After missing out on promotion to division 2 by just one point last season Chesterfords were conscious that a good start to the season was needed to be seriously pushing for promotion once again. Chesterfords were away to Mole Hill Green who were also keen to regain their status in division 2 after being relegated last year. The early season wicket looked to be hard and fast offering some unusual bounce for this time of the season, Mole Hill Green won the toss and after taking into consideration the overcast humid conditions they decided to take the field.

Chesterfords got off to a steady start with James Lipscombe and Paul Phillips batting confidently against the opening pair of Barker and Way before Phillips was caught at deep cover playing one too many lofted drives. David Perring came to the crease and between him and Lipscombe they put on a partnership of 100 with both batsmen dispatching the ball with consummate ease to the boundary. Lipscombe reached his 50 in confident fashion flicking the ball over midwicket for four, just before Perring was caught at deep mid off for a well deserved 46. With the loss of Mughal for only 2 runs Chesterfords were 132 for 3 from 27 and needed to rebuild there innings slightly to stave off a middle order collapse. Greg Watson was the next man in and offered great support to Lipscombe who finally succumbed to Way with a ball that rose sharply and caught a top edge only to loop up to mid wicket who snappled the easy chance that sent Lipscombe back to the pavilion after showing strong early season form with a confident 78. Watson carried on batting well, finishing with 30 and with the aid of Tom Thake and Steve Squares Chesterfords reached a final total of 241 all out.

Chesterfords took the pitch after the tea break knowing that 241 was a competitive total and one that they would have to work hard to defend. The opening bowlers Tom Thake and James Lipscombe started off well bowling a good line and length restricting Mole Hill green to 37 off of 10 overs for the loss of no wickets. N Price was batting very well timing the ball nicely keeping the home team’s scoreboard ticking over. James Lipscombe claimed Chesterfords first wicket of the League season bowling Conolly for 14 with a well pitched ball that Connoly seemed to misread. Price then took the game by the scruff of the neck and looked well set before he smashed a cover drive that was well taken at deep cover by Wassim Mughal after some good consistent bowling by Adam Miles. M Wright and C Craig were the only other two batsmen to offer any real resistance to the accurate bowling of Miles who finished with 4 wickets making an all important contribution in harsh, wet, bowling conditions. Chesterfords won the game with Mole Hill Green falling short of the required total by 43 runs. The game was played in horrible wet conditions and thanks must go to Mole Hill Green and their Captain Colin Craig for allowing the game to drawer to its conclusion. A real gritty performance by Chesterfords proving that this year they can be considered as real contenders for the race to top Division 3.