Napton CC played at Burton on the Chester tour last year. They are due to play there again this year. A couple of their players were organising a tour in this area. That is how this game appeared on the fixture list.
Being a Saturday, Sam struggled with raising an XI, but ‘veteran’ Guy and youngster Max answered the call.

The pitch-prep team turned out on Saturday morning. The ground looked magnificent to welcome our guests from Cheshire.
The track ‘did plenty’ which resulted in a relatively low-scoring game with all 20 wickets falling and neither side completing their allocated 40 overs.

Napton batted first with Mike E and Stuart settling in well.
53-0 after 15 overs.
A dramatic turn-around saw batsmen 1,2 & 3 clean-bowled in 3 overs.
60-3.

The middle-order didn’t hang around either with Ed S setting what must be some kind of club record by being stumped again; twice in consecutive games.
He is easily tempted !!

Luckily, the tail wagged.
Ed D being a revelation in his partnership with Sam. He had no difficulty in getting wood on leather and almost made it look easy. In the final analysis, this pair saved Napton’s embarrassment.
Last-man Guy hit a few. His 7 ‘Not Out’ will be going towards his averages for future games!!

Napton 149-10 after 35.1 overs,
Mike Eadon 30 runs 4 boundaries inc. 1six.
Sam Sensecall 19 runs 3 boundaries
Stuart Alsop 19 runs 2 boundaries
Ed Dyke 18 runs 2 boundaries
Nick Brown 16 runs 3 boundaries inc. 1 six
Ed Shillitoe 12 runs 2 boundaries

Pam, Sophie and James prepared a lovely traditional cricket tea.
However, in addition we were treated to their ‘Saturday Special’ --- hot dogs a fried onions.
These were very well received !!

Not knowing the visitors batting strengths, the home team were unsure if 149 was defendable.
With the required run-rate at only 3.75, Burton must have fancied their chances.

Napton’s opening batters in this match, Mike E and Stuart, also took on the responsibility of opening bowlers.
Mike E’s first session of 4 overs recorded 2 maidens and just 3 runs. Mike is at the top of his game at present with fluid action, speed and accuracy.
Stuart also kept his bowling economical and at 10 overs the visitors were below the rate with 30 runs.
In the next 5 overs Mike took one and Sam took a couple.
45 -3 after 15 overs. Still at just 3 runs per over but wickets down.

Mike N, being excused keeper duties by Guy’s inclusion, demonstrated that he could turn his arm and created a catching chance for Geraint to take whilst running forward.

At 20 overs, with 62 runs on the board, Burton were still around the 3 runs per over and well in contention.

Burton’s remaining opener was hanging around and threatening to turn the game with his shots and encouragement of his partners.
Sam brought on Ed S who saw off this threat via a catch by the Captain.
Compared to recent games, Ed S has toned down his speed. This has resulted in a much-improved line and length; the result being phenomenal figures for his 5.3 overs.

At 30 overs Burton had increased their rate to nearly 3.5.
With wickets and overs in hand the game was very much in the balance.

Batsman No 7 was taking on the bowlers with confidence until Olly tempted him into a hoik back over the bowler’s head.
Stuart, running around from cow-corner took the catch-of-the-match.
From hereon in the visitors added not many more to their total.
Committed fielding and a couple of catches by Sam, and one each from Stuart, Ed S & Geraint kept their score in check.

Burton 116-10 after 34.3 overs.
Wicket-takers:
Ed Shillitoe 5.3 overs 1 wicket-maiden 4-7
Olly O’Brien 6 overs 2-28
Sam Sensecall 8 overs 2-35
Mike Eadon 8 overs 2 maidens 1-11
Mike Nyren 2 overs 1-13

Both teams settled down to a few beers in the warm evening sunshine before the visitors departed to check-in at their hotel near Solihull.