First Plum Encounter.

Last Tuesday saw the 12s arrive at Plumtree for a pairs match, in similarly baltic conditions, despite some rays of sunshine, amidst the Independence Day sky. Not the day for shorts and toeless sandals...

With the legends of Palmer and Dring at the helm of the Plums development squad, it was always going to be played in great spirits.

Palmer Jnr won the toss and elected to bat and immediately took to the crease himself. Shepherd eyeing up the prized wicket! After a single off the first over, Rock, for the second night in succession, took a wicket with his first ball as Palmer looped one into the grateful hands of Neece - wicket maiden. Change ends -6 runs. Shepherd then caught the Plumtree skipper off his own bowling before removing his middle stump. Fantastic start.

With the constant drizzle making it unpleasant at best and the ball like a bar of soap - Neece and Kitching kept applying the pressure. The latter producing a tremendously flighted leg break to take out off stump.

Debutant, Walker, bowled a superb two overs and deservedly took a wicket, clean bowled, with the 3rd pair starting to find their feet. Cox, not to be out done, was thankful to Brown who held on safely at mid off.

With dad cowering on the sidelines inappropriate clothing (for the weather not a bikini...) young Phoenix maintained his spritely manner with the ball, looking sharp and back to his mark quickly. Brown took his maiden competitive wicket, with his final ball, as one popped up to Cairns, who had done well behind the stumps.

(start on 200) 274 - 8 (-6x8) Nett 228

Senior partners of Cairns and Neece opened up, and saw off Palmer's initial over, still on -18 Joe, but the Plumtree skipper was made of sterner stuff as Cairns played across a straight delivery and the bails tumbled. A great start from the pair saw 18 runs scored for the loss of 1 wicket.

Cox and Walker, were instructed to play with a straight bat and repel everything, which they did to warm applause from the sideline. With Plumtree bowling excellent, and not one extra (2 runs) delivered the pressure was being applied. Cox lofted one into the covers before an indecisive run out put the Plums on top, thanks to 4-2-2-2 from the second change pair. 220-3

The big hitting Shepherd strode out with sidekick Kitching looking to go aerial, but quickly resorted to last seasons baseball style swing and a miss. Kitching, who appeared to be running in his own lane of treacle, was grateful to inexperience after being caught half way down the track for a returning run. Shepherd bludgeoned one back over the bowlers head. The ball from the deep reached the bowler who stood at the stumps with the ball without removing the bails.

With runs hard to come by, Shepherd swung hard on two straight ones to find himself one stump short of a wicket.

The lovable left hander, Phoenix, looked strong on his legs, as the bowling remained impeccable. Rock clipped one to midwicket before being bowled as the screw was being tightened.

The last pair of Newell and Brown were instructed to enjoy it and put on 19 runs. Brown finishing the innings on a high with a beautifully whipped boundary. Palmer came back for the last laugh - a full delivery bowling Newell and very tidy figures of 3-0-11-2.

252 - 9 Nett 198

A very enjoyable night and a very creditable start, especially thinking back to last year when double figure wickets down, were conceded regularly at the start of the season. An excellent lesson in bowling by the Plumtree attack but a pleasing performance all round.