The Lee too strong as Northchurch lose first game of season

With fantastic weather on the first day of the season, Northchurch arrived at The Lee, who won the toss and chose to bat first. Harry Bennie picked up the first wicket in only the second over, with a fine catch off a leading edge from James Kelley at midwicket. However, the early fortune didn't continue, as the second wicket partnership extended past a hundred well before the first drinks break at 15 overs.

The Lee batsmen dealt well with pace, so the spin of Harry Chapman came on shortly after drinks, and after initially worrying signs took a wicket in his second over. The next batsman started a little slowly, with Northchurch aiming to keep him on strike, although he eventually settled in. After some tidy bowling from Chapman and Ellis Jeavons reducing the run rate, The Lee set about the bowlers in the last 8 overs to set a daunting total of 308-2, with opener Swain carrying his bat for a finely struck 163*.

Looking to start in a more attacking fashion than usual, Ben Pyne and Harry Bennie were promoted to open with a licence to open the taps, however Pyne unfortunately fell early, bringing Mike James to the crease. James and Bennie put on a good show for a while, before James was caught miscuing a cut after making a start of 24. Jamie Moughton came in next, but was shortly on his way back. Joel James strolled out and started to build in his usual way, although Bennie then was caught after batting well for 30.

Harry Chapman was next man in, and with James steadied the ship, soon opening the shoulders and taking on the fielding side with intent. The partnership was broken when James was caught on 39, although the lower order couldn't quite manage to get going in support. After Chapman reached his fifty and was bowled for 64, the rest of the innings didn't last much longer and Northchurch were soon all out for 188.

On any other day 188 would be a reasonable score for the first day of the season, but sadly it was well short due to Swain playing well above usual Sunday friendly standard. In spite of this, Northchurch generally bowled and fielded fairly well, but this was overshadowed by the skillful opener and large total to chase. Plenty of signs of good things to come, but a tough day out to start us off for 2019.

MotM: Joint award for Harry Bennie for his opening and death bowling, solid 30 in an unfamiliar role to start the chase well and positive mentality in a tough position, and Harry Chapman for his bowling and aggressively struck 64 which added a little respectability to the score.