The Baltic Exchange Cricket Club (BECC) played their first fixture of the 2025 season on Thursday, 15 May at Barnes Cricket Club, facing off against a strengthened Howe Robinson Partners side, notably bolstered by the addition of an ex-professional player.

Opting to bat first, BECC opened with debutant Pritam Mohapatra and Jack Matthews (SeaFort Maritime). Spirits were high, with Jack optimistically questioning the necessity of the standard 25-run retirement. However, what followed proved both unlucky and unforgettable. After placing a shot for a comfortable single, Jack was called through for a second run by Pritam, who had taken a tumble mid-pitch. Despite pleas for a retreat, Jack was run out for just 2, a dismissal already being described as one of the most comical in BECC history.

Pritam was next to fall, out for 12 from 20 deliveries, leaving BECC at 27 for 2 after 6 overs, well below the typical powerplay benchmark at Barnes.

Charles Aarons (Hartland Shipping Services Ltd) and Richard Adamson then stabilised the innings. Aarons led the scoring with an impressive 28 from 19 balls, including two sixes and a four, the only BECC batsman to retire. Adamson also batted positively with 13 from 12 before falling to Michael Burgess, whose reliable hands are more commonly seen behind the stumps.

Next in, Jack Taylor (BRS Shipbrokers) added 5 before being dismissed by Michael Caroussis. Stand-in captain Nathan Roberts (Range Shipping Ltd) made a solid contribution with 24 runs, before holing out to short fine leg.

Debutants Jonathan Hala (ExxonMobil) and Matthew Wolfe (Sterling Shipping Services Ltd) then came to the crease. For Hala, this marked his first ever cricket appearance after a switch from baseball. Unfortunately, he fell without scoring, caught at mid-on. Wolfe, showing a similar baseball-inspired approach, scored a quick 10 from 7 deliveries before being caught and bowled.

Sensing the danger of a returning Charles Aarons, Howe Robinson’s Mr Hindley cleverly set a defensive boundary field that effectively slowed the scoring rate.

The final pair of Will Bowden (Sterling Shipping Services Ltd) and Chris Loveday (Baltic Exchange) were unable to find the boundary in the closing overs. Bowden remained unbeaten on 13 from 17, while Loveday finished 0* from 12 balls.

BECC closed their innings at 133 for 7,  a competitive total, but one that would demand tight bowling and fielding in the second half.