Saturday's matches produced only one success; a straightforward win for the 1st XI at Walton-on-Thames. Sadly, there were loses again for the 2nd and 3rd XIs, against Walton and Epsom respectively, with the 4th XI adding to the club's 'pre-season friendly' woes with a loss against Cheam. That said, the 3rd and 4th XI games were finely balanced affairs which could have gone our way; but it wasn't to be.
In the 1st XI match at Ashley Park, excellent bowling from Sartor (4-33) and Mitchell (3-30) followed by half-centuries from Sampson and Outram, saw us run out convincing winners by 6 wickets in a good all-round performance.
The Sunday 1st XI fixture at Purley was affected quite significantly by the rain. Starting late at 2:00pm due to the adverse weather, we had reached 144 for 2 after just 22 overs, when a heavy shower came to disturb our momentum. With no let-up in the weather, tea was taken early and together with a good 45-minutes of scheduled play lost, it was agreed that the match would be reduced to 30-overs each side. After just a couple of balls the rains came again, although this time the players remained in the field. Unsurprisingly, given the awful weather, we were unable to push-on in the 8-overs remaining. Nadeem and Allen (J) who resumed the innings could hardly see the ball through the driving rain, let alone hit it! Thus we ended the innings at 167 for 4. Excellent, aggressive knocks by skipper Sam Schofield, (50,) and fellow opener, Hassib Nadeem, (68,) helped secure a superb base; and with Josh Allen, (33 not out,) accumulating runs beautifully, we were set for a big total before the rain disrupted us.
The persistent drizzle was always going to work against us, as we attempted to defend a now very ‘gettable’ 168 in 30! That Purley achieved their task with only 7 balls to go was testament indeed to some sterling deeds in deteriorating out-field conditions. The final result was the only negative in a very promising and positive all-round performance. Last words must go to Harry Allen, who, if not the youngest at 12 years of age, must surely be one of the youngest ever to represent the club at a 1st XI level. Well done, Harry; and well played!
The weather saw to the Sunday 2nd XIs match againt Purley at Cheam Road, without a ball being bowled and in a rain affected encounter at Holmwood Close, the Sunday 3rd XI suffered a 4 wicket loss against West XI. (All the stats from all the weekend's fixtures available here.) 
