By James Howgate
Scorer - Peter Harding
Umpire - Mike Charman (until penultimate ball of the first innings cough cough)
A stir of emotion which took on many forms, excitement, nervousness, anticipation, expectancy and a little bit of pressure.
We have have the opportunity to put down a statement to the Sussex League not just Division 3 West.
It felt strange turning up at Findon with so many restrictions in place and not for cricketing reasons. I had mixed feelings. I’m looking around the side not seeing any of the ‘senior’ club cricketers that I have played with over previous years, which is bitter sweet. Knowing that the young talent that are now in their later teens and early twenties have so much 1st XI experience along with a new crop of youngsters coming through to put their own marker in the clubs history is extremely exciting times.
We had arranged to be at Findon “ready to go” for the warm up at 11:30am under new club coach Matt Machan. It was a new start and all those selected were there early, getting themselves ready to go for the warm up and it was great to see the personal standards that are being set without instruction from the management.
As Captain I have a number of duties to perform on the day. I started off in amazing style.
Making sure we had enough water and jelly beans to see us through the day. I totally forgot to bring a score book and new cricket ball. Phone-call to Mrs H and 15 mins later we have a score book and luckily Club Treasurer had a ball.
Off to the middle to meet for the first toss of the season and having been asked what I would do if we won the toss a famous quote from W.G.Grace came to mind. The coin goes up and decision to call tails it came down correct and of course the decision was made to bat first.
Charlie Tear opening with Returning Hugo Gillespie striding out to the wicket, both looking a little nervous and equal excitement, it wasn’t long before we were 1 down due to a little bit of miscommunication and Charlie was run out without scoring. Machan came to the crease at three, playing some attacking and risk free cricket getting to 50 in fairly quick timing and doing the honourable thing playing a reverse hockey sweep and being given out LBW for ‘the shot’ against a good friend. At four Reuben Taylor came to the crease to bat with Hugo who ended up playing a pull shot and getting bowled, debutant Josh Taylor coming in at 5 looking composed to start with and looking very good until being deceived by the slope and being bowled. Captain going I’m at six to dust off the cobwebs and help play second fiddle to a sublime, error and chance free innings by Reuben Taylor finishing his first Hundred for the 1st XI. We finished on a fairly respectable 260-4 from 40 overs.
Lyle Aichroth given the new ball and choice of ends started off the innings and starts off with a wicket in the first over. Welcome to the 1st XI bowl straight and take wickets. His opening partner Toby Witham had an enthusiastic start trying his hardest and charging in with the gusto of Usain Bolt. Unfortunately Toby sustained an injury during the warm and split his webbing which opened up again on his third delivery causing him having to leave the field to seek treatment and possible stitches. Ludo Milne took over the spell and followed in the tone set by Toby, bowling with Pace and Control hitting lines and length and taking wickets every over and finishing with 5-19, not only taking his first wicket for 1st XI but starting with a Michelle. Lyle Breaking a stump. Charlie, Ben and Hugo getting valuable overs under their belt.
Great fielding display was lead from the front Charlie Tear setting the standard and had a close out behind the stumps. Awesome encouragement and team work throughout the afternoon was shown by all involved epitomised by Toby coming back to the ground with his hand bandaged up trying to get back on the field as he felt he was letting his new team mates down.
Findon were skittled for 95 in 28.1 overs. It was a great way to start our “road to the prem”
Not just the result. But the spirit shown by all involved not just in the 1st XI but in all teams playing this weekend.
Thank you for letting me be a part of this journey.