Back on the bike!

The first team will hope to get back on track following last week’s disappointment. However, they face another tough game, this time away at Horsford. The Norfolk side were in the title hunt for much of last season before faltering, slightly, in the last few weeks but still managed a third-place finish. Combine that experience, with a settled side packed full of all-rounders and an excellent record against the Rams, particularly at home, and that makes them amongst the favourites for the 2025 title. Both sides have identical records thus far, three wins and one defeat, and they both sit joint second in the table with Frinton.

Their overseas Jordan Neil and skipper Neil Hornbuckle, in common with last term, are the prize wickets but Ethan Metcalfe and Charlie Hood have made significant contributions with the bat. They have an excellent and varied attack with Hornbuckle, Ryan Findley, Callum Metcalfe and Ben Panter currently leading the way.

Rams skipper Callum Guest will have been pleased with his own form last weekend but will be even more delighted to see his left arm duo of Jack Beaumont and George Darlow return to the starting eleven. Ben Claydon averages over eighty will want his run to continue and Henry Wilson, like the skipper, made vital runs for the County on Sunday to boost his confidence. The skipper will want more from his top order which was such a feature in the title winning push last year. Mark Smith leads the way with the ball a couple ahead of the skipper with the rest being shared around. James Vandepeer will hope for a bit more luck as he has, largely, been under-rewarded for his efforts.

Downham Stow take the leagues only one hundred percent record to Copdock. Although they are the new boys on the block their title hopes cannot be discounted as they are carrying on with that happy knack, from 2024, of winning matches. Frinton, in second, will want to press on but face a Sudbury side wanting to bounce back, like the Rams, after a first defeat. The most unwanted record in EAPL 25 must go on Saturday as Mildenhall host AB Wanderers with both sides looking for a first win. The same goes for Swardeston, after coming agonisingly close last week, and they will hope to make home advantage count against Witham. The other tie sees Witchingham hosting Bury.

The seconds who suffered from the availability yoyo last week once again make a number of changes. However, skipper Dan Heath will be delighted to welcome back Alex James and Tarun Mouli who have both already made impacts with the first team in their debut season. Last week’s debutants Ed Ball and Geo Varghese retain their places after performing well under fire. Heath does give another debut as Jay Playa makes his bow. Jaykishan is a bit of an internet star partly after being hit on the head by David Warner when he was a net bowler for the 2019 World Cup! They face an unfamiliar challenge when they are pitted against Upwood who were promoted last season. I think this will be our first league encounter against the Hunts side, although I’m old enough to remember a friendly in the 1970’s! The Rams will need to be mindful of Vibhor Yadav who has a top score of one hundred and fifty-one this year and another fifty under his belt. There are also useful runs from Oli Parncutt and Vamshi Parvathaneni.  Yadav also leads the way with the ball although Johnny Du Plessis, Jason Short and Angus Pate are chasing him. The new kids on the block have made a steady start with two wins and two defeats and sit seventh.

The thirds travel to Rickling, for a bit of a Ramble, as two of the unbeaten sides in Junior One south meet. Skipper Jake Ellis is delighted to have almost a full squad available for selection. He has plumped for an exciting mix of youth and experience. Despite his relatively tender age he finds himself third eldest! He is pleased to welcome back the evergreen Wes Potschul and the experienced Robbie Matthews and Joe Latham makes his seasonal debut. Youngster Yashitha Fernando makes his third team debut following an impressive Club debut last week for the seconds. Rickling had a victory over Ashdon and picked up another maximum when Ashwell defaulted.  Ellis will be praying that the prolific Josh Monk, who averaged two hundred and sixteen in 2024, including a ton against the Rams, is on shift at work! But they are no one man band and so SBCC face a tough challenge.

The Rams fourths are joint top of Division 5 face a very tricky tie away at Cambourne who make their first appearance in this year’s competition. So the form guide isn’t telling us much. Dom Cameron the SBCC skipper will be hoping that there are no late calls on his resources and will want to keep faith with as many youngsters as possible. He was well served last week by his band of young players combined with some mature batters.