Vale 2nd XI began a new era under captain Jack Davis with a comfortable win in their opening fixture of the season with the skipper leading from the front with both bat and ball (although running not so much, more on that later). Switching from the Chess Valley League to the North Hertfordshire league to provide the younger players a more level standard of cricket, Davis lost the toss (great going first up!) against Graveley who asked Vale to bowl first.

Opening bowlers Yoni Laitner and Oli Ginsberg bowled with menace and intent, mixed with the odd bad ball (first game of the season), keeping the Graveley openers honest and were unlucky not to have picked up a couple early on. After 8 overs Graveley were 32-0 and Davis decided to bring on Steven Allweis with his remodelled action, bowling left arm spin alongside himself and it did not take long for the captain to get into the wickets, having Pawar palpably leg before off his 5th ball. With Allweis finding his rhythm at the other end, the flow of runs came to a stop with the pressure eventually telling, Davis picking up two more in his 3rd over, bowling “Frosty” and having Glowdansky caught to leave Graveley reeling at 53-3 in the 14th. The skipper selflessly took himself off to give Jake Musikant a bowl and he bowled well in tandem with Steven to take the teams to drinks, Graveley 67-3 and in trouble. Rafi Saville came on soon after the break and did what Rafi does, bowling line and length and had Peebles caught in a wicket maiden second over. He struck again first ball of his following over, Haff taking a smart catch behind the stumps, opener Welch gone for a patient 45 and Vale were truly on top. That was as good as it got until the 35th over for Vale as they let Graveley slowly work their way back into the game with a 55 run partnership between Kilbey and Bhagavatula before Rafi had his man, Bhagavatula caught at long on by Benjy Lovat ending his 8 over spell, 8-2-23-3 a fine effort.

Davis though was not to be outdone and returning at the death had Baker dismissed by a straight one third ball of the 38th before a filthy full toss was clothed next ball by Heron to Avi Baker (outstanding in the field today) and completed his undeserved hattrick with what was actually a decent nut, Hannah caught behind off a back of a length ball. He and Lovat bowled the last couple of overs but could not find that last breakthrough, Graveley finishing 164-9 off their 40, Davis with the stellar figures 8-1-25-6.

Openers Lovat and Baker got the reply off to a flying start, Baker looking in particularly good touch, driving and clipping boundaries at will. Unfortunately the partnership was stopped in its tracks with Baker lbw to a ball that nipped in by Frosty, going for a well made 21. Benjy continued to attack, taking 14 off Frosty’s next over including only his second six for Vale, hitting the pavilion roof. Freddie joined him and after taking a few balls to settle, began to get in on the action too. Benjy seemed to let the excitement get to him, swinging wildly at a wide one from Savate, which unfortunately hit the stumps off his inside edge, going for 32, Vale 70-2 in the 13th, still well in control. Freddie, himself decided to try and finish things quickly but alas, 4 boundaries later and he was also bowled by Savate and in the process precipitated the familiar Vale collapse.

Jon Feigenbaum was next to go, lbw to Pawar, Jake Musikant hit consecutive balls for 4 before clothing a full toss to midwicket. Then came the most village wicket of the lot, chairman Haff hitting the ball to square leg, setting off before Davis sent him back, he slipped and again, and again before the fielder eventually threw the ball to the keeper and had him run out (in this reporter’s view, they probably could have run two with the misfield). With the score 106-6 with nearly 60 to get, Vale were still on top but things were getting nervy. Up step Rafi Saville who wouldn’t take Davis’ nonsense with the running forcing him to sprint for shots that would end up going to the boundary anyway much to the amusement of all watching. Eventually Davis had enough though hitting the 4th ball of the 28th over for 4 and the last ball for 6 (with Benjy goading him as the umpire about hitting more sixes than him, serves him right) to take Vale to victory with 4 wickets and 12 overs left.

A great fielding performance from the boys and plenty of cameos with the bat, players will be looking to kick on further in the future, their first chance comes next week, again at Potters bar, see you all then.