1st XI convincing start to league season

Despite some rain in the morning, the 1st XI got their campaign off the mark on time on Saturday.

Having lost the toss, Stevenage were asked to bat first in overcast conditions. Bowling first felt like the right decision from Old Elizabethans, who had Stevenage 46-4. It was the middle order that lead the recovery for SCC, with Mike Tyler (41) and Conor Hayward (40) building an 87 run partnership and building a strong base for a last 10 over push for 200. Scott Davies (30) came in to steer the team to 198-9 at the end of their 50 overs, a score which felt above par.

Conditions improved as the day went on, with the wicket and outfield drying up. However, the Stevenage bowlers were relentless in their pursuit for victory and never let the away side get into the match. Manohar Kasaraju (6-2-17) and Eugene Stanciu (6.4-2-15) set the tone for the innings, with 3 early wickets with very little on the board after 12 overs. Whilst Charlie Schutt (29) and Tom Garraway (40) started to lead a recovery, the spin of Moses Anil (10-4-44) resulted in a flurry of wickets, taking Old Elizabethans out of the game. The final wicket taken by Stanciu left the away side 54 runs short of their target after 37.4 overs.

An overall pleasing start to the season from the 1s, which required a collective team effort to get on top, stay on top and not really give the opposition a sniff. Long may it continue!