There are, they say, only two certainties in life, death and taxes. Well let's add a third and that is the wicket at Chester Boughton Hall will always resemble a road, hard and true. So it was against this truism that the Upton 3rd batsmen were a tad disappointed when Charlie announced we were fielding. The feeling did not go away as the CBH left handed openers after a cautious opening started to move things on. However first blood was drawn by smiler Vijay who caught the young opener , Fleet, off his own bowling. With the early introduction of Tom Blake from one end the batting side progressed steadily but not rapidly as he and Vijay kept them on a tight leash. Tom made the breakthrough when he bowled the dangerous opener one short of his fifty. With Vijay finishing his miserly spell with 2 for 25 off his 15 overs it was time to crank up our veteran Diesel aka Shents. You could almost hear the old bones creaking as he turned his arm over for the first time this season. However like many an old diesel he still had plenty in the tank and over the course of his nine or so overs took four wickets. Splendidly backed up by young Tom, 2/57 and Luke CBH were restricted to 160 on what was really a 230 plus pitch. This was also due to the excellent fielding especially the youngsters George, Alex, Tom and Lucca who took a tremendous skier. Ally did a fine job behind the stumps. Diesel ended up with 4/21 with two run outs accounting for the rest.

So once again under glorious skies the good Doctor and I made our way out to start our reply. Things were going quite swimmingly as we took the score to 38 with no major problems. But then fate takes a turn and calling Ahktar for a run of the mill second I failed to realise that the fielder possessed an Exocet throw. It was therefore quite disconcerting to view this incoming missile home in on the middle stump as my hoped for turn of pace failed to materialise and was run out by a few yards. George and Lucca came and went quickly and we were dealt a further blow when on 58 Ahktar was adjudged LBW for 31. So with the pendulum swinging back into CBHs favour young Alex Wood joined veteran Diesel at the crease. Between them they moved the score on gently at first but then picking the pace up once they had passed the ton. Diesel was showing no sign of rust as he paced his innings well. He was ably supported by young Alex who played some lovely off drives as they chased down the runs. They really should have seen us home but with the score at 150 Alex holed out for an impressive 47. Diesel completed his 50 and it was left to Charlie to see us over the line.

An excellent win and a good game of cricket played in the usual comradely spirit we have come to expect from our pals at CBH. Next up one of the leagues pace setters, Macclesfield, so let's hope we can continue with our form.

Rob Chapman.