After good pre-season workouts at Brondesbury and Sawbridgeworth, Blackheath CC's 1st XI began competitive proceedings at Shenfield CC in the Conference Cup.
As skipper Chris Willetts won the toss on a bright yet blustery day, he elected to bat in the knowledge that Zobie Sharif and the returning David Hammond would have a little extra motivation to impress the gathering Essex crowd.
They did not disappoint and despite a reasonable opening burst from the youthful Shenfield attack and some committed and enthusiastic fielding from the home side, the pair had negated the new ball threat and had amassed 65 before Zobie fell to a smart stumping down the leg side.
Hammond, now playing with greater freedom and being particularly harsh on anything full found another positive partner in Alex Senn and the pair added another 68 for the 2nd wicket before the Blackheath wicket keeper dashed any hopes of a home town hundred by picking out extra-cover for a well-crafted 69.
Senn picked up the gauntlet however and after a brief cameo from George Wells (22 from 16 balls) he was joined by Chris Willetts and the pair injected some renewed urgency with a typically tenacious stand of 56 for the 4th wicket.
The pair fell in reasonably quick succession though and so it was left to Jahid Ahmed and Jamal Patterson to continue the momentum towards a commanding total, which they did with authority and exactly the right pace.
The Shenfield reply was measured and despite the oddly shaped ground the home side seemed content to see off the Blackheath opening attack rather than take advantage of the fielding restrictions imposed in the first 15 overs.
Jahid Ahmed and 18 year old Ivan Thomas happily bowled miserly opening spells but the home side's hopes of coming through the opening burst unscathed were dashed as Ivan struck twice in the 12th over.
Warren Lee and James Hands replaced the opening pair and cranked up the pressure by highlighting to the home side that the Blackheath attack only got better. 2 wickets each and very few runs conceded meant that at 80-6 at drinks, Shenfield were playing for pride or practice.
Dipayan Paul and George Wells replaced Hands and Lee eager to underline that the 3rd wave of Blackheath bowlers was equal to the other two and they did exactly that, picking up 3 and 1 wicket respectively to finish off the home side's innings and complete a comprehensive 150 run victory for Blackheath.
A very professional performance from Blackheath's 1st XI who move on to a home league game against Sibton Park and a national knockout tie away at Twickenham next weekend.
