Having lost the toss, the Under 11 C’s took the field under leaden skies - skippered by Max de Naray, who immediately turned to his hostile pacemen. The team was blessed with specialist glovesman, George Steen, who handled the occasional wayward loosener – and the fiery left armer, Yusuf Malik, settled into his rhythm with a superb ball through the opener’s gate. With Mack “The Knife” Exley parsimonious at the other end, St Cross soon exerted a tight grip on the game, which they were never to release.

If Tichborne thought they’d seen off the worst, they were mistaken. A change of bowling, and the crowd now treated to the classical action of Hector Eshelby and the commendable line and length of Jack Booth, each of them bagging a wicket and reducing the visitors to 45-3 after 8 overs.

By now de Naray was commanding his troops with great control and - an embarrassment of riches – he brought on Caspar Alexander, who further subdued the opposition’s middle order. With the mercurial Oscar Wylie providing a cameo, the captain brought himself on and proved virtually unplayable. With Eshelby, Exley and Malik all returning with a wicket apiece, the innings closed on 90-6.

This was no time to rest on laurels, though. St Cross lost both Wylie and Alexander early, as the opposition bowled well in the drizzle. No matter - for this was a lionhearted band of men - and Exley joined Steen to rebuild the innings. From 27-2, they showed commendable judgement, defending with determination and dispatching the loose balls with great flair. Both retired unbeaten, the target reached. This allowed Malik and Booth to join the fray and, with Eshelby and de Naray unleashed for the final overs, St Cross reached 125 from their allotted 20 overs.

Talent, sportmanship and new friendships were in evidence and - as the rain fell harder – handshakes all round, and a superb victory chalked up in the opening salvo for the season.