Collingham Cricket Club looked the goods as they started their season with a 66 run win over Notts Unity Casuals at home on Saturday (April 20).
The visitors won the toss and put Collingham into field before the hosts went about building a respectable total of 197 at the cost of six wickets.
Opener Jack Copley top scored with 55 before being run out, it was a steady innings off 97 balls which saw Copley hit four fours.
Fellow opener Joe Saxelby managed 25 before being dismissed thanks to a catch, Chris Morris who returned from an injury sustained last season was run out for two.
Newly appointed captain Burhan Alam hit a nice 34 before he was found LBW.
Alam hit some lovely cut shots during his innings which saw him hit three fours.
Charlie DIxon hit a dozen runs before being bowled by Muhammed Shahzad Faisal.
Ben Jones put in a strong shift as he whacked 36 off 38 balls and remained not out alongside Adam Mendham who scored 13.
The Collingham bowling attack then managed to contain any threat from the visitor’s batting order restricting the top scorer Adeel Arshad to just 30 runs as Notts Unity fell all out for 131.
Alam took took three wickets for 30, while Harry Sheppard bowled three for 19.
“The lads started off the season with a great team performance at home against Notts unity,” said the Collingham captain Burhan Alam.
“Credit goes to the players as everyone stepped up and contributed.
“Special mention goes to Jack Copley who scored 55 and gave us a really strong platform alongside Joe Saxelby.
“This allowed our middle order to come in and get us to a good score considering the conditions.
“In the second half of the match, our bowlers did a great job in restricting Notts unity.
“Harry Sheppard led the line with strong figures.
“Overall it was a great start from the lads and it gives us confidence going into the second fixture against Gedling and Colliery.”
Collingham will be hoping to maintain a strong start to the season when they take to the road to face Gedling on Saturday (match start 11.30am).
