Lodway warmed up for the season in fine style at Ham Green on Saturday, with a victory over Twyford House, although the final winning margin of only three wickets flattered the visitors from north of the river.

Having elected to field first, home skipper Joe Crutchley threw the ball to second XI bowlers Harrison Rex and Ryan Rice, and he was soon rewarded with early wickets as both Rice (2-18) and Rex (4-3) struck regularly in the first ten overs, aided by poor shot selection from the visiting top order, and sharp catching, to leave Twyford House reeling at 22-6. Although Mr Dawes from the local comp restored some dignity with a dogged 17, Abdul (2-16) and Rimon (1-3 from 5) continued to strike, and, when Matty Crutchley (1-1) took the final wicket to fall in the 27th over, Twyford House were all out for a paltry 72.

In reply, Twyford knew that quick wickets were the only way to make a game of it, and Robson should have been dismissed from the first ball of the innings, only to be dropped at mid-off. Robson and Shopland each bagged a brace of boundaries before Shopland tried one wild swipe too many, and Abdul also fell with the score on 16. Robson and Rimon were able to take Lodway towards the team’s half-century before Robson retired for 23, at which point Marks (2-8) and Preece (2-14) blew a hole in the middle order, taking Lodway from 52-2 to 57-6, with the winning target of 73, looking a long way away. Crutchley M and Rice R each eked out four runs to halve the required runs, before Crutchley picked out a fielder with 8 still required, and Lodway's nerves started to jangle. However, the game was won only eight balls later, with first Rice (8*) and then veteran Edmonds striking a boundary to see Lodway home.

Despite his 3-ball duck in the middle order, Harrison Rex was the deserved winner of the first man of the match award of the season for his figures of 5-3-3-4 that set the tone for the match, resultant Lodway victory, and hopefully the 2025 season ahead.