And just like that winter is gone, the cricket season is here and the 1st XI travel to the newly promoted Locksbottom. What will the 2026 season bring I wonder? The early predictions involve Lewis leaving the club and then returning at least 6 times, Lushy annoying every member of every team across all 8 divisions before round 3, Pep injuring a muscle no one has ever heard of before and Miles moving to Australia. Oh, and hopefully the 1st XI winning the league.

Focusing on matters more immediately in front of us it was important to win the toss. With two of the team arriving late and with the sun out and a thistle in the middle of the popping crease it was important to bat first and get a score on the board, put pressure on the opposition etc etc.

First ball of the 2026 season would be bowled by Alex Lush down the hill having managed to only annoy 3 team mates so far, a new record. This was soon followed by a new league record as he managed to bowl a no ball 2nd ball of the season, although after that Lushy settled into a lovely rhythm bowling some absolute beauties resulting in the best spell of bowling not to take a wicket according to… Alex Lush. In fairness it was a good spell.

At the other end Jon Mitchell was bowling up a hill resembling the North Face of the Eiger although with the wind at his back for a pleasant change. With the unnamed keeper back to regular performance levels a few runs disappeared down the leg side along with 2 dropped chances, which the skipper and author would say were very tough, but others might say they were that straight forward that even Pep or Lewis could have taken them. Who is right? No one knows but what we do know is that Jon put down a beauty second ball of his third over trapping their opener LBW bang in front of something. 24/1 and the season is up and running.

After 14 overs and the score at 54/1 it was time for new bowlers at each end with Lewis to bowl the 5th over down the hill and taking no time at all to hit his straps. Fourth ball in and he was too quick for their opener who top edged one to Lushy in the covers (or does that mean he was actually too slow)? Who knows. 54/2. 5th ball of the over dot. 6th ball? Wicket! A lovely fine edge that even the unnamed keeper couldn’t drop and there was a double wicket maiden to open the season for Lewis. Very good.

Miles Henslow up the North Face next to bowl the 16th over of the game. Miles from Dubai I hear you all ask? The very same. Is he back? He is (for now, we think) in every sense bowling a lovely line and length that the batsmen had no answer to. In fairness their number 3 had very few answers to most questions but even fewer to the mysterious left arm spinner from the Middle East as he spooned it high above the unnamed keeper who stared at the ground whilst running in circles angrily telling the rest of the team that screaming “catch it” helps no one. Not to worry, the legend of a captain had put together an unbelievable field with Mark Hodges perfectly positioned for the catch. 60/4.

Lewis and Milo continued to bowl economically with Miles from Dubai actually bowling 5 maidens on the trot and going for only 14 runs from his 9 over spell and Lewis finishing with figures of 6 overs 3 maidens, 2 wickets for 19 runs.

The remaining overs were a bit of an odd one with the two Locksbottom batsmen building a decent partnership which spells from Pep, Westy, Jon and Alex failed to break. The two batsman managed to take the score from 60/4 to 193/4 at the close of play, more than perhaps they should have got but chasable none the less. At least we didn’t drop one of them early and at least it wasn’t a sitter. As usual that gnarly, gritty batsman E.Xtras also got in on the act scoring an ugly but effective 27.

Opening the batting for 1s were Lewis Bedwell and Noel Johnston for an unconfirmed club record 59th year in a row. A solid opening partnership would set us up nicely for the run chase. After a few singles from Noel and some leg byes to add to the tally Lewis crushed his 7th ball for a violent straight 4 and we were well and truly on our way. After a patient start Lewis went through the gears and the pair of Bedwell and Johnston brought up the 50 partnership inside 8 overs. Noel eventually fell for 16 with the score on 66 at the end of the 10th over. A superb start.

A couple of quick wickets fell soon after with Mark Hodges arriving at the crease and then departing followed by Lewis for a superb 53 from 43 balls and with the score on 78/3. With 2 new batsmen at the crease it was important to steady the ship and build a partnership, which Benj Johnston and Simon Barker duly did. Entertainingly Simon Barker saw off the challenge from their opening bowler Samuel Baker whilst Benj got up and running with some trademark flamingo flicks generously offered up by the bowlers. The pair put in a very well needed partnership of 89 before Benj fell for a very well made 56 from 49 balls and Simon departed shortly after for 19 with the team on 172/5.

Were the nerves starting to jangle after the loss of 2 quick wickets? It was impossible to tell due to the near sub-zero temperatures numbing any feeling or emotion but what was clear is that the crab James West (15* from 14 balls) had nerves of steel. Square cut 1 followed by square cuts 2, 3 and 4 saw us home ably supported by Miles from Dubai (7 from 5), Pep (4* from 3) and somewhat surprisingly E.Xtras with 25.

All in all it was a convincing win chasing 193 in 31.4 overs with 4 wickets in hand with standout performances from all of the bowlers but notably Miles from Dubai who had figures of 1 for 1 from 6 overs at one point. With the bat everyone played a part but Lewis and Benj looked superb with a pair of stylish 50s to start the season. Eynsford at home next, or Eynsford away then Eynsford at home to be more precise. The 2026 season is now fully under way and we are on our way. To where? Eynsford away and then Eynsford at home.