2018 ended with the 1s gaining promotion back to the T-Rippon Premier Division after a 7-year absence. Our first game of the year saw us host Springfield, Premier Division Champions in both 2017 and 2018.
After a blisteringly hot April, in which no cricket was played, it seemed almost inevitable that the first weekend of May was rainy, cold and dark with the occasional hail storm! Captain Cooper won the toss and elected to bowl on a green but firm surface, hoping to take advantage of the shower delays that were expected throughout the afternoon.
Springfield started well reaching 39 without loss, before George Baron made the breakthrough tempting the opener into a loose drive outside off, Paul Marks completing a regulation keepers catch. Regular breaks were taken for rain, which had often stopped by the time the covers were put back in place, and Springfield seemed especially keen to get the game on, as the majority of their team assisted with covering the wicket.
Between the breaks for rain, Totham continued to take wickets, but Springfield also continued to score at 5 an over, with Barry Mays being bludgeoned for 7 sixes in his 7 overs, despite only conceding 50 runs total during his spell. Lumpy was the pick of the bowlers, clearing up the tail to return figures of 4-34, as Springfield posted 215-8 from a reduced 40 overs.
After a delicious tea from Mrs Cheeseman, Totham were quietly confident that 215 was a chaseable target, hoping to take advantage of short boundaries and a drying wicket. A 47 run opening partnership between Harry Cooper and Liam Jones, seemed to further this confidence until we collapsed in typical GTCC fashion.
Liam was perhaps the only batsman not at fault for his dismissal, a beautiful inswinging yorker, but the rest of the order all gave away their wickets cheaply with only Paul Marks reaching double figures, 11. Harry Cooper showed why he will be a key batsman for the 1s this year, making the only score of note at 60. But the failure of everyone else to contribute saw Totham bowled out 99 runs short of the target for 110.
While we can take positives from our bowling to restrict Springfield to such a score on our small ground, we need to improve with the bat to be competitive at this level. Next week, we have a slightly easier game away to Bentley CC, but in reality this game will not be any easier as Bentley finished second in the division in 2017 and 2018. Indeed one of Springfield or Bentley has won the Premier Division title since 2011!
Certainly not the easiest start to our Premier League Campaign.