Salfords 1st XI starts the season with a Win

Capel has always been a good hunting ground for Salfords, and like the previous season, we were aiming for full Monty (30 points). The conditions were far from ideal for a cricket match, too wet and cold with overcast conditions. Salfords won the toss and decided to put Capel to bat knowing that there were intermittent showers predicted. G opened the bowling well and albeit the strong winds pushing him off he managed to get us the first wicket in the 3rd over. Vignesh and G continued and had a good opening spell after which Suri and Sanjeev took over, while Sanjeev struggled with the strong wind Suri bowled well and ended with impressive figures of 3/15 in about 8 overs. Suri did bowl some rubbish down the leg delivery but it resulted in one of the best catches I have ever seen taken by a wicketkeeper, well done Neil! Rob I replaced Sanjeev and bowled very well along with Rob B providing a lot of bowling options and making it easier for the captain. Rob X 2 ended up with 2 wickets each. The fielding standard was very good for the first game of the season with some good catches by Neil, G, Rudran, Ram and I. Salfords bowled Capel out for 159 in the 38th Over

Post a good tea, Salfords began the chase. Ram and Rudran were eager to get those 30 points for the club and started well however we lost Rudran early to a beauty of a delivery. Ram and Venkat then led the chase but we shortly lost Ram to a fantastic catch by the Capel captain. Shail and Venkat took over from there but the partnership lasted only 10 runs when Venkat edged a decent out swinging ball and was caught at slip. Soon after, Shail hit a full toss to the throat of the mid-off who did well to catch it and the scores were very familiar to the week before 48-4. Rob B looked solid but was out to a stunning catch at covers. The Scores at this point was 52-5 and we were all packed ready to go and drink up at the bar but then like last week Vignesh took over and hit some amazing boundaries with ease supported by Sanjeev at the other end. Sanjeev fell bringing Suri to the crease and then began the real chase. Vignesh and Suri made batting look easy although Suri had to be contained at times with 9 players shouting at him from the edge of the boundary, calm down Suri and boy he did. Vignesh brought us close to the finish line once again but was disappointed at not being able to finish the match. G had to step in with his very odd looking bat and with Suri built a good partnership of 30 odd runs and Suri with his calm hat on finished the match with a glorious four. The crowd erupted in joy, well at least the 9 of us and few onlookers. Salfords chased 159 in the 37th over with 3 wickets to go. Both the teams played with good spirits and was a very well fought match.

PS - We did call back one of the Capel batsman after he was adjudged LBW, I was stood at point and clearly saw that he got a big edge before the ball hit his pads.