Lazarus are a side we have traditionally run very close, had some epic battles with and lost all but 1. That was the very first Henleaze Old Boys match, and one of which we at the Old Boys are very proud. The fact that we hadn't beaten them since was at the forefront of our players minds.

Lazarus had struggled to raise a side, so it was a perfect opportunity to give our new recruits a run out for the opposition. Leigh, Gavin and Sam all ensured that Laz gave us a good game. Al Pearce was volunteered by the skipper to play for the them too ( That'll teach him for being late…)

Jo generously offered Laz to bat first as they were still awaiting late comers. Henleaze took to the field with an early season spring in their step. The loss of Joel to York and Anth to a meeting meant a fair amount of juggling to the Henleaze bowling attack. Jon and Jo opened with Jon taking the first over. Both started reasonably but Jo seemed to struggle a little, not surprisingly considering he fractured this thumb in last Monday's practice match! He did however bowl an absolute beaut that beat the Batsman just missing the off stump. First wicket of the season went to the rounder of the two Smiths who forced the batsman to edge one down to Ashley, diving to his left. A textbook Wicket. Jon got his second when the Laz bat skied one to Clements, who with outstretched hands took his maiden catch for Henleaze. The players swarmed over him eager to share in his joy and relief at the monumental occasion. The skipper then made a change bringing Ed on for himself. Ed bowled his usual tight line, and straight bowled Al pearce for a very enjoyable wicket! Adams took over from the fatsmith and would you believe it didn't take a wicket till his third over!! The Lazarus Opening Bat, Matt, had issued some serious punishment to Jon and Jo and he kept this on throughout his fine unbeaten innings of 63.

Paul Ashford was called upon to bowl and certainly didn't let HOBs down with some really tight accurate bowling, culminating in a well pressured wicket safely caught by Steady Eddie! Paul also got a runout after one of the most ridiculous singles of all time.

A mixed bag in the field, some great fielding with direct hits, and some annoying misfields, although the sun and the bobbled outfield didn't help. All in all a solid performance in the field, that held Lazarus back to 87 of 18 overs.

Nick and Phil opened the batting for Henleaze and they got off to a decent start. Phil rode his luck a little and Leigh was very unfortunate not to get him a couple of times, edging outside off stump. Still in with that Phil produced his usual display of power and aggression on the offside. Nick got 6, Phil made a healthy quickfire 23 of 18 balls.

Ed got in, smashed a four then was out! Wickets were starting to tumble, Steady Eddie gone, who would steady the good ship HOB now? Up step Jo, He'd been smashing everyone in the nets for weeks now, but today a more disciplined innings was required, and he duly obliged hitting a cultured 22, losing Matt for 1 and his brother Jon for a duck along the way. Ashley offered him excellent support, and took over himself when Jo's natural instinct got the better of him and he was stumped well out of his crease. An intelligent innings from Ashley with support from Ashford who scored a quick 10 before Al Pearce got him. Bit of a nervy end, but we do like to make life difficult for ourselves! HOBs won with 3 balls to spare, Fillingham and Stu Adams the men not out, in a tight, good natured affair. We always enjoy playing Lazarus, and will look forward to playing them later on this season with hopefully their full team!

A decent performance from Henleaze, a little rusty in places but it's the beginning of a long season. Man of the match went to Phil for his turbo charged 23, but special mentions should go to Matt for his first catch and some excellent all round fielding, Jo for his backbone innings of 22, and Ashley for conceding just 1 bye, his calm intelligent tail innings and a good keepers catch!

And finally some disciplinary action is required……….

Al Peace has been suspended from the club for taking two wickets against us.

Tom Lambshead has been suspended for turning up at 7.45pm and trying his hardest to stop us winning.

Gavin, Sam and Leigh have been suspended for failing the Henleaze Old Boys loyalty test, by turning out for the opposition.

Bring on the unknown quantity that is Venturers….