With a serious deluge of rain the night before, Ross' latest encounter with Alvechurch and Hopewood was in serious doubt on the morning of Saturday September 7th.

However, the sun beamed down as the First XI travelled up the M5 and were greeted by a bone dry wicket and outfield. Alvechurch won the toss and elected to bowl first, a decision they would soon regret as regular openers Tiffen and Evans were not at the ground for the start of play, there was a promotion up the order for the Warwick brothers to open the batting.

Both looked in fine touch as the Alvechurch openers were dispatched to all parts of the ground as the early onslaught reaped 80 runs off 7 overs, before Bruno Warwick was shot down by Private Andrew Tingle for a cultured 25 of the bowling of AC Milan striker Battelley. Jack Evans came and went as he slashed wildly at Olympian Pinsent's arm ball.

This brought James Tiffen to the crease, who was full of energy after his new found love of caffeine and after an ungainly start soon began to find his mojo with some elegant drives for four.

Warwick continued on and brought up his century in the 22nd over with a four through wide mid-on.

For the full story please see this week's Ross Gazette.