MIDDLESEX GAIN “WARM?”-UP WIN!

Ice station Shire Park was the venue for the 3^rd annual early season fixture between Hertfordshire and Middlesex CBA’s Middleton Cup Squads.

This game, which is treated as a get together, rather than a trial is seen as a valuable opportunity for those on the fringes of the Middleton Cup Squad to have the chance to play alongside and mix with seasoned squad members.

This season with a number of senior players either unavailable or unwell there was more than the usual chance for others to shine and unlike the frigid weather, shine they did.

Middlesex’s team Manager Brian Hearn and President Graham Kellet will be delighted that their shivering troops returned a comfortable 122-108 victory and created, as a result, some nice selection headaches for the forthcoming season.

Mal Bishop deserves a special mention, after missing his train he drove all the way from Swansea to attend the match. This shows the dedication some players have towards the County.

The competitive season now gets underway with friendly fixtures this week, against Warwickshire and Buckinghamshire CBA’s. Next Sunday the Middlesex top 8 play their prelim game against Hampshire CBA at Finchley BC.

Then on the 22^nd, again at Finchley, Middlesex begin the defence of their Home Counties title against Surrey CBA.

We will be attempting to bring you reports from all of the Senior games this season, if you have any interesting pre or post match observations or anecdotes you would like to have included in reports, especially for games that I am not at, please e mail me via tony.waller1999@googlemail.com.

Tony Waller.

Your roving reporter.