Frimley Green Cricket ClubFGCC vs WarfieldWarfield

FGCC started their 2014 campaign in good shape with a hard-fought win over new opposition in the shape of Warfield, thanks in no small part to a magnificent century from Rich Loosley.

On a hot afternoon and with both sides wanting to bat in the May sunshine it was Cap'n Jim who won the toss, sending openers Mark and Rich onto the field under warm, clear skies. FGCC started briskly until Mark fell trying to sweep one going straight for the stumps. Graeme soon followed, leaving Ants and Rich to build a solid partnership, with Rich making the lion's share and bringing up his 50 with a towering pull for 6 over Square Leg.

Partners came and went, and despite some tricky bowling Rich could not be ousted. He batted the full 40 overs, making his 3rd century for the club and getting onto the honours board with a magnificent 110 not out, including 3 huge sixes. Not bad for someone who hadn't picked up a bat since September last year...

In reply Warfield were faced with a typically stingy opening spell from El Prez and plenty of swing from Nug, who was unlucky to have a couple of good LBW shouts turned down. Any early season fielding rustiness was thankfully not on show, as FGCC held their catches well - Mark taking a belter above his head in the covers, Graeme snagging two and Jim using his best juggling skills to help tea boy Greavsie end up with 3 wickets. At 30 overs the game looked dead and buried, but top Warfield wicket taker Steve Ruddle had other ideas, blasting balls towards the boundary and giving his team a sniff of victory. With opener Taylor run out chasing quick runs, it was left to Jim, Rus and fittingly Rich - who by this time had added 3 wickets to go with his ton - to bowl out the remainder of the overs as long shadows set in. Despite the odd scare, FGCC held on and got their cricketing summer off to the best of starts.