A stiff breeze and an understaffed opposition greeted the Pilgrims at the Civil Service Sports Ground for our first official fixture of the season.

The late arrival of the opposition did little to stem the optimism surging through the ranks of the Pilgrims eager to build on the promise of last week’s opening fixture. This optimism was only enhanced by the news that we were supplying the FCO with three of our players – Whippet, Ming and Junior. Surely they would have a better chance playing with just eight?

Having lost the toss, we were put into bat, with debutant Stewart Poiner bravely putting his name forward to open with Frodo. The Pilgrims made a slightly nervous start, Stewart caught off a no-ball and Frodo removed LBW after playing round a straight one. He was swiftly followed in and out by Penthouse, who spooned a catch to gully. Kommander, on the back of an unbeaten half century last week, started well before being bowled for 17. In strode Bumpy, and there followed a remarkable stand of 98 between him and Mr Poiner. Both passed their 50s with ease, with the opposition lending a helping hand by their inability to hold onto the ball – Ming one of the many culprits there.

Stewart was eventually caught out for 93, surely a record for any Pilgrims debutant, with Bumpy eventually following for 75. Our innings ended on 228 from 35 overs, a total we felt confident of defending.

Following tea, the rejuvenated Pilgrims roared into the field, keen to get stuck in straight away. Tidy bowling by Clarence and Bishop pinned the FCO down, and Bishop soon removed the opening three batsmen for low scores. Juggs came in and bowled fast and straight bringing Ming into the middle. Clearly wracked by nerves, Ming played and missed, missed and played until he edged one into Sven’s grateful hands – third time lucky, eh Sven? Whippet strode into bat full of confidence, a confidence that was soon smashed along with his stumps – another scalp for the Juggster. Off Whippet waddled, for a duck.

The rest of the opposition were mopped up by Sven, Hansie and Kommander, with Kommander needing only one ball to take one wicket – surely an early season contender for bowler of the season if he keeps that strike rate. As well as Sven’s snaffle, catches were taken by Moggie (two behind the stumps) and dropped by the sunglass-wearing Stewart, who was clearly trying to prove that he was only human.

FCO were bowled out for just 89 in 30.1 overs – a thumping victory for the Pilgrims. A thoroughly satisfactory start to the season.