You finish on a high one season and think "with side like this we can compete" then the reality sets in at the beginning of the following season. We were never going to be at our strongest early in the season and playing the team that missed promotion by 1 point the previous year was going to be a big ask. That said, its a squad game and judging by the game we played, we have enough quality when availability gets tough to compete.

However, something did go in our favour, I won the toss and stuck them in on Steve's recommendation. Steve must have known something as the first half of the innings it was his show. He took out the top five with accurate and got the bowl to swing around. It was a bit like 2 games, one end guys were poking with caution at Steve and the other they were range hitting to the 35 yards legside boundary. Ben disappeared a couple of times, David did, I went once into the field. Not particularly funny when a boundary is that short. Aqib replaced Steve and took a wicket to leave the oppo 106-6 but Bledlow's batting reserves run far deeper than teams in Div 8 as the next pair added 81 with little trouble. The partnership was eventually broken up by Max, who took a stunning caught and bowled. However, some poor ground fielding, dropped catches and extras meant that Bledlow scored 30 more than they should have and finished on 224-8. Max taking another wicket off the last ball of the innings.

Given how rusty we were without match practice due to the weather, the advice was to go and bat. If we get close great, but don't be too concerned about drawing the game.With Moiz injured, Max was pushed into opening with Adam and progressed the score to 49 without too many alarms. Adam surprisingly went for 16, having not looked in any trouble but David joined Max as they kept building. The oppo in truth bowled to short, particularly at Max and when eventually they took the pace off Max departed for a well made 42 with the score on 80 in the 15th over. David and Venks carried on, adding 57 against some tighter bowling until Venks departed for 23. Bledlow were gradually finding their lengths and the run rate started to creep up. At 173-3 in the 36th over we lost David for a well compiled 61, now needing 61 off 9. Aqib didn't last long leaving Mark to scamper with Ben to add another 25. However with 30 needed off 3, Ben and Mark quickly departed and the game ended in a draw. Wolverton closing on 208-7, just lacking a bit of power in the finishing stages to hit that short boundary.

Disappointing not to win but given the rust and relative strength of the opposition not a bad result. We'll be stronger for the rematch without doubt. It also game us some clues on the step up in quality, definately stronger on the batting but the bowling fairly similar if a little more disciplined.