From Cirrus to Nimbostratus in 3 days

Fonthill beat a very young Dinton

Two hours before the match on a very warm Thursday, FPCC's assistant head groundsperson Bexi Harris declared "Glorious weather - pitch is prepped and ready to go".

Dinton 90-8 FPCC 91-2 Henry Comyn reports.

A youthful FPCC took on an equally young Dinton CC. Having lost the toss we were asked to field first - Richard Green and Freddie Power opened the bowling, with Freddie striking twice in his first over - shattering the bail for the wicket of former Fonthillian Charlie Knight. The ball then went on to hit wicket-keeper John Reed on the jaw. The bail was broken , but mercifully the mandible reamined intact.

This however brought Fonthill’s Ash Major to the crease, playing for Dinton - who raised the age-profile but also steadied the ship - striking some great boundaries. Wickets continued to fall for Dinton with Rich Green taking another one in the fifth over. Replacing father with Son - Teddy started strongly taking a wicket in his first over and then continued to take a wicket in ever one of his overs - including one run out - ending with fantastic figures of 3-15 off his spell. Leigh and newbie Leo Green (no relation) supported with their bowling - with Leigh picking up a wicket as well. Dinton finished their innings on 90/8.

FPCC were feeling confident with the chase - however we lost Will Griffin on the first ball of the innings with a fine catch by their keeper from a featheredge down leg. This bought another father and son duo to the crease:Ed and Bertie Aspinall.

With some tight bowling we were initially behind the rate - but thanks to the watchful batting of the Aspinalls the runs started to flow. After a good partnership of 62 runs, Ed was dismissed for 30 runs. Bertie (27*) and the captain (19*) got us over the line with 15 balls to spare.

A fun game and a good win - thanks to all those who came down to watch and helped with running the bar - and well bowled Teddy! Two days later it was raining.

Nuthurst steal victory on damp pitch

Ed Hobbs reports on defeat in a tight game to touring side Nuthurst by 5 wickets in a revised 30 overs per side match (due to the wet weather forecast).

FPCC 144 all out (27.5 overs) Nuthurst CC 148/5 (29 overs)

After winning the toss and batting first we lost a couple of early wickets but then a strong 50 partnership between Richard Green (39) and Peter Catarinella (15) put us in good shape to post a strong total. However Nuthurst managed to chip away and bowled us out with two overs to spare despite a couple of lusty blows from Ben Ellis and Freddie Power towards the end. However we felt it was competitive even if 15-20 lower than what we might have got.

Given the impending rain we agreed to head straight back out for their innings with tea postponed until after the match. It was a very interesting chase which really could have gone either way. A first over run-out got us off to a flier but their captain came in at number 3 and stayed throughout with some solid strokeplay despite hobbling between wickets nursing a hamstring injury. Our youthful bowlers were steady (Leo Green, Teddy Green and FreddiePower) but it was the experience of Peter Catarinella and then John Salisbury who got a couple of crucial wickets, shortly followed by an excellent direct hit run-out by Teddy Green to leave them 85/4. However in tricky conditions with a slippery ball and outfield they managed to squeeze home with 6 balls to spare. A fun match, and we were lucky to get such a full game in given it was a gloomy and damp afternoon. Nuthurst enjoyed their visit and their fines presentation was amusing as ever. Thanks to everyone for playing , scoring, doing the teas etc - it was a good team effort!