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West Herts 280-3 dec off 55 overs North Mymms 152-10 off 49.5 overs.

One thing I can say about this Saturdays game is the attitude shown by the 11 players throughout the day was top notch.

When your up against a top 5 consisting of two first class cricketers (Parlane and Clarke) and a County all rounder (Matt Smith) we knew we might have been in for a rough ride.

Good opening spells from Pearly and "the horse" allowed us to restrict them before lunch, but with over 100 runs between overs 40-50, Parlane and Clarke put the ball where they wanted. West Herts declared at 280-3 off 55 overs.

The highlight of the innings has got to be Pearly's ball to Clarke, which pitched leg and hit off, pity that this ball was in the 51st over!

We set about chasing down a mammoth target, an early nick off from Clem brought Gilbs out to join Clax, they looked to set a platform for the BBB (4 Bamford, 5 Bagshaw, 6 Bright). Gilbs looked in good touch until he got a "good nut" from Clarke. Bamford came to crease (complete with an "afro") and soon got his eye in enjoying the spinners, Clax looked in form, but had a sickness bug which meant he shouted for "eric" before batting.

Clax went for 20 odd and battled hard, Bagshaw came to the crease and looked to be positive, Bamford and himself were ticking things over. Until the shocking run out, Bamford shout NO NO NO, Bagshaw shouts YES YES YES, see you later Bamford.

Out comes Brighty and put on a few with Benny, Benny played some nice shots all around the park and Thomo hit one out of the ground. After another run out, "see ya Thomo" shouts Benny, Moods and myself came and went. Benny finally out (bowled) for 40 odd, brought Russ and Pearly together, with 146 on the board we needed 4 for another point and after a great leave from Pearly, 4 byes (cheers keeps) meant they did their job. Russ not out and typical Russ showed a perfect attitude all day.

Bishop Stortford next week, lets hope for a turnaround in fortunes, the little Indian arrives on Tuesday!

Cheers,

Blacky

1st XI v Cockfosters (H) Sat 26 April 2008

Cockfosters visited Home Farm on Saturday, for a pre-season 45-over friendly on what felt like a genuine summers day. Mymms batted first and after the early loss of Claxton, judged leg before, Gilbert and Mather dug in against some tight bowling from the openers. Their patience paid off and the pair began to score more freely, Nick Gilbert making his first 50 for his new club, and Mather progressing to 99. Some clean hitting from Jib Azam helped Mymms to a total of 198 for 6, Jon Mather being unfortunate to run out of steam and be bowled by a good delivery in the final over.

In reply, Cockfosters were always ahead of the run rate, despite Neil Black's creative use of his bowlers and some accurate field placement. Pick of the bowlers was 4th XI skipper Ian Lawless, the veteran taking 3 wickets and showing the youngsters how it should be done. Colt Adam Davies showed a cool head when bowling to good quality batsmen, and Andy Goodliffe again turned in some economical figures. Howard Cornwell took a stunning tumbling catch in the outfield, and Black smartly stumped ex-Mymms danger man Chris Stead off the bowling of Azam, as a late flurry of wickets gave Mymms hope. However, sensing this shift in momentum, the Cockfosters keeper set about finishing the game in style, which ended with debutant Gilbert heading off towards the A1(M) to retrieve the match ball. (Steve Thomas)

19th April 2008 at St Albans (40 over friendly) Clarence Park

Lost by 77 runs. St Albans 205-6. Edrupt 2-36 Searle 2-30.

NMCC 130-7. Cheeseman 57 n.o.

On a freezing cold afternoon North Mymms took to the field, some with 5 layers on, after winning the toss. St Albans ground out the first 20 overs without losing a wicket, but with some good field placements and ground fielding the home side had reached 92. Andrew Goodliffe typified this and was Gazelle like in the field, showing no ill effects of the long winter break. David Searle took Mymms’ first wicket of the season with a fine caught and bowled. For the rest of the innings wickets came at a trickle with Thomas, Nicol, Edrupt and Searle again chipping in. St Albans ended their 40th over 205 for 6 and to be fair North Mymms had done a good job against a stronger side. After an excellent tea North Mymms started their innings in a fine rain, which continued for the rest of the match, and soon had their opening bat Nicol sent back to the warmth of the pavilion by an unplayable delivery from the St Albans opening bowler. Wickets fell at regular intervals and with the pitch becoming harder to play looked as if a collapse was on the cards, but opener Ian Cheeseman played with dogged determination and carried his bat. It was a splendid boycottés knock on a tricky pitch. Ian was supported well by Williams, Boucher and Spencer and with North Mymms always behind the run rate ended on 130 for 7. Overall this was a good run out against a stronger side. (Dan Nicol)

Updated: May 12, 2008 - Chris Cook