Power play by the Family Stone ensures 4s win

After having to concede the first match of the season, the 4th XI were raring to go. The weather was good and we were at Fortress Addington 1743 with an array of exciting debutants: Anuj Gupta signed from the Kent leagues, Joseph Murphy from playing for the colts, Ruminder Cheema from coaching the colts and Chris Allen from Australia (via Streatham). Once introductions and many handshakes had been done, we won the toss and as ever, Jon opted to bat. The pitch looked good and the outfield was the quickest I have seen it at 1743.

The 'old firm; of Jon Kuhrt and Stevie Hasler opened up. Jon hit 3 fours early on then chased a wide one and was gone for 12. Steve soon offered a similar catch to the same fielder and we were 30-2. But Jack Stone and Tom Smith (who just arrived from a morning school match), did the Royal Russell school proud with a superb partnership which ultimately won the match for us.

Jack was careful in defence with only one scoring shot in his first 20 balls and few of his big swipes. Once in, as ever he hit the bad balls VERY HARD and looked classy. Beddingon resorted to putting 7 fielders on the boundary for him but Jack sensibly hit lots of singles and never gave it away. In all he hit 10 fours and 3 cracking sixes in a brilliant innings of 89.

Tom Smith from the U15 batted very carefully and did exactly what was needed. His 43 included some great drives and pulls and again he showed his solid technique and big promise in adult cricket. When Tom was caught, Martin Stone came out with his new bat. He stratched around a bit before deciding to go back to old bat and as if by magic the ball found the middle. He drove and pulled some great shots and ended with an excellent 37*, guiding us to 216 off our 40.

Sue Maguire's tea won plaudits with the opposition, especially the trademark donuts and chicken nuggets, described as 'very meaty' by one appreciative player.

We opened the bowling with new signing Anuj who immediately looked good. A controversial no-ball call deprived him of a wicket in the first over and if a couple of catches had stuck he would have got more than one wicket. At the other end Chris Martinz sprayed it around a bit but got an early wicket. Unluckily for them, Beddington's opener who looked a decent bat pulled a hamstring and could not bat and this meant the run-rate was climbing all the time and they lost wickets at regular intervals.

All the bowlers did well. Chris Allen looked classy and bowled some real peaches at a good pace. Ruminder bowled some big tweakers and won the award for passionate appealing. And Joseph Murphy, brought onto bowl as his parents arrived, bowled well and picked up 2 wickets in 3 overs. King of Encouragement, Michael 'C'mon lads' Jones bowled 2 overs of accurate medium pace, giving away just 5 runs. And at the end, Tom Smith, steamed in and got 2 wickets to wrap things up.

A good win to start the 4s season and really good to such promising fresh blood in the club. Thanks especially to Anuj for scoring for almost the whole of their innings and for everyone for chipping in with umpiring and teas etc. Particular thanks to Martin and Steve for staying on an extra half an hour to do washing up. On such commitment a good club is founded!