ANZAC spirit gives Hitchin an itchin they can't scratch

A good day for cricket, with some sunny spells. Ricky skipper at the start of the game was indecisive whether to bat or bowl first. Indecisiveness was put to rest when Ricky lost the toss and were asked to bowl first.

Ricky started well with Jason Phillipson striking with the second ball of his spell. There was some resistance for the second wicket which was soon broken and in no time Hitchin were struggling at 56-5. Then came the usual stubborn 6th wicket partnership that saw Hitchin cross the 100 run mark. Ricky were good in the field and inflicted 2 run outs and Hitchin were all out for 148. With Jason finishing with 3 wickets. Rory Bennett and Rohan Karat got 2 each and Tom Watson got 1. Good show in the field from Ricky!

With pitch getting some sunshine, it got better for batting and 148 looked an easy target but still work was to be done. In walked the opening pair for Ricky of Murtaza Shehabi and Ajay Thakur. Taz was unlucky to be given out LBW to a ball that pitched well outside leg stump and was going well over the stumps. Ajay soon followed bowled to a good delivery, leaving the scoreboard reading 14/2. Slight panic but at the crease were the in-form batsman of Ricky, Marty Jaynes and Rory. What followed was some masterful strokes from the duo without giving any chances to the opposition. Rory held one end and Marty started accumulating runs at the other. Marty crafted a well deserved 50 before getting out caught at long on for 62. Rory on the other hand continued with his good work and hit a 6 over the mid wicket boundary to get to his 50, again a well deserved one. Jez Riddleston was the next batsman to get out, but Benn Glazier ensured no more hiccups by hitting the winning runs. Rory finished 65 not out.

Highlight of the game : 109 run partnership for the third wicked, which sealed the victory for Rickmansworth. This was the second 100 plus run partnership between the ANZAC duo, not bad considering they have only batted together twice!

A good moral boosting win for the team. Next week Ricky is up against Hatfield and Crusaders.

(Submitted by Ajay Thakur)