There has been much morose contemplation of sodden pitches, spasmodic practice and, just occasionally, a match! Actually, were it not for the country's diesel crisis a few more fixtures may have been fulfilled, but the authorities have been loath to undertake long-distance journeys or invite others to do so in unsettled weather.

THE 1ST XI

With only one well-performed returning veteran, a couple of others with smidgens of 1st XI exposure and an influx of youthful hopefuls from the 1999 Colts group, the initial stages of the season were always going to be tentative. It was rather a pity, therefore, that not a moment's practice was possible prior to the first game and a team selected by guesswork or on hearsay evidence was cobbled together to confront a Ruzawi side bristling with familiar names, including that of their demon fast bowler of the previous year.

Our hosts' formidable total resulted from many militant shots and an even greater number of missed chances, but their declaration with only some 30 overs remaining in the day seemed to offer Lilfordia a reasonable prospect of blocking out a draw. This, however, was to reckon without Laubscher, as fast and nasty a customer as the boys are likely to encounter in the entire year, and he wasted little time in disposing of no fewer than seven timorous batsmen and causing an eighth to 'retire hurt'. The defeat thus suffered was the heaviest (runs-wise) ever inflicted upon a Lilfordia first eleven.

RUZAWI 207/4 dec (Foreman 32, Stevenson 80, Laing 70*; Croxford 1/45, Moores 1/32, Buchanan 2/57). LILFORDIA 18 (Laubscher 6-3-9-7, Stevenson 1/5, Foreman 1/2) and 19/2. Lost by 189 runs on first innings.

The next trip to Marondera was somewhat more rewarding. 'Diggie' capitulated rather weakly to a now better organised bowling attack, and then as a huge black cloud closed in over the proceedings Croxford unleashed a series of powerful strokes (28 from 17 balls) to beat the deluge with seconds to spare.

DIGGLEFOLD 41 (Jeram 13; Walters 2/11, Croxford 2/14, Stewart 4/10, Buchanan 1/1). LILFORDIA 50/2 (Croxford 28*; Smith 1/29, de Witt 1/21). Won by eight wickets.

The first home game saw Bryden threaten initially before subsiding rather suddenly. Lilfordia then opted for an alternative method, losing their first three batsmen for next to nothing before staging a recovery.

BRYDEN 89 (Ervine 12, Odendaal 42, L Niehaus 10; Croxford 3/26, Stewart 4/30, Buchanan 2/16). LILFORDIA 90/4 (Stewart 43*, Coetzee 28; Ervine 2/22, Marisa 1/32, Odendaal 1/10). Won by six wickets.

Away again, and another plague of dropped catches allowed the Lomagundi lads to enjoy a fruitful 30 overs. This type of game is, one-day course, unsuited to the capabilities of a largely 'green-horn' line-up but the more senior players should, it was felt, have worked out that when there are a lot of fielders on the boundaries there are plenty of singles and even twos to be had, and adjusted their strokeplay accordingly instead of trying to slog their way to the target.

LOMAGUNDI COLLEGE PRIMARY SCHOOL 145/4 (30 overs) (Hulley 60, du Toit 35, Nyabanda 22*, York 16*; Walters 1/18, Stewart 3/45). LILFORDIA 132/5 (30 overs) (Stewart 55, Croxford 25; Hulley 2/59, Bhana 1/23, 2 run-outs). Lost by 13 runs.

In recent years St John's have had a succession of especially talented teams (as might be expected from their large enrolment and the hinterland from which they enrol their pupils) and in 2000 A.D. it would appear that they are again well-armed at all points. A huge partnership for the second wicket enabled them to declare timeously, but after Lilfordia's top order had charged somewhat recklessly the lesser lights, Buchanan and Cork, all but saved the game. Unfortunately both developed delusions of grandeur after interminable overs of stoic defence and perished essaying expansive drives, whereupon the tail folded abruptly and St John's were home and dry with a scant nine minutes remaining.

ST JOHN'S 219/2 dec (Eysele 101*, Durrad 85; Croxford 1/26, Buchanan 1/41). LILFORDIA 122 (Croxford 27, Buchanan 31, Cork 17; Cameron 10.5-3-22-7, Wilkinson 2/8, Jarvis 1/4). Lost by 97 runs.

THE 2ND XI

Lilfordia 'seconds' are perennially comprised of virtually everyone left in the senior age-group once the premier team has been selected. They tend, therefore (apart from in the odd exceptional year) to be short on talent but long on enthusiasm and their track record for each successive season is fairly predictable. They are outclassed by St John's (whose 2nd XI would probably beat 75% of the 1st XIs on the circuit), often enough manage to force a draw with Ruzawi, and usually end up with a healthy win/loss ratio against the 2nd XIs of larger but similarly constituted (i.e., co-ed) schools. The three matches played to date in 2000 A.D. have conformed to this pattern.

THE COLTS XI

As with their seniors the colts arrived at Ruzawi for their first match in a state of total unpreparedness and succumbed rather limply. The home team's performance was spearheaded by the formidable all-round talents of L Robertson, son of the former national batsman Colin.

RUZAWI 111 (Robertson 54, Ackerman 16; Rouse 22-7-40-3, Cantle 10-1-18-2, Whitefoot 11-3-19-2, Bonthrone 8-3-5-2 - innings occupied 56 overs!) LILFORDIA 24 (Robertson 4/9, Chance 3/8, Ackerman 2/3). Lost by 87 runs.

After which three straight-forward victories were recorded:

LILFORDIA 74/5 dec (Millar 10, Khaminwa 24; Connor 1/14, Hepple 2/14). DIGGLEFOLD 17 (Rouse 3/2, Cantle 7/6). Won by 57 runs.

LILFORDIA 68/7 dec (Khaminwa 22, Hook 15; Mallett 4/12, Searson 1/9, Viviers 1/7). BRYDEN 24 (Rouse 6/5, Cantle 1/3, Millar 1/9, Whitefoot 1/6). Won by 44 runs.

LILFORDIA 131/6 dec (Khaminwa 17, Rouse 42, Whitefoot 15*, Rouse minor 25; Lewis 2/25, Croft 1/29, Fynn 3/9). LOMAGUNDI 71 (Fynn 22, Croft 20*; Rouse 7/20, Millar 1/28). Won by 60 runs.

Unfortunately amongst those matches which have been washed away was the scheduled confrontation with St John's which would have provided an indication as to how much the side has actually improved subsequent to its initial drubbing.

COLTS B

These gentlemen, largely of the Grade 4 variety, are in dire need of exposure and experience, and it is therefore sad that they have been so cruelly treated by the inclement weather. Their entire programme to date has consisted of one match.

LOMAGUNDI 57 (Aldridge 11; Tigwireyi 1/5, Barry 3/12, Smith 1/5, Ferreira 1/16, Coetzee 1/6). LILFORDIA 62/5 (Barry 16, Huntley-Walker 16*; Atherstone 2/12, Lindsay 2/12). Won by five wickets.

STATE OF THE NATION

One would have to go back some twenty years to find an equally disastrous start to a Lilfordia 1st XI campaign as that which has been recorded this time, but all is not gloom and doom. In 1999 the results on paper looked a lot more cheerful, but this was almost entirely due to the fact that last year's team, for some inexplicable reason, contrived to hold on to virtually every catch on offer. In reality the side contained no more than three boys who would be likely to become serious adult cricketers in the future. This year it is felt that there are something like eight lads with the potential to become significant performers eventually, so that although several of these have a long way to go yet and the team as a whole is currently blighted by chronic 'butter-fingeredness', there is a lot more to work with than was previously the case. It would thus be no surprise if the 2000 squad has become pretty competitive by November, and with five of their number returning the following year, augmented by certain well-above-average lads from the present colts, 2001 could be a good year for Lilfordia at this level.

In conclusion it may be apposite to remark a change in the coaching structure at the school. I A R Campbell who has supervised the 1st XI since 1968 has discovered that several courses of chemotherapy have rendered him rather more vulnerable to the tropical sun than hitherto and has retired to the shade, from whence he will emerge to coach the 'babies' as required. The senior side is now the responsibility of D J R Campbell (the Zimbabwe Board XI wicket-keeper) whilst he is replaced as colts mentor by K J Davies (who has also played representative cricket). In one then adds the occasional (when he is not on tour) input of the former national captain, A D R Campbell, and the long-standing presence of R P Hammond (a qualified league umpire) with the 2nd XI it might be argued that Lilfordia has as strong a hand in the coaching department as anyone, and that this should enable them to continue to compensate for the relatively thin trickle of natural talent available in a numerically small, co-ed boarding establishment.