The Badgers came out of hibernation for the first game of the 2016 season versus Hampstead 5ths, returning to perhaps their second spiritual home of Dundonald Rec. With about 5 months of nets behind us the Badgers were very keen to get going, as evidenced by everyone arriving, with full kit, a good 20 minutes before kick off.
Foord and Dolli opened the bowling, and to be honest I am writing this about six weeks later so I am struggling for memory, however a return of 2-19 and 2-22 respectively off seven each suggests it was none to shabby.
Amongst the other 4 bowlers used were Allen—returning after a nomadic lifestyle, Cade—taking another full-bunger wicket to many groans, Lewis—playing with family pal Allen for the first time, Jinks—twirling his way to a wicket and Shone—highlighting that his leadership would lead to changes, severe changes.
With a target of 130 off 40 to win the game the Badgers were quietly confident after indulging in a superb tea, a strong food based start to the season—well done all.
Cloke and Thorpe provided the opening batting partnership of the season and did well to keep out some testing bowling. The Badgers found that the slightly damp recreation fields of South-West London were an altogether different challenge to the bouncy indoor nets of Battersea and found it hard to get going. Shone, embracing his new leadership role and wanting to prove that he WAS IN FACT CAPTAINCY MATERIAL, hurried things along with a quick 21, with Foord and Dollimore taking up the mantle. In fact with Foord (eventual man of the match) on 31, many overs to spare and only two runs to win all was looking too good only for him to get out. So, much in the way that a stopped clock is right twice a day, Cade will score the winning runs once a year (with a streaky edge to third man).
All in all a lovely start to the season.