Ricky 4ths storm to top of table with win at Pinner

Match Report – 4th Team v Pinner away

The 4th team opened the season with a second consecutive win away at Pinner. For the second week in a row Ricky put on a steady opening partnership this time between Prasanth and Harish. After hitting 4 boundaries Prasanth was caught at square leg off a mis-timed shot. Alec (bowled) and Harish (LBW) (23) followed in the next few overs. Neil and Darshan began the first rebuild with Neil remarkably hitting 4 boundaries in his 20. Darshan contrived to get himself out sweeping a ball a yard outside leg stump onto his stumps. Neil then chipped the ball in the air to forward square leg to bring his innings to a close. At the other end Oliver (24) was taking the fight to the Pinner bowls with some powerful strikes to the boundary. Some lower order hitting from Jack saw Ricky to a competitive total of 158/9. The drop off the last ball of the innings resulting in 2 runs was to prove crucial.

Jack (1-18) and Chandru (2-20) opened the bowling against the experienced openers bowling tightly with little success until the Pinner skipper chopped on. Fells and the number 3 then took the attack to the Ricky bowlers with Prasanth trying various bowling combinations. Young Viren bowled a good tight spell building pressure. At drinks Pinner appeared to be cruising to victory at 80/1. After drinks Ricky began to make inroads with Prasanth (3-34) making the breakthrough as the bowlers took advantage of the variable bounce offered by the pitch. The breakthrough was followed up by Keshan (2-25) and Chandu taking important wickets and when Fells was stumped Ricky sensed an unlikely victory. Jack then got a deserved wicket and a run out saw the Pinner lower order under pressure. The match came down to the final ball with Pinner requiring 4 to win. After some comedy fielding Pinner’s tailender was run out attempting a 3rd run.

A great win by 1 run in a match played by both sides in an excellent spirit. Well done to everyone involved.