Despite missing leading run scorer Ian Cooper due to a mix up over the day of his getting back from school trip, the U15s put in an excellent team performance to see off a strong Winchmore Hill side.

Joe elected to bat first on a damp pitch and both he and Priyesh found scoring difficult against a solid bowling attack. Some short balls were dispatched by Joe and then Priyesh hit a couple of quick boundaries to take the opening partnership to over 40 before Priyesh was well caught for 19 at the end of the 10th over.

Michael continued the good work with some bigger shots than we are used to (he listened to his coach for once!) and the usual scampered singles. With both batsmen looking to up the rate they were both out stumped with the score on 75. Joe falling for 29 and Michael for 22. George and Harry, after a safe start, put in some big hits to take 21 from the final 2 overs and post a respectable total of 101 for 3.

In reply Joe and Priyesh again opened and kept the scoring rate nicely pegged back with only 17 taken from the opening 6 overs. Crucially Winchmore Hill's opening bat who had scored 78 the previous day in an adult game was caught and bowled by Joe, who also cleaned up the number 3 bat. Harry and George were a little more expensive but also chipped in with a wicket apiece to keep up the pressure.

Christian was brought in to the attack as the 5th bowler and his nagging line and length immediately brought dividends as he had the other opening batsman out leg before for 23. He kept up his efforts to take an excellent 3 for 20 from 4 overs, bowled when the opposition were looking to play their shots. Harry, Priyesh and Joe came back to bowl their final overs and with the help of some excellent fielding kept Winchmore Hill down to 92 for 8 and secured a well deserved 9 run victory.

After the sorry weather in the cup match and the abandonment of the opening league game, summer had at last arrived for this U15 game at Chalk Lane.

As is usual Cockfosters batted first and made excellent progress, with Ian Cooper, fresh from his Senior 1st team outing last weekend continuing his excellent form with a well made 54, and Priyesh Patel justifying his promotion up the order with 38. With 3 overs to go it looked like a score of 140 was easily within reach with the score on 117 for 1. However there was a sparkling collapse following the fall of Michael Levy for 12 and the score barely made it past 130.

In reply Mill Hill Village were always behind the asking rate, with wickets falling. Golden arm Harry White picked up 2 wickets and skipper for the day Joe Barker took an excellent return catch during a probing spell of bowling.

It got a little bit worrying in the last few overs as 2 of the Mill Hill Village batsmen finally found their form. With 12 an over required from the last 3 overs, 12 came from the 18th over and the confident faces started to look a bit worried. However Priyesh and Joe bowled excellent final overs, with the field well scattered to prevent boundaries, so that only 12 runs were scored from those final 2 overs and a victory by 12 runs was secured.

With the skies grey, the temperature hovering in the mid 40s and rain in the air, the cricket season commenced at Chalk Lane with what looked on paper to be an interesting tie between divisional rivals. New team manager Chris Edwards was I know particularly looking forward to the damp, chilly conditions!

The toss of the coin was to prove vital as the weather dictated that the side batting first would likely be able to see the ball! Edmonton won the toss, batted first and generally feasted on what can be regarded as a bit of a 'season opener' for the Cockfosters side - the bowling was a bit wayward and a number of fairly basic catching chances went down. The Edmonton No3 took full advantage finishing on 70 not out as Edmonton closed their 15 over innings on 102 for 3.

In reply all of the Cockfosters top order looked reasonably comfortable despite the gloom but were undone by a mixture of good bowling, the ever fading light and then lusty shots when behind the rate. Skipper Ian Cooper clearly never saw the delivery which bowled him and a number of wickets fell to either balls that kept low or were not picked up.

This writer can confirm that once the innings was about 5 overs old, no one in the clubhouse could actually make out the ball once it left the bowler's hand - calls to the Grounds Committee for floodlights will be considered! All the batters got a chance and Christian was on hand late on to ensure that a hat trick attempt was foiled and that the Edmonton fielders at least had to endure the full innings in the field to enjoy their victory!