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And so it begins, a new year a different story.
Hat tricks are like buses, you never see one and then 2 turn up close together.
Saturday and a bright, sunny day at Inholms lane brought the first fixture of the season against Kingston Methodists.
Many familiar noises could be heard during the afternoon, creaking from backs and legs, oohs and arghs from near misses and of course the Holmwood cuckoo was out in force, usually somewhere behind the stumps near the slip area! Anyway, the Meths batted first. Nobby opened the bowling down the incline while Adam Cheesman started proceedings up. Nobby bowled with some pace and got the ball to move around a little on a beautifully even paced wicket. Adam had trouble with the radar early on but by the end of his spell had bowled a few crackers. Nobby's 6 overs cost him 6 runs and took a wicket. Skipper Goff rung the changes as scoring became more difficult against good, tight, accurate bowling (words I doubt I'll be using much again this season) from the Chairman 1 for 4 from 5 overs, New Boy Jordan, 4 for 37 including a HAT TRICK and the skipper himself 2 for 30 from his 8 overs. Luckily Guesty helped the scoring rate in no small way by offering up a few pies together with a couple of crackers in 7 over of subtle variations!!
147-7 and it was tea.
Rob Tyers, the stand in wicket keeper for the day, opened proceedings with Andy Guest. A slow response was made with many singles being taken against the tight, accurate openers. Guesty went first for 24 followed quickly by Nobby for 4. South Park loanee, Pompey Paul stayed with the now fluent wet weather until one too many swipes met his downfall. Heady, playing his first game for some time in North Holmwood colours, kept the talented opener company and was at the crease to see one of those moments in a career which will stick in the memory, Mr Tyers using his feet to the slow bowler launched him over long on for a 6, yes a 6.
Almost immediately Rob was out for 54, a bright start to the season indeed. The Chairman joined Heady and the two scratched around until both fell foul of the slowest left armer we'll see all year, Heady beaten by the flight and small amount of turn was quickly followed into the pavilion by the Chairman who was caught in 2 minds (for him that's fatal at anytime) and the crash of ash was heard.
So the Captain and the New Boy set about the target required and added the necessary runs needed, Daryl unbeaten on 10 and Darren unbeaten on 30.

NORTH HOLMWOOD 148 for 6 beat KINGSTON METHODISTS 147 for 7