I hope you are well and thoroughly rested following our 2 week hiatus.

We return to action on Sunday with our annual fixture against John Wilcox’s XI. We start at 12 noon, and the day will include lunch at 1.30pm and a light tea at around 4.30pm. Players should aim to be at the ACG by 11.15am. Match fees are £10 for those not on the monthly subs scheme.

This promises to be a fabulous day - good cricket, great food and refreshments and, following the biblical rainfall of recent days, a very pleasant looking weather forecast.

Spectators, friends, family and supporters are most welcome and I urge you to come along for all or part of the day if you can make it.

I look forward to seeing you on Sunday.

Go Mounties!

I trust you are rested after our weekend off from Cricket although another successful net session attracted a decent number of playing members on Sunday.

We don’t have a fixture this Sunday, but this is more than compensated for by The President’s summer party – I hope to see many of you there.

Our next fixture is vs the John Wilcox XI on 3rd June. I am still some way short of a full side so if you are available and haven’t let me know yet, please do so asap. I believe that John may be fielding 12 players so I would like to do the same if at all possible.

I hope that you will have seen the note from DT via Bob Palmer regarding the 2018 Somerset tour. Numbers have been a real struggle this year, and in an effort to improve player availability, reduce the impact on limited annual leave and, to lower the cost for tourists, we are exploring the viability of a shortened tour. This will run from the Sunday to Tuesday with fixtures against Dunster, Bagborough and Timberscombe. Your support would be greatly appreciated – this includes the entire membership, playing, occasional or otherwise. It would be a terrible shame to cancel the tour entirely. If you can help or can entice someone who could please let myself, Simon or DT know before the weekend.

As always, many thanks for your support.

It has become clear during the last few days that this year we do not have enough players to run a full tour.

As a compromise we have decided to make it a three day tour from Sunday to Tuesday, leaving on the Wednesday morning. This does mean losing Bridgetown and Kilve, but we must be realistic. This is a committee decision and may help financially and domestically. I shall assume that those listed below as 'definites' will all come and be available for all three games if required. Any changes please let me know immediately.

I am so sorry to be the bearer of this news, but this way we can salvage three games, which I hope you will enjoy.

Definites: * Simon Jackson * David Jackson * Richard Hair (1-2 games) * Mark Smith (2 games) * Clive Lambert * Jamie Lambert * Toby Lambert (Reserve) * William Wilcox * Max Dun + friend * Tim Murari * Peter Shaw * David Thomas (if required) * Clarissa Clement (Scorer)

Fixtures: * Sunday - Dunster * Monday - Bagborough * Tuesday - Timbercombe

I would be grateful if you could let me know your availability for the following upcoming fixtures:

• June 3rd – vs John Wilcox XI – ACG
• June 17th - vs Canewdon – Away
• June 24th - vs Brentwood Victorians - ACG
• July 1st – vs The President’s XI – ACG (Grudge match!)

Numbers have been fantastic thus far and, once again, a big thank you to all those who have made themselves available and performed so well in our unbeaten start.

Let’s keep it going as we head towards the busier, middle section of the season.

Go Mounties!

After some initial fears over the weather, Sunday turned out fine and Mount continued their winning start to the season with a 5 wicket victory over Canewdon using the experimental 2 innings T20 format. Mount won the toss and put Canewdon in to bat. A disciplined bowling and fielding performance restricted the opposition to 105/6 off their 20 overs. The wickets were shared between the bowlers with even those failing to strike doing a fine job in keeping the run rate low.

In Mount’s first innings, progress was steady rather than spectacular with the exception of Smith who made a rapid 43. The damp surface and some tidy bowling made batting trickier than anticipated. However, all those to bat made a contribution as we closed on 122/6 - a lead of 17.

Canewdon veered away from the agreed “reversed batting order protocol” for their second innings and made a good start, taking on the Mount attack from the off with no little success. It was not long though before Summers and Duffin stemmed the flow of runs. As the pressure, built wickets started to fall with D. Cox taking 2 and Montellier and Jackson, 1 each. This strike force softened up the opposition to such an extent that even the skipper was able to get amongst the wickets! Canewdon reached 110/7 leaving Mount 94 to win.

Having reversed the order, Mount chased their target down relatively comfortably but not with the odd scare - with 5 wickets falling on their way to victory. However, with Williams making 40 and Green “the run machine” unbeaten on 31, we always had plenty in reserve.

Another great team effort with everyone contributing and a very enjoyable format that proved an almost unanimous hit. The music and commentary added to the day - mostly!

Congratulations to the team for another win and thanks for your efforts gents. It was great to be back at the “ACG” and lovely to see so many supporters turn out.

Finally, a big thank you to Mrs Foley, Mrs Duffin and Mrs Montellier for putting on such an impressive tea.

We have 2 weekends free now and I would remind playing members of our arrangement with Westcliff CC – if you are available on either 19th or 26th May, please let me know.

Our next fixture is against the John Wilcox XI on June 3rd, and I will send a separate mail regarding availabilities for this and the following 3 games shortly.

Go Mounties!

Congratulations to Mounties following their first game and a 100% winning streak so far!

Given the gaps in the cricketing calendar this season it seems an appropriate opportunity to take advantage of this and celebrate all things that are great about the Mount. So we are inviting you to a summer party on Sunday 27th May from 12.30. Food from 1.00pm

Families, partners and other hangers on are all welcome, but please indicate numbers by return.

Looking forward to seeing you all then!