This was no ordinary match for our 1st XI - our first game in Division 1 - the highest the Club has ever achieved, and following a winter of development, planning and training by captain Ryan Trattell and his team. First game too for Aussie Ed Milner, so no pressure! Graham Jones and his fellow groundsmen had managed to prepare a decent wicket despite the terrible recent weather, while many games in the league were cancelled due to unplayable pitches.

Ed didn't disappoint - a controlled and classy half century anchored the batting after a shaky start. Andy Rogers helped to build a solid middle to the innings, and last pair Marcus Ashcroft and Stan Lunt were piling on runs until Marcus ripped a hamstring and was stretchered off. Our heartfelt sympathy to him and Kate, together with warm congratulations on the birth of their second son, just two weeks ago.

A fine bowling performance with both speed and spin gradually whittled down the Droitwich batting, and they fell 23 run short. Not an unflawed performance from the Bartestree batting, but if we can win games in this new Division even so, then heads are high.

An even more convincing win for the 2nd XI, away at Birlingham. Three wickets apiece for returning sultan of swing Owen Beynon and young star Ethan Bartlett took the heart out of the Birlingham innings, before ex-1st XI captain Ben Simpkin, returning to the game after a few years absence, stroked an elegant unbeaten 80 to seal victory for the loss of only 3 wickets.