The Colchester Garrison Cricket Club celebrated their first remarkable victory of the new season with a very unremarkable performance against the Real Oddies in a Pre Season friendly at the A Ground. Put into bat the hosts managed to accumulate 137 runs on a bland wicket which provided the bowlers with little help. Muhammad Nadeem and skipper James McKentey (40) helped to boost the total following on from a steady opening innings from Paul Garrett.

At the tea interval it looked as though this total would not be enough and the visitors soon set about the Garrison bowlers with gusto. Mid way through their allotted overs Real Oddies had amassed a total of 105 for 2 aided and abetted by numerous dropped catches and sloppy fielding. The visitors appeared to be coasting to an easy win until a change in the bowling saw Shaun Haig (3 - 15) snap up three quick wickets and together with Nadeem, and some keen fielding, helped the home team to a 12 run victory. The Garrison Cricket Club return to the Piri Piri North Essex League this season for the first time in six years and look set fair to make their mark once again on the local cricket scene.

Graham Aitken Colchester Garrison Cricket Club Based on information supplied by Graham Aitken.