Charlie’s career-best starts season in style

Driving force: Charlie Randall cracks one through the covers on his way to a career-best 91* against visitors Thurleigh on Sunday

Charlie Randall cracked a career-best unbeaten 91 to round off the first weekend of action at the Park this season with a comfortable victory.

The first XI skipper was in superb touch, driving, cutting and pulling with authority to help his side overhaul touring side Thurleigh’s 170-9 in an enjoyable 35-over contest on Sunday.

Randall posted a half-century opening stand with overseas player Sam Gardiner, who made a composed 38 before being bowled leaving a ball which pitched well outside off but spun back sharply.

Ian Woods added a breezy 21 before the match was wrapped up with more than an over to spare.

Earlier, the visitors from Bedfordshire batted adventurously to set a challenging total. Dave Barwick proved the surprise pick of the bowlers, claiming 3-22 with his loopy left-armers, albeit with one victim slapping a wide ball that landed on the next pitch to point and another falling to a wild swing at a donkey drop which struck the stumps on the full.

Graham Fisher bowled tightly on a surprisingly bouncy wicket, while Ian Pickering recovered from a poor first over to claim 2-46.

On Saturday, the season kicked off with the sun shining but mixed results for the Park in two one-sided contests.

The firsts were comfortably beaten by Indian Gymkhana after being bowled out for 120. Josh Roseberry top-scored with 32, while Lee Robinson (20) and Luke Chapman (22) made the only other significant contributions.

The visitors secured a six-wicket win, with off-spinner Chapman (2-34) the pick of the Park bowlers.

The seconds, however, enjoyed a five-wicket win after bundling out Watford for 98 on the bottom pitch. Ross Courtney returned the impressive figures of 7-4-3-3 while teenage spinner Jack Orchard claimed three wickets for only eight runs.

Alex Richmond top-scored with 41 as the Park chased down the total for the loss of five wickets, with Adrian Holmes (25) and Bobby Orlandi (16*) the other main contributors.