Glorious Sunshine, but poor batting lets Rickmansworth XI down

Rickmansworth won the toss, and with a strong batting line-up (on paper), without hesitation decided to bat. However, batting proved challenging with one end having uneven bounce - popping up and sometimes keeping low. Unfortunately Rickmansworth got of to a terrible start with the top 3 all getting a duck (Vishal/Ray/Yusuf). Vishal notably went for a Golden Duck.

Ricky got the first run of the bat (from Rushil(3)) in the 5th over (when they were 3-3) and suddenly Rushil was caught at slip and were 7-4 in 8 overs. It was going to now prove a slog to even get a respectable score. Bilal(18) Joined Neil(13) and this batting pair (partnership of 37) showed Ricky how to play on this pitch. Bilal hit some very good shots but unfortunately was out caught an over before drinks. (miscue toe end of the bat). Neil continued from where he left off last week but had 3-4 balls pop up against him and then suddenly was bowled with a pee-roller. In between there were couple of blows from Anuj/Hanuman/Nassar but in the end Rickmansworth were out for a very poor 74.

Understanding that defending a total of 74 is was going to be hard, Ken started the bowling with Hanuman and Nasser. Both bowling a brilliant line, Hanuman got a break through in the first over from a good catch by Anuj at First slip. Nassar at the other end, got the danger man for a nick (good catch from Neil B) in his first over. The openers were keeping it tight and Northwood were 19-3 of 9 overs. The team then completely lost its way by a very poor umpiring decision. Nas bowled a full toss, it was caught and the batsman walked off. The new batsman came to the crease ready to take his guard and suddenly Northwood said actually it was a no-ball! At this point Northwood would have been in deep trouble, but a terrible decision played into their hands as Rickmansworth starting losing control still hurting from that shocker.

In the end Northwood went onto win with 19 overs to spare. With such a strong batting line up it was inexcusable for only 3 batsman to get into double figures and 5 getting out for a duck! Time to hit the nets and come back strong next week!