Challengers won by 57 runs

One big batting partnership for Challengers combined with dropped catches and the familiar batting collapse by DCC meant that the first match of this year's MPI 35-over Hungarian league went comfortably the way of the new team. Dunabogdany were left with some positives, particularly in the bowling department, but once again rued what might have been if only their batsmen could show a little more patience and application... if they can, victory may not be so far away.

Winning the toss, Challengers captain Marc Ahuja opted to bat, but it was Dunabogdany who made early inroads, taking three early wickets including the prize scalp of the skipper (to a perfect inswinger from Shobhit that battered leg stump) to leave Challengers in a spot of bother at 32-3. Obdurate blocking from guest Kangas player David Tosics and a couple of missed chances from the DCC keeper Steve combined to trigger a recovery, however, and though David eventually fell, this then brought Sanjay and Amandeep together, who combined solid defence and some great power hitting (particularly 3 huge sixes from Sanjay) to lay the foundations of a big total. Both batsmen fell shortly after reaching well-deserved half-centuries, and though DCC bowlers kept it pretty tight towards the end Challengers still managed to post a challenging total of 192 all out.

Dunabogdany were encouraged that they managed to bowl a side out in the first match of the season, with Shobhit (3-32), Tim Dixon (1-25) and skipper Kushal (1-37) all bowling well, but it was guest Brigi Hotea who showed the boys how to maintain a tight line and length, beating the bat on numerous occasions will her gentle but very effective slow-medium pace. She and Claudia, who also bowled neatly, may well find themselves in regular demand playing for Dunabogdany.

DCC started well enough, moving to 35 without loss, aided by some very loose bowling from some of the Challengers attack... indeed, the eventual extras count of 64 might prove some cause for concern for the Challengers. Early season rustiness perhaps. Even so, once the first wicket had fallen, wickets began tumbling at regular intervals as DCC batters swung and missed to the accurate bowling of Amandeep (3-14), Marc (2-23), Ujjwal (2-15) and Sanjay (1-11). Only Tim Dixon stood firm, coming in at first drop and carrying his bat obstinately right through to the end. But with DCC's big hitters all falling cheaply, it was always going to be too big a target and DCC were eventually bundled out for 135. At least they managed to bat more than 30 overs... but with only 71 runs coming off the bat there's still some major work to be done stringing together partnerships.

The game was played in the best of spirit possible with no arguments or controversy - thanks in no small way to the umpiring by Falcons players Haroun and Ahmad, which was calm and unobtrusive as it should be. A lovely game of cricket in the sunshine on a half-decent pitch (even with the occasional iffy bounce), where the best team won and all the players joined together in a group photograph at the end: can't say better than that :0)

Man of the Match: Amandeep Singh