Tom Worms opened the proceedings with a pulled four off the first legitimate ball (the first was a wide - obviously - everyone a bit rusty - from Andrew Swan). But then he was really rather gentlemanly in not taking full advantage of the paucity of fielders (just three to begin with). All singles and fours from then on - but then trapped by Tony Bruggemann off the last ball of the third over - six away - so a total at that point of sixteen runs. Then more of an onslaught including a rather memorable three that was more walked than ambled. Then a blitz off the last of his six overs as more fielders turned up - eighteen off that over including a six. A challenging total of forty-eight (actually a miscount - the score-sheet makes it fifty) which became the benchmark for the afternoon.

Andrew Swan in next to deal with a greater variety of bowling from the new arrivals. Nine scored off his first over from our guest Waqar - but a lively over from our second guest Kamran (wicket off his first legitimate ball) pegged him to a total of ten after two. A hostile but rusty over from Khalid Saeed yielded eight runs - (but then Khalid was only to give away four more all afternoon). Some friendlier stuff from Will Thorogood and Robert Frew (a six off Robert) - and a total of thirty-six going in to the last over. Two off the first ball - but then Tom (spotting a challenge) snuffed it out with a wicket. Total of thirty-nine to Andrew.

Next in was Robert. A decent start undone by getting out off the sixth ball. Out again next over - and then twice more to Khalid in his fourth. Despite some hard and smart and strenuous running (nine twos as well as nine singles and a couple of fours, the damage was done. A total of twenty.

Tony Bruggemann, sterling organiser of the afternoon, up next. Good start - six runs off Kamran's opening over. Five more off Will's teasers. But then lost his wicket (Tom again). Ten off an Andrew Swan over to put him back in contention - but then trapped again - this time by Robert. A total of twenty-nine to Tony.

Waqar out to Kamran first ball. Tough start. An immaculate maiden from Khalid. Looked good against the decent stuff - but struggled with the dribblers and dobbers. Cleaned up in turn by Will (twice), Tom, Andrew and Robert. Discreet veil drawn.

Kamran had already shown us he could bowl. Undone by Khalid early on - but from minus three after his first over he advanced to fourteen (six and a four off Will), twenty-two, and thirty-six (three fours off Andrew) after the fourth. Three fours and a single off Robert and he is in the lead - but Robert nails him with the last ball of the fifth over. Six away and back to forty-three. Smooth four off Tony first ball and there is little doubt - we have a new leader as we troop in to tea - Kamran on fifty-five.

Good tea - and a stroke of genius from Tony in getting the shop to boil a kettle for us (the electricity was off). Tea and sandwiches - and a slightly weary acceptance that there was more work to be done. Some of the Presidents beginning to stiffen up.

Khalid to bat. Already on thirty after three overs (Will, Tom and Andrew) and he's looking good - but only two boundaries so far. The pace is upped. Fifty-three scored after five. And then a blistering four-four-six finish off Waqar - a sumptous total of seventy-one - never in trouble. Well played that man - a lesson for the rest of us. And the afternoon is over as a contest.

Or is it? Will Thorogood takes Kamran for eight and Tom for nine - a four off each and he's made seventeen after two overs. But the pressure is on and a tight over from Andrew stalls him. And the challenge fades as Robert and Tony and Waqar in turn claim his wicket.

Jerry Cox, hiding in the outfield all afternoon and still looking fresh is the last man to bat. Another good and solid start. Up to nineteen after three overs with a four off Tom. But Andrew strikes with successive wicket-balls and Jerry is pegged back. Another good four off Tony - but no-one is now going to catch Khalid.

A good afternoon - and a pleasant start to the season. All (or most of us) off to the Sultan for a couple of jars and a tired post-mortem. And then aching bones to bed.