Having lost the toss and been put into bat on a typical early season wicket NF made a very bright start.

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Matt Good at the top of the order looked very solid and new boy Ben Moody (27) showed Trescothick like aggression against the opening bowlers.

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When the former lost his wicket Micheal Royce (27) arrived at the crease and wasted no time in getting on top of the bowling too.

A spell of tight bowling then followed by Andrew Render (12-5-13-3) which slowed down the pace of the innings and the hosts finished with a somewhat par score of 161. Paul Stephenson (27) steadied the middle order before a cavalier knock of 37 not out from Gary Beaumont took NF to respectability.

There were high hopes of an opening victory with NF bristling a strong bowling attack but a sense of complacency when on top, and poor catching conspired to defeat the lads in a tight finish. Moorlands scraped home by 1 wicket with only ten balls to spare.

Quite a few promising signs then for a successful season in which promising juniors can be brought into the action around reliable senior pros.

The talent is there – if the attitude and application is right (and the catches held) this is a side to be reckoned with.