Horizontals welcomed Rose and Crown, a fixture not played last year but keenly anticipated - a good bunch of lads, good weather and fine cricket expected. Skipper Willcock tossed the coin high but it landed badly, awfully in fact considering the cloudless sky and hot weather.
Amit and Matt opened the bowling, Amit rewarded by opener Feeney’s wicket for 5 plumb in front. Scores remained on par for the remainder of the innings, 7 Rose batsmen contributing in excess of 16 to produce a total of 222. The weather seemed to take its toll on the horizontals attack, 28 extras contributed in total. Willcock had an off day, struggling to find line/length and Rose appeared to score steadily off all other bowlers. Murray, cravat donned, was the pick of the bowlers snaring 3 wickets but Rose should be credited for picking the gaps.

The lunch break was eagerly anticipated, liquids taken on and play resumed with Amit promoted to open with Rich, to try and put early runs on the board. With Rich,and Matt Webster, promoted to 3, falling early, a Nikhil/Amit partnership put on 67 to give a bit of momentum. Opening bowler Patrick bowled a tight inswinging angle, 7 overs for just 15 runs. Stiven ducked out unluckily chopping on to a ball lacking the width it required for the shot.
With a rising rate, a 6th wicket partnership from Willcock and Amit put on 83 and horizontals required 5 an over from the last 9 overs. The final recognised batsmen Murray (sporting a new bat), Mike (welcome to the horizontals!) and Barry fell along with Amit whose excellent 81 lifted the horizontals hearts but departed in a final charge against the Rose attack.
Horizontals got within 32 of the asking total but despite a spirited performance were beaten by a youthful, well disciplined outfit. However, several encouraging individual performances will take us into next weeks away fixture at Graces with confidence.