Odd Down, 14th April, 2022, England. Do you remember the first time? Do you remember a worse time? The early season game that no one is available to play. Hewes lost the toss and he was thinking it was a wise decision that Stella opened the batting, he would’ve done that too.

Sam F opened the 2022 season with a first class degree of skill that left the Hampset batsmen playing way too early at the ball, this is an April pitch that hasn’t had the summer to dry out. Despite Sam’s probing deliveries the first wicket was taken by Tom H. And it seemed that the game was swinging the Sloths’ way. Wickets fell but the Stella batsmen were putting runs in the bag. After eight overs things were looking in the balance. Up steps Howard and promptly bowls his two overs for 3-1, that’s right let me reiterate, three wickets for one run, including a wicket maiden. Mike P was up next and he got his first wicket for the Sloths, a fine WW1 howitzer that landed on top of the stumps. Fabulous! The screw had turned and the final Stella score was, we felt, a little under par.

A solid chase was needed with the light fading quickly. Up first were NIc and Sam, I don’t recall seeing Sam being bowled before. A surprise and Stella were in the game. Painter was in next and confidently put his holiday mentality behind him as he rushed the bowlers before putting one down the throat of Joe the deep sweeping fielder, Jimmy was next in , on debut, looking like he needed to avenge his recent change of career. The anchor, Nic,  however, never wavered and retired. Leaving the first six of the innings to Harry, in fact the first six he has ever scored. What a feeling! That acceleration left Sloths reaching the target with 3 overs remaining. 

As ever, questions were asked:

• Does cricket take more than it gives?
• Would Joe Root like to join our team?
• Does the artificial pitch at Odd Down still exist?
• If no one goes for a beer at the op-os club, is that rude?
• Should we play fixtures in April?
• Is Rick related to Peter Tork from the Monkees?