The Ridge 1st XI got off to a solid start with the better end of the draw at home to Wolverton. Having lost the toss, the Bears were inserted and got off to a flyer with Middleton and Bird taking apart some loose Wolverton bowling. Midds was the dominant partner making 78 in relatively quick time on a slow low track. Steve Bird meanwhile was anchoring the innings and began to break free with some fluent strokes on his way to 63. The Ridge didn't quite capitalise on the great a start and managed 235-7 of their 53 overs with skipper Keeping making the only other significant contribution with 47 not out.
Wolverton in reply got off to a brisk start thanks to some wayward bowling. They'd made 50 in just 9 overs as Bell and Yeo made 30 and 41 respectively. However as the Bears picked up wickets the Wolverton batsmen went into their shells and gradually the runs dried up. Overseas player Harsh Tataria had a decent debut with 3 for 70 from a marathon 23 over spell. Meanwhile, injured vice captain Paul Brzezicki took 3-16 from 10 overs once the pain killers had kicked in. Wolverton finished on 180-7 off 50 overs and it is clear that on the Ridge track it will be difficult to bowl sides out second if they shut up shop.
