5th XI struggle for runs in first 2020 outing.

As a stiff breeze moved the clouds over Reactor No 4 at Wythenshawe CC, the 5s took to the field for their first outing against a fairly familiar Haslington team. Captain Jack won the toss and decided to bat having had a tricky time working out an order with quite a few new faces joining the renamed squad for this season. Predictably, Haslington's quick skipper opened the attack and quickly saw off Mahfujul and Ben with Louis and Rohan also meeting a similar fate without troubling the scorers. Four down with 4 runs on the board. A short day seemed to be on the cards. Having not played for so many weeks, surely Haslington would want a game rather than a meaningless walk over? Words were had, but their captain persisted - he wanted his 5 overs no matter what. Patience was needed to try and put something respectable on the wind blown scoreboard. Josh joined Adam at the crease and they looked a decent pair to see the troublesome opener off, sadly Josh didn't really get hold of a rising ball which was caught at square leg. Eight runs, five wickets - anchors needed to be dropped.

New face William walked on knowing full well what the job was. The troublesome opener was finally seen off only to be replaced by another pacy second XI player who fortunately was not quite so accurate. Good balls were defended, bad ones were put away, though with the stodgy Wythenshawe outfield, boundaries were hard won. Adam and William played themselves in nicely and with the runs starting to flow, a fightback of sorts started to materialise. A bizarre looping pie from their spinner caught Will (16) on the leg and then frustratingly fell on the stumps - seeing a decent 23 partnership come to an end. 33 for 6.

Another welcome new recruit, Mark joined Adam and again runs came with good strike rotation. A combination of good fielding, a direct hit and maybe iffy calling resulted in Mark going run out on 11 - a shame as another decent partnership looked to develop.

Adam played forward to a straight one and missed it - a very creditable contribution of 30 helping the score look less absurd - 67/8. Phil, Jack and Luuk added another 11. 78 was never going to be enough but there was expectation to see what the bowlers could do to help the salvage job.

Phil found his range and working with Mark, a few dot balls went in the book without any victims claimed. Luuk and Josh were next up and made tight starts with Luuk finding the stumps off an excellent length earning a wicket maiden. Rohan made a stunning tumbling catch after making a huge amount of ground up - champagne moment stuff. Quick gloves from Ben got Luuk's second, his third from another wicked length turning on to the stumps. Adam grabbed a catch off Mark to make it 69/5. Continuing the questionable strategy, their first team keeper popped up at number 6 and biffed 31 off 20. Game over.

So, in the end well beaten, but it could have been much worse. Adam with the bat and Luuk with the ball alongside some promising new potential made it a half decent contest. 30 more runs and a different captaincy approach from them and we'd have been in with a chance.

Let's hope for a more even contest next time out!