Ewan and Harry saw off the early overs and rattled along at a run a ball before retiring and holing out, respectively. Toby on debut consolidated nicely as the bowling became a little erratic and it was tricky to accelerate.

A reasonable score was turned into a decent one with Hugo and Raefe coming together and doing exactly what the team needed with an energetic 20 off the last 2 overs giving us 132-5.

Mark and I challenged the team to bring focus and discipline to the bowling and fielding and a wicket first ball by Harry meant it looked like it might be a win at a canter. But then... wayward bowling, wides, no balls, some abysmal fielding and some powerful batting and Binfield were 57-1 in the 7th over with a batsman retiring.

That exposed an end and our middle over bowlers started to strangle them, with Rowan taking 2 wickets in 7 balls for 0 runs; Toby, Myles and Hugo giving very little away and picking up wickets; Leo chivvying the team in the field; and an excellent run out by Raefe from a throw by Harwin. We had pushed the required run rate out to 8 from the last 7 overs but Binfield had their two dangerous batters able to come back on. Ewan mopped up two of the tail but back come Binfield's stars in the gloom.

Terrific, crucial catch by Monty off Ewan and the first was back in the Pavillion without scoring. Maxi kept the pressure up and then a phenomenal maiden by Harwin against Binfield's top scorer took the remaining wind out of their sails and Harry finished the job.

Kudos goes to Toby on his debut contributing throughout and Raefe with a really assured first game behind the stumps. But *MOTM was Ewan* for top scoring and that 3 wicket over.

What's exciting is that I know this team can do even better! Onwards!