Updated 02/05/06

It look's like Barford are of the their usual flying start (see results page), although the bare facts hide some slightly more interesting stuff.

The first match of the year is always a tricky one for most of the old-timers (who sometimes struggle to remember where the ground is), o it was especially heartening to see new boy Paul Henderson step into the breach, as he single-handedly took on Lemmings. A double-jug effort was particularly commendable although it remains to be seen whether the dawning realisation of his team-mates incompetence will put him off any further appearances(!). Richard Jones managed to preserve his reputation as slightly injury-prone by dislocating and splitting his thumb open, although he did get much kudos by putting it back himself. Fortunately, it's not his drinking bowling hand and he should be back in action when he returns from draining the Italian wine lake(s)...

Against Longborough the following weekend a drastic change in personnel provided little succour for the beleagured skipper (pictures are in the gallery - thanks Mushie). A very short boundary and some fairly indifferent bowling saw Longborough post a challenging 217, although your correspondent managed a minor success in acheiving a lbw from the oppostion on the lines of "three shouts and your out". In reply, Barford stuttered to 11-3 before Paul Johnstone and Kapil Chadha posted a century partnership until both were rather comically out for 49. The innings rather subsided after that, including another Primary Club membership for Peter Romyn who'd spent rather a long time stalking the boundary during the afore-mentioned partnership.

Fixture secretaries have been designated for the weekend games (see the fixtures page for details), so make sure you let them know your availability in good time or you may end up disappointed.