St Michael’s opened their league campaign with an emphatic 8 wicket victory over hapless Obelisk B at a windswept Weston Favell on Saturday.

Skipper Ian Geddes won the toss, and had no hesitation in putting the visitors in to bat on a damp wicket. But it looked a bad decision early on as Obelisk openers Bull and Robinson threw caution to the wind, throwing their willow at anything and everything against the youthful attack of Malc Swann and Kev Mason. But Swann soon made the breakthrough, getting one to lift to Bull which he only managed to lob up to Dale Garrison, who took an easy catch.

The wickets soon began to fall at regular intervals, with Mason soon getting in on the act. Phil Matthews grabbed his first wicket for the club, and young Springbok Andy Marnewick took 3 wickets in a tight 7 over spell to remove the middle order. Obelisk were finally all out for 62.

In reply, St Michael’s were soon in trouble as Matt Collier was removed for a nervous 7. And when last year’s best batter Dave Tebbutt was out without troubling the scorer, Obelisk’s tails were up. But veteran Dale Harrison and young Will Kingston steadied the ship, guiding St Michael’s to victory with time to spare.

A good start to the season, but next week will see a stiffer opposition in the guise of reigning Section 3 champions Ecton Hall.