Bad start - and it didn't get any better for Stirlands

St James won the toss and asked Stirlands to bat on what looked a dry pitch. Stirlands were hoping to find form with the bat and post a competitive total.

The innings couldn’t have started worse, with Nick Hunt bowled by a quick inswinging yorker from the second ball.

Young Aaron Kinchen, promoted to the first XI after a promising innings for the seconds, batted with confidence, playing outstanding shots in his 26.

Stirlands also welcomed back Tim Robinson and he wasted no time showing what they’d missed. He scored a stylish 45 before Hatchett bowled him.

Unfortunately this was the start of another collapse, which saw Stirlands lose their last five wickets for 20 runs.

It was down to a combination of poor strokeplay and good bowling from off-spinner Hatchett, who finished with eight for 26 as Stirlands were out for 120.

To have a chance, Stirlands needed to take early wickets and keep the scoring rate down. Unfortunately, things did not go to plan.

The St James batsmen attacked from the first ball and accumulated boundries at will through a mixture of good shots and good luck.

Christrian Fallick was the pick of the Stirlands bowlers, finishing with figures of three for 21 as St James chased down the total to win by seven wickets.

Stirlands hope a home game this week against newly-promoted Goring can kick-start their season.