Perfect cricketing conditions presented themselves to the Liverpool Bar on Tuesday night in the first game of the 2018 season against Action Cricket Club.  Pristine new kit greeted players with comment being passed on the elegance of the body contouring design.. After a freak ‘Foot-Golf’ incident reminiscent of McGrath’s ankle injury prior to the Edgbaston Ashes Test in 2005 incumbent captain T. Clarke was out. In stepped the vastly experienced A. Sinker who wins the toss and wisely elects to bat after seeing the opposition field a scratch team of 7 players. P.J. Harthan and J.E. Brownson open and provide an excellent platform. Brownson’s six over mid off setting the tone of the innings early on.  Harthan showed his continued worth in an increasingly youthful team with an excellent unbeaten knock of 52.  S. Shahzad vindicated his last minute selection with a bludgeoning 50 that put the Liverpool Bar firmly in control of the match.  C. Austin and A. Jones displayed verve and daring with some striking stroke play towards the end of the innings that added to a very respectable total of 164 runs. A team perhaps short of front line bowlers allowed Action Cricket Club to take advantage of a varied if at times quite wayward bowling attack. The effect of the voluminous number of wides more than any stand out performance from the opposition, pushed Action over the top. Snicko in the form of umpire Alex Turner failed to pick up a thin leg side edge but fortunately the Action batsman, in keeping with the tone of the occasion, walked rather than do a Kenward. This was  a closely fought encounter but one that the Liverpool Bar will look to be winning as bowlers begin find their stride again after the winter break.