up in his first game at the helm. In true Bedouins tradition, he lost the toss and Bedouins were put into bat.

If truth be told, Oldswinford didn’t bring their strongest team, but it was great to see a sprinkling of youngsters, all keen as mustard. Remember the days when we had our own youngster Jono? Taking to the field at the age of, what was it, 14, 15 or 16? I can’t remember exactly, the mind plays tricks these day, but how good to have seen his journey to becoming team captain.

The Bedouins side was missing some hardcore regulars but that gave some of the newer squad members a chance to take the field. And so it was Taylor and Bastable opened the batting in what proved to be a fruitful partnership. They never really looked in trouble until Taylor was run out, but Bastable struck the ball hard in reaching 30 and retiring. At 67 for 1 after 10 overs, Beds looked to be building a hefty total.

Things slowed a little in the second half of the innings. Stanier started slowly, supporting Bastable but was then joined by the skipper who was bowled for 8. Uncharacteristic. Is that the pressure of captaincy? Ludlow took his place but had little time to make a big impact. He finished 4 not out and Stanier 26 not out. Bedouins finished on 109 for 2.

In return, Oldswinford’s innings never really got off the the ground.They played their better batsmen in the top half of the order but it made little difference as Robertson and Tom, son or Martyn Smith quickly took control. As a result Oldswinford were four wickets down after just four overs and that was effectively game over. Robbo finished 2 for 8 from 3 overs and Tom 2 for 3 from 3.

Susman looked back to a bit of form after missing most of last season, finishing with 3 for 16 from 4. Bastable had a couple of wicketless overs for 12. Really, the last 10 overs or so were about the Oldswinford youngsters getting some batting time which was great to see. Oh to be that old again and just starting a cricket career.

Unusually, a few good catches were held by Bedouins. Tom, Jono and Smith M take a bow. Stanier, get in the naughty corner.

An enjoyable evening, good to be back out there. Hopefully more good weather and fun cricket to come this season. Next up, our friends from Kinlet at home on Wednesday 29th.