FRIENDLY MATCH
MILL HILL VILLAGE 245-7 (40 overs)
BELMONT AND EDGWARE CC 62-2 (12 overs)
Match abandoned due to rain

Belmont's first game of the season came with renewed optimism as they were bolstered by the returning Jonny Evans and Simon Taylor. However, inauspiciously captain Jacobs lost the toss and was asked to field on what looked to be a very good batting strip. Things became even more difficult when David Kay rolled his ankle during fielding practice and was forced out of the game, leaving BECC with only 10 men.

Jacobs opened the bowling himself and immediately tempted MHV's opener into a mis-timed aerial drive to extra cover, but the difficult chance was not snapped up. And from the very next over, a more straightforward one off Noam Attar was shelled and the batsman then proceeded to hit the last ball of the over for a massive six.

Meanwhile, Mill Hill's other opener, whilst occasionally troubled by Jacobs' away swing, accumulated steadily. At this stage, things looked slightly ominous for BECC.

Attar's first spell proved expensive so he was quickly replaced by Evans who quickly reasserted control and bowled economically. Eventually, Belmont broke through when Mill Hill's aggressive opener, having been dropped again off a Jacobs slower ball, was run-out after a mix-up. Evans then quickly removed their young no. 3 and suddenly Mill Hill were 49-2.

Shortly after, Mendel was introduced into the attack but whilst he bowled some good balls, he also struggled to grip the still shiny ball and was substituted for Simon Taylor - also playing his first Sunday game after a prolonged absence. His slow bowling proved difficult to get away and strangled the opposition. Eventually his nagging accuracy paid dividends when he trapped their no. 4 lbw.

Tilley also got in on the act by bowling one of his better spells for the club. His tight lines were rewarded with a wicket in his final over. Overall, by the 32nd over, a decent performance in the field had allowed Belmont to haul themselves back into the match.

However, Belmont were helped by the fact that they were finally able to field 11 people when vice-captain Elliott Mayer, who had originally ruled himself out of the game, turned up to watch and was promptly told to get his whites and take to the field.

As Mill Hill looked to accelerate towards the end of their innings, they began offering chances, which finally Belmont were able to take. Tilley took a good catch off the returning Attar at cover, to finally dismiss the other opener for 63 before Jacobs chipped in with a wicket as the batsman skied the ball straight up to Mayer, who was waiting at point.

Nonetheless Mill Hill had kept their big-hitters down the order. Attar managed to collect another scalp after inducing a catch at long-on but Village clubbed a few boundaries at the end to carry them to 245-7 off their 40 overs. This was a demanding target but by no means impossible to chase on such a benign surface.

Belmont started their run chase well. Elliott Mayer looked in good touch whilst easing his way to 37 before trying to heave the ball to cow corner and nicking to slip instead.

Meanwhile, Michael Blasebalk had looked solid before he tried to hit across the line to a pea-roller and was bowled. That meant Jacobs and Evans were at the crease when the heavens suddenly opened and the game was called off.

Belmont were 62-2 but they came away thinking that with a number of hitters down the order, it could have been a close contest had we kept on going.

This performance was highly encouraging and with the team boosted by new arrivals, Belmont should be competitive this season.