Sunday the 9th May was our first ever game against Southam and we got off to a good start with Michael, who was captain for the day in the absence of Chris, winning the toss another first for Napton. Paul Knight and Stuart opened the batting for Napton; Paul managed to survive some very good bowling at the start before losing his wicket for 13. Joe then came into the attack and scored 18 off just four scoring shots before getting out, one of his sixes clearing the boundary by 30 yards. Michael then came in and he and Stuart gradually accumulated runs putting on a partnership of 97 with Stuart falling for 41 with a decidedly dodgy piece of umpiring and Michael losing his off stump to the opening quick bowler for 53. The last six wickets fell in quick succession for just 14 runs leaving a total of 159.

Stuart and Paul opened the bowling for Napton and Stuart made the first break through in the fifth over taking two wickets one bowled and the other LBW. Paul bowled with some interesting variation in line and length and took a wicket in the last over of his spell ending up with figures of 25 for 1 after 4 overs. Michael and Joe then came into the attack, Michael taking a wicket in his first over which brought out the Southam no. 6 batsman who was a Saturday first team batsman and he went on to smash Mike and Joe all over the place. Mike took two more wickets in his spell ending up with figures of 49 for 3 off 8 overs. Unfortunately Joe didn’t take a wicket although Ben dropped a match winning catch off his bowling. Stuart came back on to bowl at the pavilion end and had immediate success with a wicket; he then felt the full force of the No. 6 batsman for a couple of overs, until the his last over where he took 2 more wickets and suddenly they needed 2 runs to win with 1 wicket in hand, unfortunately they got the runs but we gave a very good account of ourselves with some excellent fielding all round.

M.E.