After the first 2 games of the season were cancelled for bad weather it was finally time for the opening game of the season to start on a warm sunny evening at Verulamium Park. For the first time in club history the selection committee almost had to convene and select a starting 11, but in true Saddos style we had 10 players and luckily Jonno was able to quickly step in. A positive from this was creation of a new category for the end of season awards 'Best Excuse For Not Turning Up or Being Late'...

On to the matter of cricket and with the team looking quite splendid in the newly sourced kit from 'Michael Trotter Traders' the season was sure to be good. Saddos bowling seemed to have a bit of everything - some tight spells, some no balls, possible run outs, a few wides and a wicket each for John H, Michael and Jan. Chris started his spell with wicket but it was off a no ball and he ended up with 2 wickets and more than 1 wide. Killigrew made a steady start and accelerated with several lusty blows and fine shots to clear the boundary, with 2 players retiring not out and finishing with an impressive 127 in slow conditions. Champagne award moment nominee will go to Graham who took a low one handed catch behind the stumps of Jan's bowling - it was like proper cricket.

127 would be a tough target and several winter nets practising slashing square cuts and cover drives was clearly not the right preparation as the batting quickly unfolded. All the top order batsmen played a few nice shots that either went straight to a tightly placed circle of Killigrew fielders or seemed to slow up in the heavy'ing conditions. With wickets regularly tumbling and the run rate slowing all efforts to hit the ball seemed only to result in providing Killigrew with catches, which they dutifully took. Michael held firm for longer than most to top score with 9 and the team only managed 1 boundary. With some consistent bowling, a well-placed field and catches being secured, Killigrew wrapped up the Saddos innings at 50 all out in the 14th over to win by a mere 77 runs!

Retiring to the Six Bells would normally lift the spirits, but beer was in slow in supply as a CAMRA chap seemed to want to announce for some time the joys of The Six Bells - but this prevented staff serving beer! For further frustration another cricket team ate the sausage & chips (we have suspects).

On a more positive note, to add to the already 2 end of season award categories created, a third was also added during the Saddos batting 'The Biggest Hissy Fit'. Names not provided, but a certain Welshman after being out playing on, decided to use his bat in anger to create a huge divot in the wicket that the groundsman will have to get some local youths to play football and ride bikes on to blend into the otherwise unblemished wicket.

On an even more positive note the entertainment committee convened and proposed a night out at one of the upcoming T20 bash - please Doodle your vote: http://doodle.com/r792ybifct5eavh3

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