This fixture was scheduled to be played at Coventry but due to unforeseen circumstances, Fixtures Secretary JP received a late request from Massey Fergusson requesting the game be hosted by Napton.
Napton pitch-prep team swung into action. Their policy of regular ground and square maintenance proved its worth. Has the outfield ever looked better? I think not.

The visitors batted first with Mike and Sam opening the attack for Napton.
Sam, refreshed by his mid-week break in Devon, was fired-up. He dismissed an opener and the replacement before the first hand & ball wash was due.
Soon after, Ed’s safe pair of hands gave Mike his first wicket.
23-3 after 7 overs.
Sam was on the mark again in his 7th over, dislodging woodwork, to give him his 3rd wicket.
57-4 after 14 overs.
First-change bowler young James bowled half-a-dozen overs with speed and accuracy showing an ability well above his years.
Stuart made a break-through in his first over with a well-worth watching moment of cricket between him and ‘keeper Graham. A rising quick ball, a thin edge and a catch at chest-height.
Lovely-jubbly !!
81-5 after 18 overs
A catch by Tom gave Rob a wicket and Olly’s looping ball bamboozled the remaining opener.
125-7 after 32 overs.
A skied shot was splendidly caught by James near the boundary to give Stuart his 2nd wicket.
12th man Gary, replacing injured Ed, caught one off Mike with Stuart executing a superb C&B to end Massey’s innings
168-10 after 37.2 overs.
Wicket-takers:-
Stuart Alsop 6.2 overs 1 maiden 3-33
Sam Sensecall 8 overs 3-34
Mike Eadon 7 overs 1maiden 2-22
Rob Pelter 4 overs 1-17
Olly O’Brien 4 overs 1-18

During the now usual do-it-yourself tea, Captain Sam considered his options.
The 169 runs required would be Napton’s biggest score so far this season.
Ed, who had left the field with a turned ankle had rested with an ice-pack applied to the injury and was keen to be involved in the batting line-up.
Sam sent Ed and Tom in to open the account for Napton.
The Captain was not to be disappointed.
With his usual fidgety style Ed waited for each ball with the scavenging manner of an underfed alley cat. He snapped at each and every ball. Wham! Bam! Thank you Ma’am!
With Tom taking a supporting roll at the other end the score ticked along.
With a partnership of 71 runs Ed fell to a C&B and walked off well-pleased with his contribution and the injured ankle forgotten.
Tom, with his new partner Olly, took on the mantle with a few of his ‘signature’ sixes.
With Olly’s departure Tom was joined by Nick. One felt that these two quality batsmen could have accrued a mammoth score. However, the target was reached at the end of the 29th over with a six by Nick.
174-2 after 29 overs
Tom Hancock 89 Not Out 16 boundaries inc 4 sixes
Ed Shillitoe 43 runs 9 boundaries
Olly O’Brien 18 runs 2 boundaries
Nick brown 20 Not Out 3 boundaries inc 2 sixes.

A strong batting and bowling line-up paid off and provided Napton’s first win of the season.