Cryptics vs. Warwickshire Imps, 21/8/2017 at Eastnor CC.

Cryptics 72 all out. Warwickshire Imps 74 - 3.Warwickshire Imps won by 7 wickets.

The old maxim 'if you win the toss, bat; if you are in doubt, think about it, then bat' was entirely disproven on a damp day in Herefordshire in August. As a result, having won the toss the Cryptics found themselves batting and this was a mistake. We struggled to 72, with only two players making double figures. One shot off his legs from debutant Tom Newman was an isolated highlight in a slapdash innings set within challenging conditions. Three wickets from Harvey Pynn ensured we were mildly competitive during the Imps reply, but we were comprehensively beaten as the sun came out and the conditions eased.

Cryptics vs. Worcestershire Gents, 22/8/2017 at Eastnor CC.

Cryptics 214-9 dec. Worcestershire Gents 216 - 4. Worcestershire Gents won by 6 wickets.

The youth in the Cryptics team did their bit with the bat (G Wells 63, T Nicholls 40) as we made our way somewhat laboriously to 214 in 54 overs. Conditions remained challenging for batting, and none of our batsmen were able to go on to help us secure a match winning first innings total. Roddy Williams made an important early breakthrough in the Gents reply, but an unbeaten 111 from their opener was enough for them to reach their target with overs and wickets to spare.