Well, after Saturday and a county-full of incomplete games, fair to say there were a few nerves about cricket week but in the event, it was hard to imagine a better start.

Kent Police arrived with player short,  a Sibton regular and a few old friends like Luke Samarasinghe, once of Folkestone and Linton Denning with lots of junior Nonington form.

Saturday morning, the fine weather was hopefully a sign of what's install for the rest of the summer. On a good wicket I did what all good captains should, winning the toss and having a bat (which turned out to be my only contribution to the day!). An early wobble in the batting line up, with Lodgey, Keeler and Dennis falling to some tight Elham bowling lead by Tom Matcham saw us grind to 50-3. Ben Carberry, this year's overseas, then joined Hickers at the crease. Everyone in the ground was then treated to a batting masterclass with Hickers (105), and Ben (70*) putting on 160 for the fourth wicket, a delight for all to watch with the possible exception of DS who had to sit there with his pads on wandering when it was going to be his turn. His turn never came as we declared on 211.

The game was well poised for a chase that left all three results still possible. The second half saw a solid all-round bowling and fieldiing performance followed by a mad last 8 overs which saw a great innings from Extras putting Elham almost within sight. Wickets were shared around between Lodgey, Georgina, JK and DS as Elham fell 20 short of our total hanging on at the end eight wickets down.

Everyone, Hickers especiallly, had a good day in the sunshine and we were all glad to be back playing cricket.