Sunday 25th April was our opening game of the season against Braunston. Our new captain Chris picked up Stuarts talent of losing the toss and they put us into bat first. We naturally got off to a bad start, on an unpredictable bouncy pitch, losing Michael in the second over to an edge to first slip. Stuart then came in and between him and Richard saw off the opening bowlers, Richard eventually falling for 14 runs. Joe took his place and then left shortly afterward, then Chris came to the middle and he and Stuart put on a partnership of 125 runs, which was an especially excellent achievement considering the length of the grass on the outfield. Stuart eventually lost his wicket for a personal best of 70 trying to hit the ball out of the park. Sam Sensecall on his debut for Napton managed to hook a ball from outside the leg stump straight into the hands of second slip. Chris finished off the 40 overs with 54 not out; his best for Napton, which brought the total of the innings 167 for 5.

Michael and Stuart opened the bowling and Michael made the first break through in the 5th over with Dave Cooper surprising himself with an excellent catch at first slip. Michael then went on to take 2 more wickets, one of which was hit back at him so hard he caught it before he could move out the way ending up with figures of 14 for 3. Stuart didn't manage to take any wickets but kept the run rate down as usual giving away just 12 runs off his 8 overs with 2 maidens. The fielding was a little rusty and there were a few catches that went down. Chris and Joe then took over the attack. Chris taking two wickets in his first over one caught and bowled the other expertly caught in the deep by Stuart. He then continued to keep the run rate down ending up with figures of 17 for 2. Joe then bowled out their No. 6 batsman using a combination of varied pace, spin and guile. He continued to cause them problems ending up with figures of 21 for 1 with 2 maidens. New recruit Sam Sensecall was then called up to bowl and took the remaining 3 wickets for 43 runs leaving Napton to win by 57 runs.

An excellent start to the season and to the captaincy of Chris.

M.E.