Perfect Start

And so it starts again. After a seemingly endless wet winter and spring the sun shone down for the start of the league campaign. Apart from the weather it has been a tragic winter for the Park losing three club legends .

Before the start the 2's and 4's gathered with our opposition for a minutes silence to remember the Jugster , Knoxy and Twiggy . An emotional moment. For the 4's it's all change format wise . We are now playing limited overs .40 per side with bowlers limited to 10. As a veteran (sounds better than old ) skipper I am happy with that.

Kew Fours ( The Cumbers) were our visitors , a side the 4's had not played before. Having won the toss we asked Kew to bat first. Colin Philips having retired from football was making his debut and Ollie Rudd was drafted from the bar on Friday night to cover a late drop out. Tring started well Tristan Murrell bowled an excellent spell.10 overs straight through and he beat the bat on numerous occasions with a couple of edges not going quite to hand . One brushed the chairman's hand . He might have got to it 20 years ago ! From the station end KK also bowled a great 10 overs straight through picking up 4 wickets .

Kew were under pressure at 51-4 at the half way welcome drinks break . Ollie Rudd picked up a couple of wickets but pace off the ball became the order of the day as Grouty and John Graham kept the pressure on to bowl Kew out for 93. A fine effort in the field from all. Joe Maggs our young keeper was excellent and Lottie battled on despite a sore elbow. Eight bowled and two LBW's were testament to some very straight bowling.

Our response was excellent. The chairman and Joe Shearman opened and got us off to a solid start . Joe looked in fine form especially after missing most of last season when he almost cut a toe off! A slight wobble losing Nick and John left us 48-2. Quills came in and with Joe finding the boundary regularly saw us home. Despite breaking his bat. Kew were a decent bunch and we look forward to the return game. It was great to be finished before 6.

We joined a crowded balcony to cheer the 2's home and consume ice cold lager . 4 wins from 4 for the Park , Doyley has done an excellent job preparing the ground. You have to love cricket!