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"Fleet CC can be happy with the start to their 2015 campaign with convincing performances in all 3 of their weekend fixtures.

The two Saturday sides picked up 39 league points between them, while the Sunday XI had a big win at home to Binfield.

The first XI kicked off their season at home to Purley-on-Thames and were immediately asked to bat on a damp early season track.

New opening pair Tim Downes and Harry Bywaters were watchful, successfully negotiating a tricky new ball period from Purleys openers.

It was their solid platform that allowed Fleet’s long batting line up to cash in later on - with a hard hitting 130 run partnership between Howard Bywaters (69*) and Jonathan Comfort (58) providing the bulk of their final total of 203-5 off the maximum 52 over's.

In reply, Fleet opened up with the old ball and spinner Howard Bywaters who cashed in with 3 early wickets. Unfortunately for Fleet, Purley seemed happy to settle for the draw and their lower order batsmen proved too difficult to dislodge as Purley ended 8 down, despite 3 wickets for skipper Pete Talbot and 2 for left arm seamer Iain Muirden. Fleet were ultimately let down by their fielding, dropping too many chances despite a stunning one handed grab by Harry Bywaters.

Captain Pete Talbot was upbeat about his team’s performance: “Of course I felt we could have come away with the maximum 25 points today, but I have to be happy with how our season has begun. To be that dominant in the first game of the season is good news for us.”

The second XI did however manage to get the perfect start to their season with 25 points away to Yateley.

Batting first, Fleet were bowled out for 160, but it was in the field where Fleet were most convincing. They bowled out Yateley for just 99 with Hampshire Ladies bowler Amy Mistry weighing in with 4 wickets.

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"Fleet CC continued their promising start to the season with a win for both sides; taking the First XI to 3^rd in the table and placing the 2^nd XI top of division 7a.

The 1^st XI travelled away to Wokingham where (on a questionable looking pitch, and having lost his 12^th consecutive toss) captain Pete Talbot was surprisingly asked to bowl.

Fleet showed a marked improvement from their previous week’s fielding display as fast bowler Iain Muirden ripped through the Wokingham top order.

With Talbot doing a solid job at the other end Wokingham were dismissed for just 84 in 32 overs. Muirden and Talbot picked up an economical 4 wickets each, with David Proctor getting his first wickets of the season with 2 in 2 balls.

In reply, Fleet clearly wanted the home support to have something to cheer about as they set about chasing just 84 in diabolical fashion.

A mixture of poor batting, a tough pitch and a good opening spell from Wokingham’s seamers left the side reeling at 38-8, leaving the stage set for Iain Muirden to complete his match winning performance alongside opening bat Tim Downes.

The pair set about showing the rest of the side how to do it as they put together a chanceless partnership and calmly took the side past Wokingham’s 84 for the loss of no further wickets. Vice Captain David Gurney said after the game “I think we all thought we’d thrown that away at one point this afternoon, so I feel very relived to be sitting here with 20 points today”.

The 2^nd XI had a much more dominant display at home to Eversley as they racked up 225-6 in 47 overs. Ben Martin top scored with 69, completing his maiden half century for the club. In the field, Brett Backstrom then cashed in against Eversley’s middle order taking 5 quick wickets as Eversley’s middle order imploded.

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The first XI travelled away to Falkland where on a very flat pitch Pete Talbot won the toss and elected to bat. Fleet’s batsmen looked in little trouble as they racked up 214-4 declared after 50 overs. They were indebted to club stalwart Tim Downes, as he notched his first century of the season of the season, and yet another to his career tally. Downes eventually fell for 107 leaving the middle order to quickly get the side up to a competitive declaration.

In response, Fleet knew they would have their work cut out taking 10 wickets on Falkland’s docile pitch and despite a tempting declaration from Fleet, Falkland seemed content with a losing draw and were always behind the 8 ball. Four wickets from spinner Howard Bywaters in a long 18 over spell got Fleet close but they came up just short eventually getting 8 wickets after the allotted 50 overs.

A fragile Downes said after his knock “Very happy to reach 3 figures today, but I’m knackered. I think I need a few drinks tonight!”. Fleet know that to be competing at the top of the league they need to be registering maximum points from these sorts of games.  

The 2nd XI had a similarly dominant winning draw at home to Wokingham. After batting first Fleet achieved over 200 in the maximum allowed 47 overs. Runs were shared amongst the entire order and included a quick fire 39 from Ciaran Byrne. In response Wokingham were never in danger of reaching Fleet’s total and it was all about whether Fleet could take the 10 wickets needed for victory. Despite 4 from captain Deep Desai, Fleet came up agonisingly short as Wokingham finished 8 down.

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This weekend saw the 2^nd XI flying away to British Airways, whilst the 1^st XI hosted Royal Ascot at home.

The First XI had a day to forget with a comprehensive defeat at home to Royal Ascot. After winning the toss, Captain Pete Talbot elected to bat but saw his side accumulate 162 all out. It was an under par total on a good pitch, with Alex Leavold (77) the only player to make a sizable total. It was an impressive, gritty knock to bring up his maiden first XI half century, and was a genuine positive to take from the day. In response, Royal Ascot demonstrated far more application as they chased Fleet’s total for the loss of just one wicket.

Talbot summed up the day, stating “It’s one to forget”.

The Second XI captain Deep Desai lost the toss over at the Concorde Club, but was pleased to find his side inserted on a good looking track.

What happened next was beyond anything even the most optimistic of skippers could hope for as his side racked up 245-0 declared in just 38 overs. Openers Simon Payne and George Nye finishing on 114* and 105* respectively. Congratulations to George Nye especially, completing his maiden senior hundred. The result at tea therefore looked a formality and despite being made to work hard for their wickets Fleet 2s came away with the full 25 points to position themselves top of division 7a. Wickets were shared around, with Brett Backstrom impressively yielding his second 5 wicket haul of the season.

The first XI made the short trip away to Finchampstead where Captain Pete Talbot won the toss and elected to have a bowl. The pitch was good, and Finchampstead finished on 225-8. Left Arm quick Iain Muirden was the pick of the bowlers with 3 early wickets in a fiery opening spell.

Despite the large total set, Fleet were confident at the half way stage knowing a long batting line up and a good track meant they had every chance.

This proved the case as Fleet set about chasing the total with intent. Runs were shared around, but with Bywaters and Comfort well set at the crease Fleet were in a commanding position when a heavy thunderstorm curtailed the game early, leaving Fleet 60 runs short with 6 wickets still in hand. Captain Talbot said after the game “It’s disappointing that the game had to end when it did, I thought we were going to do it today. I’m gutted for the boys.”

The second XI batted first at home where they racked up 220 declared in just 41 overs owing to a second hundred of the season from the impressive Simon Payne.

Fleet were unable to prise out all 10 wickets however so had to be content with a winning draw, leaving them 2^nd in the table and just 9 points off the lead."

Losing the toss Fleet were asked to bowl on a track that looked to have a bit of pace in it. Fleet started strongly, with 4 early wickets. Skipper Pete Talbot finished with 6 in total, adding to his 7 the week before. Despite Fleet’s attack being bolstered with the return of Left Arm Spinner Phil Singleton, Wokingham recovered thanks to a hard hitting 5^th wicket partnership, however once this was broken Fleet rattled through the remaining wickets to dismiss the visitors for 190.

Fleet started their reply with good intent as opening pair Griffiths and Downes rapidly brought up a 50 run stand. Fleet could not build on this however as they found themselves in the familiar position of 100-6, with Vice Captain David Gurney top scoring with 27. Fleet eventually fell short leaving them in need of a win to get themselves out of the bottom 2.

Fleet 2nd XI were continuing in their bid for promotion with a top of the table clash away to Eversley. Set 220 to win by the home side, Fleet found themselves in a bit of bother but successfully managed to hold out for the draw 8 wickets down giving each side a share of the spoils. It is still all to play for in division 7a.

With the inclement weather the day before it was potentially the most important toss of the season as Aldershot’s pitch was soaking.

Naturally, Pete Talbot lost the toss and the boys were sent out to bat against the impressive Vineet Sinha.

It was a one man job for Aldershot as Fleet struggled to combat the cutting track and the pace of Sinha as they were dismissed for just 91, with the Aldershot opener claiming 7 wickets to his name.

Fleet knew they had nothing to lose with the ball and runs would be hard to come by on the Aldershot pitch so they set about defending their small total in spirited fashion. Left arm quick Iain Muirden proved virtually unplayable, bowling the Aldershot opener off his helmet for 0. Unfortunately for Fleet they just had too few runs as Aldershot knocked off their total for the loss of 5 wickets.

The 2^nd XI came up against an impressive North Maidenhead side, but kept their title ambitions alive with a well fought draw. Set 220 to win, Fleet finished their allotted overs on 170-7.

A slow but true track had been prepared and captain Pete Talbot won the toss and decided to have a bat.

Promoting himself up the order to open with leading run scorer Tim Downes, the pair got off to a watchful start as Fleet looked to accumulate a healthy first innings total.

Fleet eventually finished on 182, with a hard hitting 38 and 27 from J Comfort and I Muirden, alongside a classy 23 from in-form vice captain David Gurney providing the bulk of the total.

In reply Fleet knew they were dependant on their two opening bowlers Iain Muirden and Pete Talbot. Unfortunately just one over after taking the new ball Fleet lost Muirden to a nasty knee injury, which resulted in A&E for Muirden and 10 players including just one front line bowler for Fleet.

Credit had to be given to the Fleet boys for sticking to their task as overs were shared around but ultimately their chance of winning had gone. Falkland knocked off the required runs for the loss of just 4 wickets.

The Second XI had a much more positive day as they fielded their youngest side of the season away to Wokingham.

Bowling first, Fleet restricted Wokingham to 170-7, with captain Deep Desai adding to his impressive season tally with a further 3 wickets. The runs were knocked off comfortably for the loss of just 2 wickets with youngsters Jamie Hilditch and Luke Barrett both returning unbeaten half centuries. Fleet finished with 20 points and their league challenge continues!

Fleet first Xi galloped away to Royal Ascot, to their quaint ground in the middle of the race course.

Pete Talbot lost the toss as usual and Fleet were invited to bowl on a pitch that looked like it may provide some assistance to the bowlers.

It did just that as Ascot were left reeling at 49-5. New ball pairing and cute housemates Talbot and Watkins did the damage, and they were backed up with some sharp catching in the slips. The only catch of the innings to go down was in fact Ascot’s number four on 0, and this proved to be crucial as the 6^th wicket partnership was worth 160 as Royal Ascot got their total up to 210-9 declared.

Fleet’s makeshift top order set about trying to chase and were always looking second best, finally being dismissed for 120 in what was a disappointing chase; made no easier by having the distraction of Rick Astley live on stage just behind the bowlers arm!

The second XI hosted a strong British Airways XI at home and succumbed to a rare defeat. Set 235 to win by the visitors, Fleet managed just 180 all out and will look to bounce back next week when they host Finchampstead.

Skipper Pete Talbot lost the toss and on a hot day Fleet were asked to bowl; but with a strong bowling line up he knew his team were in with a chance.

Fleet were blessed with two left arm spinners, the returning Howard Bywaters and fit again Philip Singleton and they were introduced as early as the third over on a track that provided plenty of turn.

A long and economical bowling spell from the pair reaped its rewards as they took 8 wickets between them - Singleton registering 6 to his name and left Fleet in a great position at the interval.

Fleet were therefore confident about chasing the required 165 for victory on a decent track and so it proved.

Ex captain Russell Black playing his first game of the campaign took the Finch bowling attack to pieces as he racked up 105 not out with Fleet cantering home by 9 wickets. Downes and Gurney were the other two batters to provide support.

The 2^nd XI had their title hopes dented as they came up agonisingly short against Royal Ascot.

Set 189 to win, they were looking comfortable at 155-5 until a collapse left them just 13 runs short and all but ended hopes of finishing in first place. Fleet still lie second in the table and will be looking to ensure promotion come the end of the season with just two games left.