Unauspicious start for new captain!

The sun was shining on Moorside Vale for the opening day of the 2010 season, and it seemed a glorious summer was ahead. East Leeds A were the visitors to play against a second eleven under new captaincy.

After losing the toss, Adwalton were lucky enough to be given the opportunity to bat and took that opportunity with an opening stand of 78 between Chris Smith and Graham Johnson. Neither looking particularly rusty after the close season. However as often happens the fall of the first wicket brought a collapse as wickets tumbled and Adwalton fell to 120 for 6. A mini revival took the score past 150. Spearheaded by Joe Smith who ended up with 37 he was supported by Ben Allison and then a gutsy effort from young Reese Farnhill. Eventually Adwalton A finished on 172 all out, with only two balls left of the allocated 50 overs. It was an achievement following the collapse, but still probably not enough on a small field that usually requires scores around 250.

East Leeds A took no time in replying, racing towards the 80 mark off only the first ten overs, taking opening bowlers Josh Bowles and Matthew Lyles to the sword. It was James Emmott who made the breakthrough, taking the wicket of the opening batsman and then quickly dismissing the arriving number three. But the start East Leeds A had made took the game out of Adwalton's reach, and it was only 22 overs before they had overtaken the 172 total, with both opening batsman making half centuries.

Not the best of starts for a new captain and a new season, but lessons were learned and encouraging performances mean there is plenty of hope going into the rest of the season.