The season started in glorious fashion in all respects. This was the hottest early May bank holiday weekend since records began. The visitors were near neighbours Old Cholmelians, visiting Burtonhole Lane for the first time in the Herts league, possibly ever?

David Overton, still at the helm as Club Captain lost the toss and not surprisingly was invited to field first under cloudless blue skies. It proved to be a good toss to lose as the pitch was still full of moisture from heavy rain during the preceding week. As the pitch dried throughout the day, batting conditions seemed to improve.

Old Cholms innings started well enough as they reached 60 for 2, with Letbridge looking particularly assured. He can consider himself very unlucky to be dismissed to a ball that reared sharply off a good length and flicked a glove thrown up in defence of the head area to be caught behind. The loss of their opener saw the middle and lower order pretty much crumble, with no one between No's 5 and 10 scoring more than 5 runs. It was really only the 24 wides bowled by the rusty Village bowlers that kept the scoreboard ticking over.

The visitors batters really didn't manage to adapt well to a slow and stodgy wicket and many of them got out playing good wicket shots, or perhaps Net shots. Inside edges and playing too early were common place. It was the skippers off-spin that ripped the heart out of the innings. Overton's 5 for 41 in 8 overs, would have looked even better, were it not for an impressive onslaught from the Cholms No.11 batsman. Two big sixes and a four in one over, took the gloss of the figures somewhat. Saahil Mehra was the pick of the seamers with 2 for 25 in his 10 over spell.

The Village 1st team welcomed two club debutants into the team on the strength of their Nets performance and the unavailability of a few 'regulars'. Mohammed Amir with 6 overs for 18 runs and Obee Ur-Rehman with a wicket off just his second ball, to bring the visitors innings to a close, both acquitted themselves well. 99 for 9 was elevated to 134 all out, thanks to the exploits of Barker, the self-proclaimed “best Number 11 in the league” and for a while he did a good job of proving his case.

After tea, the Village reply got off to a shaky start, with Obee Ur-Rehman being dismissed in the first over of the innings, playing inside a delivery that just held its line to clip the off stump. Phil Smith (20) and Marcus Cara both settled well and did more than steady the ship as they put on a partnership of 66, scored at a very healthy rate. In truth the Old Cholmelians bowlers were generous in their provision of over-pitched deliveries and full tosses, serving up at least one per over throughout the innings. When Phil Smith drove one of these full tosses straight at the extra cover fielder the score was 68-2 but the visitors were already sensing a heavy defeat. Marcus Cara and Majid Asif then proceeded to bully the opposition bowling, punishing most of the numerous loose balls on offer. Marcus Cara ended 64 not out with several sixes to entertain the rest of the unused batting order. Majid Asif ended up 34 not out and he too looked very comfortable on route to this straightforward win.

No doubt stiffer challenges lie ahead but probably not many more sociable and enjoyable oppositions. Old Cholms played with a smile on their faces despite the result. It was really pleasing to see a nice bunch of lads stay behind for a drink or two and a bit of a chat to their hosts for the day. We look forward to returning the favour at the reverse fixture.