Saturday was the first day of the league season and couldn’t really have gone any better. The Green Sweep was only not achieved because the 5s were playing the 6s – so the five wins we achieved was the best we could have managed. Congratulations to the 1s to 5s for their wins – and bravo to the 6s, playing their first league fixture. It’s within recent memory that we struggled to get out 4 sides, so to be doing 6 at this stage is testament to our growth at the club in the last few years.

The 1s beat Alexandra Park – recovering from 17-3 to post 223-7 (skipper Jamie Price 81, Declan Oldrieve 88) then bowled them out for 138 (Jordan Cahir 4-42). The 2s showed that they will be able to hold their own after promotion to Div 2 by beating MTSSC by three wickets in a low-scoring game.

The 3s won a nail-biter by 3 runs against Wycombe House. We scored 206-9 (Ed Sykes 64, Will Hayes 57 – sharing 138 for the first wicket) and we bowled them out for 203, Rob Fernandes taking the final wicket. The 4s, who had a rough year in 2023 started with a brilliant comeback win. Brentham made 196, Faizan Abbasi taking 4. We were in the hole at 62-7, at which point Faizan with bat in hand hit 75* and Will Baylis-Allen 48 saw us back from the dead to register a win. Great all-round performance from Faizan, already a very early contented for the Individual Performance end-of-season award.

Which just leaves the titanic 5s v 6s. It was a bit one-sided in the end, the 5s making 181 (James Gilmour 75) and bowling out the 6s for 59. Kelly Pike, from our Women’s team making her debut in the Men’s league took 3 wickets in 4 balls (with a wide in the middle) and Geethika Jyothis bowling 6 overs for 2. A proud moment for the club!

On Sunday we played The Blues at HQ and lost, they chased down 148 with 4 wickets to spare.

The juniors had a mixed week, partly for reasons out of their control. On Tuesday the U10s lost to Shepherds Bush, the U13s won by concession on Wednesday but would much rather have got out on the field. Likewise with the U15s on Thursday and U17s on Fridays – a W in the league table but frustrating, given the weather has finally been good this week. On Friday the U11s lost to Ealing and on Sunday the U9s lost to Trailfinders. Well played everyone!

Thanks to everyone who has paid senior subs – but lots of people haven’t. Please go to Pitchero now and get it done – https://www.chiswickcricketclubdragons.com/payments/senior-membership-2024-earlybird-before-may-31-110619.html - and if you have any financial issues please get in touch with me confidentially.

Can I also put out an appeal for match sponsors? You can be sponsor a match of your choice for the bargain price of £50 – this could be an individual, a group of people, a family, company whatever. If you would be able to sponsor a game and help boost the club please contact Rob Fernandes on robfernandes76@googlemail.com, if he’s come down from his match-winning performance on Saturday yet.

Have a good week and thanks to everyone who has represented the club this week at whatever level.
Bernard