In traditional season opening weather – cold, windy, hint of rain – Minchinhampton 2s recorded an emphatic victory over Hardwicke and Quedgely CC in a game reduced to 30 overs a side.

After Rich Scott opened the clubs scoring with a 6 for the second year running he soon perished but this allowed debutant Benoy Ittyavirah and Matt Hole to plunder the young Hardwicke attack with a stand of 70. After both lost their wickets going for fast runs Will Fortune (13) and Jack Cartledge (44) both piled on the agony and with useful input from Justin Hodges and Andy Naish, Minch finished with a respectable 207 -7 total.

In reply Skipper Ben Pitman (4-3)and Will Naish (3-11) soon had Hardwicke on the ropes and if it hadn’t been for three straight 4’s from makeshift number 11 Andy Rainey, Hardwicke would have struggled to make 30.

An encouraging performance from a well balanced Minch side looking to put the disappointments of last season behind them.