In a week of heavy rain and at one stage a ground covered white with hail, Bob Flack and the team did really well to ensure a game took place (writes DAVID BARKER).

In these early season games, winning the toss can be significant – Bury duly lost and were put into bat by a Horsford team who finished 2007 one place below their Victory Ground-based hosts.

Bury went from 25 for no wicket to 50-6 and, at this stage, defeat seemed inevitable.

However, the Bury captain Justin Bishop (45) received excellent support from Mark Geeves and Mark Nunn to progress the score to 125.

And, Bury displayed their battling qualities to be all out for 131, using 62 overs.

Norfolk spinner and Horsford captain Chris Brown claimed five wickets.
With the pitch drying and the atmosphere warm, the Bury bowling attack set about a reply.

Making his league debut was the highly rated young New Zealand cricketer, Hamish Bennett, having his first taste of English cricket.

Hamish is seriously quick even on this unhelpful wicket and, as is often the case while he had the batsmen hopping about, the damage was done by the bowler at the other end.

Justin Bishop took 4-5 while Nunn dispatched three Horsford batsmen for three runs!

Horsford were bowled out for 57 runs and Bury got the season off to the best possible start.

This is a young side which really gives hope for the future of the club. The fielding was top rate and, while they may not win the league, this is a challenging stage on which to develop young players.

Simon Rees is now a part of the Suffolk squad and Josh Davey part of the Middlesex Academy – it is hoped to see these and other young players progress during the season.

Bury St Edmunds 2nd XI's game at Brockley became a victim of the weather.

Bury 3rd XI lost to Maldon but gave a decent account of themselves.
The team, led by Kevin Dobson, is a mixture of youth and experience, Mike Sturgeon rolled back the years with 30 runs and batted with his son James.

Adam Dinsmore made his Bury debut to not only obtain the extra batting point but bowled well as did Joel Warby. Kevin Dobson played his part but the target was a bit too much.

Tomorrow, the 1st XI travel to Great Witchingham, the 2nd XI host Woolpit while the 3rd XI travel to Mildenhall.
The Sunday Academy XI are at home to Hadleigh.

Cecil & Larter player of the week: Justin Bishop.