Captains Report Vs Asian Sports Away
I was happy to see an away game only 15 minutes from home and arrived at a very sunny Sproxton in anticipation of getting our first win of the season with one of the strongest teams we had so far. We were also playing a side that hadn’t won a match either.
The wicket was green and soft on the surface which was strange considering the weather we have had. I lost the toss and we were asked to bat first by the opposition, another crucial toss for them to win. I certainly need to make a marked improvement in my tossing abilities.
Things did not start well with losing Callum earlier to a ball that did get up very much at all bringing me into the crease feeling confident to take the score forwards, I put on a good partnership with Joe Peveritt who was looking strong striking the ball well and picking the gaps before he holed out to long on and was very frustrated with himself as he was looking in good form.
This brought Will Abbott to the crease who made an impact dispatching the 3rd ball over the ropes for six. With me at the other end knocking it around our confidence started to build until I, for the 4th time in two seasons, thought I could hit the ball into orbit and ran past a straight ball and got bowled.
Mabbott then strode out to the crease and after getting dropped early I thought he would capitalise but shortly after fell for 5 runs and we found ourselves at 67-6 when Sammy Linford came in ready to steady the ship but it was not to be as he was caught for a 4 ball duck. I think he is gunning for the duck cup this year just to get a trophy? 
Mark Hudson came to the crease and I thought his experience would shine through and put us back on track to post 150 which would have been a competitive score. This was but not to be with a 7 ball duck from Mark.
Nathan came in and looked strong with Jack Adams batting extremely well under the circumstances bringing us up to 88 all out. Not the start we wanted. We took the field with the fire up us from a strong-worded but positive team talk.
Mark Hudson opened down the hill and bowled with passion and pace rolling back the years with an unbelievable spell of 10 overs 2 wickets for 11 runs. Sammy started strong at the other end keeping it tight with a much improved fielding display from us and we felt we were in the game.
Will Abbott came into the attack after tea and bowled blistering 4 overs and 2 wickets for 7 runs bringing us right back into the game with the opposition on 44-4 We felt it was a game we could win. With Will tiring and also an ankle and chest strain I decided to change it up with some spin from Joe P but unfortunately the opposition took a liking to him with some lusty blows swinging it back in their favour but at 61-5 we still felt in it. The opposition then took the game away from us with some further big strikes and unfortunately, the game was lost.
I was really proud of the way we fielded and bowled with real passion and spirit, we must just now transfer that to next week moving forwards to post more competitive totals.
Cheers
1st Skipper
Maka