Brooke CC Club Captains Corner

Evening guys,

Fantastic effort for yesterday, a great game of cricket which we narrowly lost, but we can take a lot of positive things from the day.

We batted first, and got to 260-6 from our 50 overs. We were 198-2 after 40 overs, which really gave us a platform to push on to 300. Downham bowled and fielded well in the last ten overs to restrict us to the 260, which was still a competitive target and gave us something to bowl at.

With the ball, we started fantastically - Habby and SP were brilliant, bowling tight overs in tandem and really building the pressure. We had Downham at 37-3 at one point, but there middle order rebuilt the innings and always kept within reach of the run rate. I thought Ed bowled really well from both ends, and Habby's second spell was well controlled. Rahul was unlucky - any other day and the ball would have gone to hand.

If you look at Downham's website you'll see their report - I reckon its a pretty fair reflection of the game.

http://downhamtown.play-cricket.com/content/view.asp?id=10303470&cid=218

We can really build on yesterday's game - we did so much right and we all know we can still do better. I think we can improve our batting in the last 10 overs (it's happened a few times this year, where we've not increased the tempo enough and lost wickets in clusters). Also, our ground fielding was really good in patches but I think we gave them 20 runs through misfields / fumbles, which we can really improve on. With 5 games to go I think we're starting to hit some form and confidence at just the right time, which is great news for us.

Well done again for yesterday - I am really proud of you all for the way we fought hard and played positive cricket throughout the game, we all believed we could win and if we can carry this on, we'll finish the season on a high!!

Training this week will be on Wednesday, 515-530pm

We'll start with fielding before the M&R game, then go into the nets.

Cheers,

------------------------------------

Evening all,

Good job I didn't write this last night, it would have been full of expletives! How we managed to get a losing draw from such a great position is beyond me.

We bowled first, they got 238 all out. I thought Rahul bowled very well, SP bowled well and Habby's second spell showed a lot of courage. Ed bowled well at the end.

We crawled to 208-9, having been around 120-2! We ended up with 10 points, which could have been worse but should have been 25 points.

I've been saying the same thing, week after week. We need to train hard, and as a team. In 2008 and 2009 we trained as a team EVERY week, with no exceptions. Everyone put 100% effort into the training sessions. This season, we haven't had one week when we've trained as hard, with anywhere near enough intensity. You should practice as seriously as you play, value your wicket as much as you would in a game, focus and concentrate on bowling in good areas... This is all really basic stuff and is the difference between winning and losing.

I think some of you just fob me off as a loon when I talk about the importance of practice, and I know some of you just don't see the benefit. But believe me, I'm 100% right.

We've got some really talented players at the Club, and I firmly believe the 11 players selected for Saturday's game were much stronger than Norwich Wanderers. Ability isn't enough to succeed at cricket, you've got to have a little something extra - belief, concentration, application, maturity, controlled aggression.

We've got 6 games left, if we all pull together we'll win most of them and be proud of the season. Its up to you!!

Training will start at 6pm on Tuesday. We've got pretty much everyone available this week, so selection will be difficult. I'll also be looking at who's been performing well for the 2nd team as we do every week. The team will be selected on Tuesday night, make sure you're there.

Cheers,

Rob.

---------------------------------------

Morning all,

Apologies for the late email.

We played some really good cricket (and some pretty ordinary cricket too!) against Cromer to gain a winning draw, which in the end was a great result as we looked dead and buried for the first 30 overs of their innings.

We batted first and got 290, which sounds a lot, but in reality this would represent a score of around 200-240 on a bigger ground. I was really impressed (again) with Sheehy’s batting, opening up. Also thought Ed, Ben Prentice, Habby and Jon Andrews played a crucial role in helping us achieve our total. Jon in particular played some great shots, well done mate.

Our bowling and fielding in patches was poor, and we handed them a good start. We won’t get away with bowling this many extras and four-balls to any side in the Premier, we’re so much better than that! In the end we turned the game on its head by some great bowling in the middle and end overs, backed up by some good fielding and catching. So, we ended with 15 points which is far from disastrous, but a little disappointing bearing in mind that the teams around us won.

We’re now third from bottom and on 126 points. Acle are 17 points behind us, and North Runcton, who are 5th, are only 13 points ahead of us! So it’s all a little tight, and the next 2-3 weeks will really set the tone for the end of the season.

We have a good group of players, all talented and worthy of making match winning contributions on a regular basis – now is your time to shine!!

Club training will be on Tuesday evening this week, although I can’t make it and I know a few of the first team also have other commitments. However, 2nd and 3rd team players are encouraged to come along and train.

We will be having a 1st team squad training session on WEDNESDAY evening, 6pm start. I hope you’ll all make an extra effort to come along. Mills and Reeve will be playing but we'll concentrate on batting and bowling in the nets.

Cheers,

Rob.

---------------------------------

Evening guys,

We won the toss and chose to bat on a belter of a wicket (this chap Bancroft will be snapped up by Lords at this rate). We made a brilliant start again, with Sheehy and Rahul playing some great shots. Chris was playing full blooded pull shots to balls of a good length - must have learnt this in NZ as the MCC coaching book doesn't come close to such extraordinary batting! Chris went for a quick-fire 20-odd, and Rahul and I batted together and put together a partnership of around 100 and started to build a sizeable score. Rahul got out in the 70's, and me for 59. Ali looked in good touch again and was unlucky (keep your chin up Ali, runs will come!!), Ben played some nice shots and consolidated the innings after some quick wickets, and JR looked to build an innings. When Ben got out, our favorite Sturminator came to the crease and (under stern instructions from SP to play straight!!) bludgened 20-odd off about 4 balls, before attempting to launch one into Shotesham. At the time pretty frustrating but looking back quite amusing!!

We ended up on 275-8, with SP and Jez Andrews batting out the last few overs and picking up some valuable runs. I was really impressed with the way Jez batted at the end, showed a lot of maturity. Whilst this was a good score, we all knew we could and should have posted a score of over 300.

Onto their innings, they got off to a flyer with some loose bowling by us and some good shots by their openers. We needed to change things around quickly to unsettle the batters, and the introduction of SP did just that by helping to build some pressure. Rahul came into the attack early on and took a crucial wicket with his first ball, and bowled well throughout. By plugging away and backing up the bowlers we eventually bowled North Runcton out for under 200, which on such a good wicket was a great effort. Habby came back well at the end and Ed Sturman bowled the last man to give Brooke 25 points!! And one of our medium pacers who bowls off the wrong foot took 5 wickets.

Our fielding was much better this week, and we took some good catches. Ben Prentice's catch in the deep was fantastic, and in my view turned the game in our favor.

What we need to build on for next week is the intensity in the field. When we started to take wickets, I felt (for the first time this season) we all believed 100% that we could win, if we put the effort in. This division is tough, and teams won't just roll over and give you the win. You've got to earn it and play harder than the other side, which is exactly what we did. Keep it up guys!

By all accounts the seconds had a tough game, bowling and fielding well but not finishing the job off with the bat. Keep your chin up guys! Back to winning ways next week.

The Sunday side played Mundford today in the Broke Cup Semi's. Well batted to Oli Stamp, who made a good 60! Unfortunately we lost the game, but congratulations to all involved today and in previous rounds - we've done fantastically well with a young and inexperienced side. We'll win it next year.

Onto this week.

Monday evening - Junior training. Please can all coaches help out? 6pm start.

Tuesday evening - Senior training. 6pm start. ALL 1ST TEAM TO ATTEND, NO EXCUSES!!

Cheers,

Rob.

------------------------------------------

Evening guys,

Frustrating day for the 1st team yesterday, we didn't have a lot of luck and didn't play to our potential. That said, we came up against a fairly strong Lowestoft side with a South African who played a stunning innings of 170-odd.

We won the toss and chose to field, backing ourselves to chase whatever they set us, to give ourselves the best chance of gaining the most points. As it turned out, they got off to a flyer and sustained a run rate of 6 per over for most of their innings. We had some good performances with the ball - I thought Habby and Sheehy bowled well in their first few overs. SP bowled his usual miserly stuff, and was unlucky not to get the pro out on a couple of occasions, with sliced cut shots just missing fielders. Monkey bowled a really well controlled spell, barely bowling a bad ball. I thought Habby bowled well in his closing spell, and Ed showed plenty of guts bowling at the death.

But, we did let ourselves down in the field. I think we probably gave them 30-40 runs in misfields, which is totally unlike us and something we will improve on. A Premier Division side has to set a higher standard in the field, it makes the bowlers job much easier.

Also, I think we can really learn from bowling at their Pro. He didn't slog until he had at least 130 on the board, he played correct shots. Occasionally he'd put a good length ball over the ropes, but in general his boundaries came from fairly loose bowling, either a half volley, wide delivery, or one on his legs. The standard we have to set ourselves is to bowl 6 balls, hitting the top of 4th stump.

With the bat, we knew it would be tough chasing down 300 but we all knew we could do it. We had a great start, with Rahul playing some lovely shots off his legs and through the covers. Timmsy supporting him well, also playing good shots square of the wicket. When I came to the crease the score was on around 60-1. Rahul and I both got ourselves set, playing nicely and were caught playing loose shots, which we were both disappointed with. Ali batted very well to get 50, and was unlucky to be given out having edged the ball onto his pads. Ben, Chris and Ed all had short visits to the crease, which left Habby and SP to bat out the overs, picking up runs where possible to get the batting points. Both batted very sensibly and Habby was unlucky to get a good yorker. This brought Monkey to the crease to support SP at the end, taking us past 225 for the extra batting point and the losing draw.

So, whilst it was disappointing not to win, it could have been a lot worse and I was really pleased with the guts showed at the end by Habby, SP and Monkey.

Nets this week will be on Tuesday, 6pm start. I know I say it every week, but please please try to come along! You'll all (1st, 2nd and 3rd team) play better cricket at the weekend if you train in the week!!

Another great result for the 2's, well done to all who played.

Look forward to seeing you all on Tuesday,

Cheers,

Rob.

-------------------------------------------

Morning all,

Team (and order) for Saturday (Targets in brackets as usual).

Dewan (100) (3-30)

Timm (50)

Panter (75) (2-30)

Shearer (75) (5 dismissals)

Prentice (50) (2-30)

Ingham (50) (2-30)

Sturman (50*) (3-30)

Habershon (40*) (3-30)

Pritty (30*) (4-30)

Jez Andrews (20*)

Tom Riddell (20*)

As before, anyone who reaches their target will not pay a match fee.

Warm up will start at 12pm, at Acle. For those of you who haven't played there before, address below.

Acle War Memorial Recreation Centre
Bridewell Lane
Acle
Norwich

NR33 3RA.

We had a fantastic win against Old Bucks and we need to keep the winning streak up now guys! Look forward to seeing you all on Saturday.

Cheers,

Rob.

-----------------------------------

Dear all,

Nets are now back to Tuesday, as there has been a midweek match arranged for Wednesday.

Please pass this message onto your teammates / Junior players.

See you all tomorrow evening, 6pm start.

Cheers,

Rob.

--------------------------------

Evening all,

Yesterday's victory against Old Buckenham was fantastic - we bowled, fielded and batted well. Everyone did their bit to help the team to victory.

We won the toss and bowled, hoping to make use of the slightly damp wicket early on... which nearly backfired on us with their openers putting on a stand of 70-odd in 15 overs! Our opening bowlers of Habby and Sheehy didn't do much wrong, they just played through the line took a few chances. From overs 16-42 we then used slow bowling from both ends, with Rahul and Stu Pritty bowling in tandem. Stu in particular bowled absolutely brilliantly - fantastic control, sometimes ridiculous movement (especially the ball which dismissed poor old Jimmy!) and the occasional grumpy rant! Rahul also bowled very well, turning the ball and always giving the batters plenty to think about. SP finished with 4-34, Rahul 1-34. This really showed the benefit of having two quality slow bowlers, bowling in tandem, backed up by some energetic and athletic fielding.

Ed Sturman bowled some really useful overs throughout the innings, and his spell at the end with Habby was great - again superb control and discipline. Habby finished with 2-39 and Sturman 2-40.

Our fielding was good throughout - I can see a real improvement in Oli Stamp's and Jez Andrews's fielding, they're both working hard at their fitness and it showed. Keep up the effort! To restrict OB to 183 was a good effort; we set our target at 150 before the game, but after the start they had we can all proud of ourselves for our bowling and fielding.

We knocked the runs off for the loss of 2 wickets, off only 26 overs! Our innings was dominated by Rahul, who batted beautifully to reach his first League hundred of the season, 114 not out off only 91 balls - brilliant! RD dominated the bowling, hit anything loose and played proper cricket shots throughout, well done Rahul!! RD was supported by Ali at the end (finishing on 22 not out), and me earlier on (33).

First League win of the season and we should all be proud of ourselves! But we've really got to up the effort now to be successful every weekend from now on.

The 2's got a winning draw, with Simon Cushing smashing the ball everywhere and Alex Ingham chipping in with an all round display, 50 and 5 wickets! Well done to you both, and to everyone else playing for the 2's.

The Sunday side also won by 5 wickets in the Cup - great result and brilliant to see such a range of ages playing, which is exactly how Sunday cricket should be played. Some really talented young players on show for Brooke, the hard work is paying off! I was really pleased to see Matt Carver taking a sharp catch behind the stumps off his Dad's bowling - brilliant!

We'll net this week on Wednesday evening. I know Tuesday is difficult for some of you, I'm hoping that you can all make this week's session.

Look forward to seeing you all on Wednesday, 6pm start. Please try to arrive by 545pm at the latest.

Thursday evening, the U13 and U15's have a game, so please come along and support your boys!

Cheers, and well done again!

Rob.

---------------------------

Evening all,

Massive game on Saturday! Team selection below (and order).

Dewan (100) (3-20)

Habershon (50) (3-30)

Panter (75) (2-20)

Shearer (100) (4 dismissals)

Prentice (50*)

Sheehy (50*) (2-30)

Sturman (50*) (2-30)

Timm (40*)

Jez Andrews (20*)

Stamp (20*) (2-30)

Key (10*) (3-30)

12th Vaughan Stevenson

The targets are what I believe you're all more than capable of..... For anyone who reaches their target there will be no match fee.

Training on Thursday - pls get there as early as you can (RD and I will be there from 5pm). Only Oli Stamp has told me that he can't net because of work commitments, so hopefully will see the rest of you there.

Warm up will start at 12pm sharp.

Also, a little reminder about a couple of things:

Subs - Can you please pay Ed Sturman this weekend!!? £50 Seniors, £25 for Juniors. If you don't pay up we'll take this into consideration with team selection for the following week!!

Kit - If you haven't paid yet, please pay Ben Prentice this weekend!!! Text / email Ben if you're not sure how much you owe!

That's it for now.

Cheers,

Pants.

--------------------------------------

Evening all,

We had a great game of cricket yesterday, with us on top in patches and Mallards in others. We can't win them all (well we can't win many so far this season!), but we can learn from what we did poorly and build on what we did well.

We won the toss and batted on a good pitch - with the sun out and a quick outfield I really fancied our chances of putting on a good score 275+ (which is par for batting first at Brundall - not many sides batting second chase this down). We started positively, with Rahul playing some brilliant shots and looking the fine player that he is. Habby also looked in good touch again, and was unlucky to get out when he was set and looking comfortable. Rahul departed for a quick 40-odd, which brought Ali and me to the crease. We both fell in the teens (I think) to lapses of concentration - Ali tried to smack the ball into Norwich and I tried to play a straight ball too square and was LBW. Ben was out first ball LBW (head up Ben!).

I was really impressed with the way that Chris Sheehy batted - he is starting to look somewhere near his best again, and looked in complete control. His innings of 28 was well timed, but to be ultra critical he should have gone on to score a 50. With JR coming and going, the partnership between Rick Timm and Ed Sturman proved to be our most productive, and much needed in the circumstances. I was very pleased with the determination showed by both and that they resisted their natural aggression until the time was right! We can all learn from this!!

Ed Sturman finished not out with a half-century and played some great shots along the way. His onslaught in the last 3 overs was inspirational!! Must also point out that Oli Stamp gave Ed some good support in the last few overs, well done Oli.

On to bowling - we knew it was going to be tough to defend 216 on such a small ground, but we at least had something to bowl at. I thought Habby and Sheehy were unlucky in their opening spells - with the boundaries small and the pitch being true, their opening batters could afford to play through the line and take a few chances. Oli Stamp bowled a few overs early on, and once he got his first half tracker out of the way (you can't get away with bowling those Stampo!), I thought he bowled very well, and what pleased me most about Oli was the way he wasn't fazed at all by Goldie. Here is a guy who's played lots of first class cricket, and our very own Stampo gives him an ear-full - brilliant! There's no harm in being aggressive Oli, I'd like to see more of it!

With Mallards cruising to 100-odd in no time, we needed some tight bowling. Rahul and Monkey (welcome back mate!) bowled in tandem for 20-odd overs and brought us back in the game. They both bowled very well, particularly Rahul who took 5 wickets.

Mallards eventually reached out total off the penultimate over with 9 wickets down. I really thought we were going to sneak it and take the last wicket, but it just wasn't to be. We've got to give them credit, the young lad who won them the game played brilliantly, 42 not out at 14 years old. We can learn from the way he paced his innings and kept calm under pressure.

I know we're all gutted at having lost our first 4 games, but we've played some good cricket and had little luck. 3 of the 4 games we could (and should) have won.

These are the things I think we need to work on:

Determination and a never-say die attitude. Just look at Rick Timms batting on Saturday - there was no way he was going to get out.
Self belief & confidence. But not arrogance! Don't expect that we can just turn up and win because its been like that for the past couple of years - we need to believe that we can win but work damned hard to achieve it.
Training. In previous seasons we've trained hard as a team, which has paid off. We haven't had one session so far which has been intense and where everyone has turned up. Now this may not have had a bearing on our results at all, but training hard and as a team certainly can't do any harm!! The T20 competition has affected our training and preparation, as it usually falls on training night, but we've also gained a great deal from playing some superb T20 cricket.
Basic skills. I think we're all trying to overcomplicate a simple game. When we're batting, play your strong shots only - leave the ball well and know where your stumps are. When bowling, bowl tight lines and to your field. If we do this for 100 overs we'll win more than we lose - we've got a very talented side but even the best batsmen can get out to a silly shot.

Onto this week:

Tuesday - T20 at Horsford, vs Norwich. If we win this, we're through to the Semi-Final. BIG GAME - please all come along to support your Club!!!

Thursday - U15 at home vs Kirkley & Lowestoft Railway.

NETS WILL BE ON THURSDAY EVENING THIS WEEK - 530PM. We'll start with some fielding drills before the U15 game, then go into the nets. Be there!

Finally - win, lose or draw its so important that we all enjoy our cricket. Our team morale and banter has been great this season, its really important that we keep this going!!!

See you all in the week,

Pants

--------------------------

Evening all,

Another busy week ahead!

Tuesday evening - Nets. 6pm start, all welcome.

Wednesday evening - T20 vs Vauxhall Mallards, at Horsford. All welcome - we have a handful of free tickets, which Andy has, so if you'd like to come along and cheer your boys along, you would be very welcome!! Game starts at 6pm.

Friday evening - Community cricket. The turnout so far this season has been great!

Saturday - 1st Team away to Vauxhall Mallards. 2nd Team home to Diss.

Sunday - 3rd team away to Sheringham.

1st Team Selections

T20 Team - 530pm warm up.

Habershon

Sheehy

Panter

Shearer (Capt)

Timm

Sturman

Dan the gris Bancroft

Jez Andrews

Stamp

Nolan

Westgate

Cheers,

Rob.

-------------------------------------

Evening all,

A fantastic game of cricket, well done to all players! We won the toss, asked OB to have a bat on a pitch which always looks good but never plays that well early on (one to remember when we play there in the league!).

Our highly skilled and disciplined senior opening bowler (what a title that is) Habershon bowled a great spell - pace, swing and control. Backed up by his opening bowling partner and slip catcher Sheehy, who also bowled a great opening spell! Ben Nolan, coming on first change for Sheehy followed the good start with 5 overs of left arm seam - well bowled Ben, the hard work is paying off.

The star of the show with the ball this week was Rahul - 4 for 40 off 13 overs was a great return. RD bowled with good control and brought into play the attacking fielders regularly; bodes really well for the summer, especially in July / August when the pitches will offer more turn.

OB finished their innings at 195-9; which I thought was a competitive total, but one which we should have been reasonably pleased with given the short boundary and lack of match practise. Their late order batted very well, hitting a few boundaries to reach that score... with a little more disciplined bowling at the death the score could (and perhaps should) have been kept below 170.

Our fielding was fantastic all the way through - Rik Timm in particular was outstanding. I thought Andy Westgate's keeping was very tidy, no bye's until the last over! Well done Andy.

With the bat, Rahul played beautifully to get 80-odd, stroking the ball through the gaps with ease. Slightly disappointing was that none of the top 6 really provided RD with much support, which is something we have to work on. The game's all about partnerships, and working together with your batting partner.

The highlight of our innings for me was our number 9 - Jon Williams. Jon batted very well to reach 20-odd, playing some great shots against some pretty good bowling. Well done Jon, the hard work and effort you've been putting in has really helped your game and this was just the start of your 2010 success! It was fitting that our numbers 10 and 11 (Benny and Bernie), Westgate and Nolan were to see us home, with Andy elegantly working the ball around his pads to hit the winning runs!! Brooke win by 1 wicket, and a great game of cricket was enjoyed by both sides.

On to this week......

Wednesday night - 6pm sharp

Training. Last week's was fantastic, a great turnout. Please all make the effort to come along again!! Rahul and I were absolutely thrilled that so many of you trained and it felt like a proper 'Club' training night. As I've said before, if there's anything you would like to work on specifically, please feel free to ask me / RD.

Thursday night - 7.30pm

Before you ask the question, I've not gone mad. Godfrey and I have arranged for a Sports Psychologist to come to the Club, to talk to us about team cohesion and raising your mental strength. Cricket is 50% in the mind and 50% ability, there are plenty of players I can think of who had average ability but fantastic concentration and application.....which allows them to make consistent performances...

We're going to have one session on Thursday, and another during May.

Can you all please come along to this? It would be great if we have a full Club turnout, so that we can all benefit from these sessions. They've been organised for your benefit and to help you get the most out of the cricket season!

I know we all have other commitments and lead busy lives, but this will definitely help your game. I expect all first team squad players to be there.

Flyer is attached for your info.

That's all for now,

Look forward to seeing you all on Wednesday at the ground.

Cheers,

Rob.

---------------------------------------------

Evening all,

1st team for Saturday, vs Old Buckenham (away) is as follows:

Dewan

Habershon

Reynolds

Shearer

Sheehy

Panter

Andrews

Timm

Williams

Westgate

Nolan

With a couple of new faces in the side its a great opportunity for you all to put a performance in and make selection difficult for the first league game!

I thought last night's net session was brilliant - the best turnout we've had! Well done to you all for putting the effort in and for training with intensity, I promise you'll all reap the rewards over the season! You've all set the standard for training so keep it going - if there is anything you really want to work on then please feel free to mention it to Rahul or me.

We're meeting at Old Buckenham at 12pm sharp. Usual attire please gents, tracksuit before the game and smarts afterward....

Old Bucks is a tricky ground to find - postcode is NR17 1PQ for SatNav... or directions below, from their website:

The following instructions are intended to guide teams to the Cricket Ground outside the village in the woods, from The Gamekeeper in the village centre.
With your back to the Gamekeeper, turn right onto the B1077 towards Diss. Drive pass the Duck pond on your right & over the cross-roads.
About 200 yards beyond the Cross-roads is another cross-roads in the middle of the Green where you take the Right turn towards Banham.
Go straight over the next cross-roads after about a further 150 yards into Crown Road.
Follow Crown Road out of the village, over another cross-roads & through 3 bends(right/left/right), a distance of about 1/2 mile.
At the next left bend(as the road starts uphill) you turn right off the road(almost straight on) up a stony track into the woods. There is a Cricket Club sign, high on the tree at the turn.
About 150 yards up the track, bear left at the fork in the track, pass through a gate, & the cricket ground is a further 100 yards ahead.

Cheers!

Rob.

-----------------------------------------------------

Evening all,

Our 1st XI played Horsford 1st XI at home, we won by 8 wickets with 6 overs to spare!

We fielded first, and with a well controlled opening spell by Habershon we put the Horsford openers under pressure. Rahul Dewan, making his debut for the Club, came onto bowl first change and straight away demonstrated outstanding control and discipline - after the winter preparations and organisation (by us and Rahul) it was great to see Rahul take to the field in a Brooke shirt!

Stuart Pritty bowled brilliantly - his control and movement had all the Horsford batters in trouble. I was really impressed with the way SP 'worked out' their overseas player, Chris Sabburg (who is no mug incidentally, having played for Australia U17 and is a current Queensland player). Chris Sheehy bowled a useful spell toward the end, and showed lots of promise and gritty determination.

Horsford's total of 250-odd was, in my view, 40 runs too many. But having said that, this was our first game of the season and we were all a little rusty, but we do have plenty to work on! Fielding will improve with the right training.

With the bat, we were a class above anything Horsford could throw at us. Habby and Rahul opened up, and quickly put on 50. Habby departed for 8, shortly followed by John Reynolds (don't worry JR, your runs will come!). This brought Ali Shearer to the crease, who together with Rahul added 198 runs to win the match!

Rahul batted superbly, paced his innings sensibly and played some truly sublime shots, finishing on 130 not out. Ali batted equally as well, playing some fantastic shots and punishing anything slightly loose, to also record his century. What pleased me most about their partnership was the way in which they rotated the strike, were always on the lookout for singles, and ran very well. This is the benefit of high levels of fitness.

So, a good win against Horsford is a great way to kick off 2010, but we mustn't get carried away by any means. We have a great squad of players, and with many returning from holiday or football / hockey commitments, team selection will be challenging and its vitally important that we increase the training intensity and build on this early success.

We will be training on Wednesday this week (and for the next few weeks). More of you have said that you can make Wednesday evenings.

We'll start at 6pm sharp - if you can arrive slightly earlier then you'll get more from the sessions. Rahul and I will be at the ground from 5pm ish.

I know I've said this many times, but if we are to continue improving we need to train with intensity and as a Club. We all have other commitments which sometimes prevent us from training, but I would really like to see all players, from all Senior teams, make an extra effort to train this season. Rahul will be on hand to help you all improve your game, I promise you that you will all benefit from his knowledge, expertise and professionalism.

See you all on Wednesday!

Cheers,

Rob.

------------------------------------------------------