On a blustery day at Ham Green, the opposition took advantage of conditions to sail across the river for the local Derby. Without veteran skipper and backstop Rice senior, and early star of the season Rice junior, the team were looking to extend their perfect start to the season.

Stand in skipper Shoppers lost the toss, which turned out to be his first good move of the day. Deano and his apprentice Harris struggled through the wind to reach the middle and got the team off to a steady start with a partnership of 51. Harris departed for 15, bringing the dangerous Rimon to the crease. Rimon was soon into his work, timing the ball beautifully and dispatching the bad ball. Deano batted steadily and reached his half century (he still needs to buy the jug) in the first over after drinks. Rimon soon followed, reaching his 3rd 50 in four league games. Both fell quickly after compiling their second 100 partnership of the season, unleashing a powerful middle order with 10 overs to go. Marshy was first to get going with a series of lusty blows to the fence. Once he went for a 19-ball 36, Mason, E. picked up the mantle, blasting 23 off his last 8 balls before unselfishly running himself out in the final over with a 29-ball 55 to his name. Cameos from Parky, doing a bit of pre season running, and Shoppers took the team to 277 after scoring 100 in the last 8 overs.

Big Fraser was tasked with opening the bowling, but after testing his run up, a quad strain picked up whilst umpiring got the better of him. Rex, H. and Rimon went wicketless but kept things tight, and the required rate kept creeping up. The introduction of Abs Jolil paid immediately as he turned one past the left hander to take out off stump. Shannon B then got in on the act with two quick wickets, the second completed by a Marsh catch in slow motion. After drinks, spin twins Marsh and Shopland teased the batsman. Marsh picked up 3 wickets, one stumped by Harris, which the umpire gave after the politest appeal in cricket history. Shopland switched between bowling like Shane Warne and Shane Ritchie. Openly admitting to 'enjoying the free will' of being skipper, he gave himself more overs than the league's leading wicket taker, Jolil. Shannon came back to pick up a third wicket, but the Sharks couldn't find a way to pick up the final bowling point.

Still, 79 points out of 80 will do very nicely. Nailsea at home next week.