Fielding first in a 40 over match, the opening bowlers did a fairly good job of restricting the home side to just 28 off the first 10 with some impressive stuff from new overseas Steve Rowe, both quick and accurate and will be a handfull when the weather improves the pitches (and the fielding wasn't half bad either!). The first change, to Muzza, saw the fall of the first wicket with 40 on the board, Muzza completing his spell having bowled very tidly. All the bowlers made it difficult to score for the home side as well as some decent fielding with Canterbury finishing on 186 for 3 off their 40 overs with a good knock form the dangerous Paul Steer who finished on 93 not out.
All in all a good performance bowling and fielding wise for the first time out, obviously with improvement required but it was very encouraging.
In reply, having lost Cymbals very early, Hickers and AA built a good base in which to mount our charge of the total, but unfortunately wickets did tumble at regular intervals with AA watching partners come and go before he himself finished with 63, after so decent bowling by Canterbury with their second change bowlers. We finished on 167 for 9 at the end with Canterbury's overseas South African "leg spinner" picking up 7 wickets.
All in all a satifactory performance, bearing in mind in recent years Canterbury have absolutely spanked us in this game and they used all their proper bowlers unlike us where everyone, who was a bowler, had their chance, I think we could have beaten them. The batting was a little disappointing but it is early season.
We have just a few more games and net sessions before the league start, and I'm sure we will be ready by then, we looked good in the main and it is very very encouraging.
Oh and the Aussie celebrated later on in the bar with his first taste of a pickled egg. Yum Yum.