Finally cricket weather! Ryan's boys were well up for this fixture after a dismal display against Tongham last week and looking to get back on track for their promotional push.

A couple of key players missing this week but some great additions to the team. The strip was looking good but outfield looked slow so RB was keen to put us in to bat first, he lost the toss (shock) but Brook chose to field first so both teams happy with that.

Marshall and Crighton to open the batting with a change to the batting line up with the skipper looking to balance out the team.

Both openers started strongly, having a look at the opening bowlers and just playing the bad balls. Both batsmen were comfortable and taking their time, Marshall then picks a juicy half volley and drills it out the middle when mid-off picks out an incredible catch and Marshall's innings comes to an early end. Wazza comes in at 3 and starts off quickly seeing the ball well and hitting the boundary early on with a big six. Wazza being Wazza plays a few wild swings but is getting settled early on. The pair look comfortable until Crighton gets excited and top edges one up in the air, 2 down. Crighton is back in the pavilion having played a good opening knock and growing in confidence at the crease.

At 2 down after 10 overs with not many runs on the board the skipper puts himself in at 4 even without scoring previous runs he has put himself well up the order. Surprisingly the skipper is playing proper cricket shots and getting his eye in nicely. The boys are going nicely and re-building with both bats scoring freely. Wazza is finally using his brain (partly down to the umpire in his ear telling him to calm down after every shot). The Stead now getting back on track with both boys comfortable at the crease, then Ryan lets a straight one under the bat and the skipper is on his way back after a helpful knock (probably be opening next week now).

Next up is the skippers big bro, Mr Reliable LB, bringing strength to the middle order and looking to get some runs under his bet this year. As always, he starts strong finding the gaps. Again, another partnership is building, someone which we haven't managed to do this season so far. Wazza still playing his own game in his own way finding the boundaries is setting the game up nicely for a strong total, until Wazza has his castle destroyed, off he plods after a cracking innings which has re-built the Steads innings.

Up steps Mr Cricket, Danny 'the man who can' McCann in his Summer outfit to join LB. A very strong middle order with these two at the crease with the potential to score big. Then Lee plays a wide ball not even on the strip and edges up in the air. Gone. The tide is turning with the Stead losing key wickets quickly, Danny looking to steady the ship before blocking one with back spin on to his own stumps. ECC up against it now. Will their tail be wagging today?

2 new batsmen at the crease with debutant Crouchy and his side kick Ninja, looks like a pensioners day out now with the old guard in to bat. Crouchy plays a couple of lovely shots to get off the mark and get rid of the early nerves, while Ninja desperate to out perform his mate he's brought in, is finding the middle of the bat and and piling on quick runs. Crouchy falls and up steps the younger hairier of the Landess brothers. Keaton is looking to get back to his batting form of last year after a slow start to the season with the bat. 6 overs to go currently at around 120 runs. Every run will be massive now if the tail can add anything to the current mediocre total. Keaton and Ninja are smashing all around the ground adding vital runs possibly taking the game away from Brook. Keaton then is caught off a no ball but loses his head and starts running around the square only to be run out even when everyone seemed shocked at the decision after the bundle of hair seemed to be laying well in the crease. Landess goes after a helpful knock and another Landess joins the crease with a couple of balls to go. Kyle finishes with another not out which he will be talking about all week and Ninja with a great performance with the bat.

161 on the board for the Elstead boys, a much improved performance with everyone chipping in with the bat, shout out to Wazza 40 and Ninja

After some cider and sweets the boys take the field confident that 161 is defendable. The skipper has made a change to the opening bowlers with Keaton taking the first over and the other Bennett taking the new nut at the other end.

Keaton starts with a tidy over with the Brook opener showing positive intent from ball 1. LB ready to run in after a long time out of fast bowling with an injury. 1st ball, swings a mile, catches the edge and a routine catch for Marshall behind the stumps. The boy is back!

Both opening bowlers going well with difficult catches going down off both bowlers. LB picks up another wicket. The Brook batsmen showing some resilience so a change is made with El Capitano bringing himself on with Warren on the other end to slow things down. Ryan with an erratic start and his first no ball given. Wazza meanwhile giving some horrendous teasers before LB and Marshall combine for a run out.

Drama!! Ryan has been sent to the field by the umpire! Too many dangerous no balls for the paceman, he really should know better. He is fuming but is reminded of the rules and has to walk. Crighton finishes the over nicely and is kept on.

Wazza takes 3 wickets, with a shout out to a sharp close up catch behind the stumps from Marshall. Crighton then gets his first wicket of the season cartwheeling the stumps out the ground (bail came off).

Credit to Brook, they have batted well all the way down and some great resilience from the youngsters. As the more experienced batsmen are knowing in starting to increase the run rate. Danny is brought into the attack and takes a quick 3fer to rap the game up. The Stead win!!

Back to winning ways for the 2's looking to make their charge up the league for promotion. A cracking win with some big performances and confidence growing throughout the team. On to the 2nd leg against Brook next week at home. Ryan will need to self reflect and also make some big decisions with players coming back next week and great debuts from the new boys Kieran and Crouchy. On to the next one.

Up the Stead!!!