The 1st XI endured a testing weekend. Saturday saw a game at Prestfelde in cold damp conditions. Prestfelde blasted 167-4 in their 30 overs, a good score considering the wet outfield but Abberley were decidedly lacklustre. In reply we made a creditable 50-2 off 9 overs before rain brought a premature end to the day.
The following morning it was off to Malvern for the Eight 8. Playing Elstree first up we hit a healthy 88 with Francis and Tom in the runs but 100 was probably a more realistic target. A good Elstree batting line-up made the runs with with 9 balls to spare but the eventual finalists had been tested.

After a game off we faced Downs MCP. Their total of 70 proved too much as the Abberley batting order capitulated with some poor shots. Lunch seemed to temporarily galvanise the troops with Packwood given a real fright. At 19-4 they were wobbling but some good late order batting and some weak fielding allowed a total of 67. After a useful start we failed to accelerate and despite more good batting from Francis we fell 9 short. It was a missed opportunity and Packwood would go on to win the tournament !

The final game saw us play Downs Wraxall. They could only muster 60 with Max bowling beautifully. However Abberley could not find the boundary in reply and we hobbled towards the target. It came to the last ball with 4 needed. Jack duly obliged to leave three teams tied on 2 points. Progression was decided on wickets taken and having taken 15 to the other teams 16, we were duly on our way home !
Having looked forward to this tournament all term, the overall performance was a real let down. We ought to have done better but somehow contrived to make things difficult for ourselves.