Heathcote won the toss and sent us in to bat on what was a very good pitch at Hagley 3. After an early wicket, Hampo and Rich put on 127 for the second wicket in just over 20 overs, both making half-centuries. A number of solid knocks through the middle order took the total to a competitive 245-7 off 40 overs, with Jimmy and Wellsy reaching 25 each. Despite long boundaries, five of the batsmen managed to clear the ropes, all making use of the strong easterly wind.
Heathcote started well, going at 10's for the first few overs before Wellsy and Flav pulled it back, with Wellsy hitting the stumps three times and taking a catch off Flav's bowling. Six wickets were remaining for Potty when he came on to bowl, fresh off a six wicket haul in morning grade cricket. His first ball was smashed for four, and after a disappointing first over the captain briefly considered taking him off. In his next three overs he took five wickets, including a hat-trick, his ninth for the club. The hat-trick involved clever use of the “breeze” to deliver three big inswingers that started about cover before coming back like guided missiles to hit the stumps twice and the batsman’s back leg the third time. He was not made player of the day, however, because he grassed a gentle return catch in his following over. As a result we had to field another 11 overs in the freezing wind! All the bowlers were given a go, until Daygo was finally brought on to finish the determined 10th wicket partnership. He started to tire one ball into his spell, but fortunately one was enough, a caught and bowled and his 350th career catch for St Albans. A 175 run win and a great start to season.
