- Skipper Max Gumpert agreed the toss by mutual consent with Southbank, wanting the hungover Plough to recover physically, emotionally and spiritually after a huge PCC Club Day the day before. Plough to field then.
- Drew and CRS to open up then, and you wouldn’t know they’d had a 7 month winter away from cricket, immediately back into their hard lines and lengths. Scoring was tough, made ever tougher by the Astro wicket that was fairly uneven in bounce.
- It was new man Viki that would create an impact almost immediately though, as the Southbank opener scampered back for a quick two, Viki, with one stump to aim at, launched a rocket throw in from square leg and with a direct hit Plough had their first wicket of the year.
- Viki soon followed that with his first wicket himself, as he bowled the other opener. Trent Catazanriti and Azharul Haque supported throughout the middle overs, with Trent dismissing their dangerous no.4.
- It was skipper Max who then turned to his off spin to search for a breakthrough after drinks. Cap on, long locks flowing, he bowled very well and was able to tie the batters down, claiming two scalps and putting Plough in a great position.
- A late flurry of runs left the target set at 176
- Umar Iqbal was the best of the Plough top order, looking great for a 38 and playing on despite some pain in his dominant batting hand.
- Callum Daley on debut also look good and supported Max Gumpert who from the other end was back to his imperious batting self, launching 4s and 6s in all directions.
- Sadly it wasn’t to be for Ploughmans on this day, with Max caught at long on and a the tail unable to get over the line, we fell 30 runs short.
- So a loss in our first game of the season, however, given weather conditions earlier in the week, there was a feeling amongst the group that we were grateful to have played any cricket at all. Plenty of positives to takeaway, new players to be excited about and stalwarts of the club back doing their thing. There’s no better feeling than that first beer, after a hard day’s cricket, chewing the fat with your mates, as the sun goes down at the DSG. PloughOn!
- Also another big shout out to Viki for purchasing his first jug for us all to enjoy!

Match Report produced by Will Curtis.