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A unexpectedly (relatively) comfortable victory was achieved on Monday night over rivals V.I. Paddlers at Heaton Medicals.
The team, spruced with a few new faces rose to the occasion against Chris Rowe's strong looking outfit. Despite a mix up which left us in the unusual position of having 12 players to choose from (the skipper admirably watching from the sidelines after arriving late being caught up in 'very important business').
Vice-skipper Johns took the reigns for his first competitive match in charge, almost managing to look like he knew what he was doing. Having promptly lost the toss and foolishly agreed to 14 overs a-side, Johns chose Halford and Fox to open the bowling. Newcomer Joe Fox bowled with great promise at the potentially destructive Rowe and Crofton-Martin partnership. At the other end, Halford got off to a slightly wayward start but soon had Rowe caught at the second attempt at extra-cover by debutant Swaffield.
Crofton-Martin was looking in ominous form, accumulating while putting the bad balls away, and looking set for a 'big one', but Fox had other eyes and got his reward for some accurate bowling, taking out the batsman's middle stump.
Paddlers scored steadily therefter, with the Martins, De Jager and Swaffield coming on to bowl the latter overs. De Jager's height cause problems and despite bowling the odd wide had Woodley caught behind with a smart piece of work by the Cumbrian whipper-snapper, Moore. Swaffield also took a wicket, with another left hander holing out to Duncan at deep square leg (a supreme tactical master-stroke from Johns who moved the fielder 2 balls before). Johns bowled the last over and also took a wicket with the bastmen looking to up the rate.
A generally good bowling performance, never letting them get away. 121-6.
The impressive Colin Ward and Duncan Scott got us off to a flyer in reply reaching 60 odd before Colin was out for 29. Duncan fell shortly after (also for 29) and Ed Lord continued with some positive batting (finishing 26 not out). Johns meanwhile shored up the other end. Another 50 odd partnerhsip before Johns was bowled in the impending darkness, sparking a mini-collapse that only the civil service cricket teams seem able to precipitate!
After Halford and Naylor departed without troubling the scorers, it was left to Hansie to bring it to a conclusion, getting off the mark with a four and and ending an enjoyable game. 122-5 with an over or so to spare.
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