AS the football season comes to a climax the cricket season springs into life. Over at Belhus they have been having their annual spring clean in preparation for the new season.
We caught up with Hon Chairman Brian Edwards to assess the coming season for Belhus in the beautiful surroundings of their North Stifford home.
Below is the first match report of the season
Report by Fred Taylor
A pretty mixed X1 with three new players to our club, brother Rob and Ian Joyce and his son Joe, joined up with a mixed X1 which included just 5 of our 1st X1 from last season (SNEL Div 3) in opposition was a Chingford 2nd X1 (SNEL 2ndX1 Prem) who included some first teamers (SNEL Div 1) and an England Academy ladies player, who had just returned from a tour of India and some new players.
This was a good way to start the season, testing opposition would indicate how far we have come as a club.
Chingford found line and length difficult, but used the conditions well taking regular wickets through the Belhus innings, with debutant Joe Joyce striking 20 and later a dogged innings by Michael Fogg 35, a couple of cameo’s from Ian and Rob Joyce and a massive 49 extras saw us reach 125 all out in 35 overs (scheduled for 40). Chingfords McGregor (England Lady) returned 1-27, first team spinner Harris 2-4, with new players Malik and Iqbal also taking 2 wickets each.
Chingford opened with ex 1st X1 stalwart Alston 73 (who found batting easy compared with our innings) and 1st X1 opener Whitfield 1, who was undone by an excellent ball from Connor Day.
This being our only success as another first team player Harris joined Alston and they saw things through to an opening day victory for their team.
Rob Long 0-9 in 6 overs gave Belhus hope as he bowled tightly from the start, he apart the other bowlers were found wanting by the impressive Alston.
Next week sees the season start in earnest with 3 Saturday and 2 Sunday fixtures, players are advised to get their availability on the website ASAP.
Saturday sees the 1st X1 entertain Shepshed Town from the Leicestershire County League Div One, they are on route to a Sunday game at Saffron Walden.
Saturday 2nd X1 are away at Herongate our 3rd’s travel to Nazeing Common, whilst on Sunday our 2nd X1 host Essex Carriers and our 1st X1 are at Abridge.
