The Ferucci sponsored Taverners Second XI began their league campaign on a warm and sunny day and with a youthful feel among the team, spirits were high.

St Stephens won the toss and elected to bat on a slow but true wicket. They made a slow but solid start as Job and Grigg battled against the lively and accurate attack of J Eldridge and B O'Brien.

With the Jeffery's sponsored ball swinging like a banana it was surprising that neither could find the edge. In the 16th over M Watts replaced O'Brien and had an immediate impact by drawing Grigg into his only attacking stoke so far and had him caught at square leg.

This allowed Luff to the crease and as the bowling of J Tamblyn, S Rowe and D Brice kept things tight the runs kept ticking over. Neither batsmen looked like getting out until Brice tempted Job into the drive and took a fine return catch. St Stephens were 61 for two.

I Stephens came in and added 23 valuable runs until the returning Eldridge removed his stumps, while Luff kept his end up and passed a well deserved 50. Gingell stayed with Luff until the end seeing St Stephens home to 136 for three. The score did not really reflect the Taverners bowling but does highlight the need for some more concentration in the field as several runs were let through which in the end proved costly.

The opening pair for the Taverners proved little resistance to the opening attack of Baker and Job as they added only 13 runs between them. This allowed S Rowe and R Fraser to rebuild the innings. With both batsmen trying to curb their natural attacking instincts against some tight bowling, runs were regular scored but had to be worked for.

Then with the score on 42 and things looking set R Fraser went for one drive too many and was caught at mid-on. This brought N Searle to the middle and a 10-over partnership saw nearly 40 runs added before Rowe played a fatigue ridden drive and was caught at mid-on. This only seemed to spur Searle on as he played fluently and seemed to regain form of old, if only he had had someone to stay with him as partners came and went with Job claiming five wickets in the process. In the end he wilted and was bowled which meant it was down to J Tamblyn and J Forsyth to battle it out.

They added 19 runs in what must have been the most exciting part of the match but alas they couldn't keep it going and Tamblyn was bowled with St Neot finishing on 130 all out. 'If only' was a popular phrase after the game.

Scores - St Stephens 136-3 (M Luff 60 n.o.; I Stephens 23; M Gingell 16 n.o., S Job 15). St Neot 130 (N Searle 39; S Rowe 23; S Job 5-50; M Grigg 2-23).

St Stephens (18 points) beat St Neot (four points) by six runs.