Hope and optimism at the start of a new league season. Unfortunately for the 3s, the first match was cancelled on Thursday as the wet weather from April made it impossible for Wokingham to prepare a pitch.

Fortunately for the rest of the teams, wickets were ready on an unusual scorching hot first league Saturday.

The 1s kicked off their Division 2b campaign over at Hurst 1s in the 50/50 format. Ascot won the toss and decided to field first. A good disciplined performance saw the home side restricted to 167 for 7 off 50 overs. Kevin May was the most economical with 1 for 15 off 10 overs, Andy Murray took 3 for 32 and Henry Chapman 2 for 28 as all the bowlers performed well.

Sam Hawkes 34 and Kelvin Baillie 33 top scored for Hurst.

Jack Kendall and Jack Lunghusen went all guns blazing and got Ascot off to a great start. After Lunghusen fell for 34, Jack Kendall kept the momentum going as he made 103 not out as Ascot reached their total in 25.4 overs for the loss of 3 wickets.

This Saturday the 1s kick off their home matches with Wokingham 2s the visitors.

The 2s started their Division 4a campaign at home against Boyne Hill 2s. Boyne Hill won the toss and elected to bat first. On a glorious day, the Boyne Hill batsman made hay as Paul Davis 59, James Pauffley 46 and Bilal Asghar 44 helped them reach 250 for 5 off 45 overs. It should have been less but several dropped catches put paid to stemming the run rate.

In response, the 2s were never up with the run rate and despite Harry Thomason 32 not out, Murray Barter 32 and Jason Carr 31, no one made the big score to help reach the target as the 2s fell short on 167 for 7 off 45 overs.

The 2s will look to pick themselves up as they are the visitors at Henley 3s.

The 4s kicked off their Division 8a campaign at Locks Ride against Sonning 3s. Sonning won the toss and asked Ascot to bat. This season all matches are 40 over Win/Lose format. Despite being quickly 8 for 2, the 4s recovered to a very respectable 185 for 8 off 40 overs with contributions from Naeem Mohammed 31, Richard Wyatt 27 and Richard Baker 24 plus 41 extras.

Sonning lost wickets at regular intervals and despite Aamir Tahir’s 26, they were all out for 100 in 23.5 overs. Tim Howson was the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 16.

The 4s travel to Bracknell 2s this Saturday while the 3s hope to kick of their season at Locks Ride against Theale & Tilehurst 3s.