Ricky 1sts disappointing start to the season continued with a capitulation against unbeaten Holtwhites. With only 3 of the top 7 batters getting to double-figures, Ricky’s struggles with the bat were once more exposed and Holtwhites never really had to do anything more than bowl straight. Mobeen did what Mobeen does, with 53 runs, but he should not be batting in the 25th over with just 80 on the board. 4 lbw’s didn’t help the Ricky cause. Holtwhites struggled at the beginning as May and Blackwell pushed them to 30/2, but the experienced Kashmiri and Abadeen knocked all the wind out of the Ricky bowlers and when Mobeen grabbed Kashmiri to a diving catch by Rohan it was little more than a consolation. They won with 20 overs to spare to show Ricky how it’s done. The 1sts have all the skills and experience but are really needing to show it off on the pitch – we all know it will come together soon.

There were extraordinary scenes in the 2nd XI game where a challenging wicket saw 19 wickets tumble for 165 runs and wild celebrations at the end of the game. After the pitch had been passed fit to play by the umpire (just!), Ricky were quickly in their stride with a strong shout for LBW off the first ball. Big Tom bowled a devastating spell assisted by some quality catches in front and behind the wicket. Tom finished with 6-30 whilst Sampath and Faizan got 2 between them and Saffie the last batsmen. From 60/8, GPCC did well to reach 82 and Ricky knew the chase would be tough on a wicket with more demons than an episode of Supernatural.

Paul and Sampath did well to reach 22/0, but then the devils were always there and some rollers saw Ricky pegged to 27/3. Credit to the bowlers who gave no extras and when Stefan was out the score was just 36/5. Ricky were consolidating and then losing wickets in pairs and at 52/8 the Greenwood team thought they had it in the bag. But some quality power hitting by Saffie and Waheed – both familiar with these situations – took the score to 81, one run short of GPCC< before Waheed skied one. Enter Captain Shiv who was calmness personified to wait for a ball he wanted and then to scoop it to leg for the winning run. Much to the pleasure of these following on whatsapp and at the ground. The 2nd team are starting to pull clear of relegation now.

The 3rd team faced table-topping Luton Town and had the oppo 5 down for 79 before captain Singh crashed an unbeaten 91 to see his team pass the double-hundred. Josh, Lekshay and Gaurav all took 2 wickets. The reply started soundly with Nilesh continuing his run of good form, establishing the backbone of 85/1 along with Owen (17). However 3 of the next 4 batters scored ducks as Ricky’s reply fell to 105/7 when Nilesh was out for 36. The bowlers didn’t have the energy in the sapping heat to make a dent and although there was a rally by Josh and Syam, the Ricky team could only muster 150.

At the time of writing the 4th team scores had not been posted as the opposition left with the book! It’s understood that Flitwick scored 104 and then Ricky were struggling needing 30 to win with 7 wickets down but a couple of players scored the winning runs. Manny wrote “Great Victory in a Must Win Game”

The glorious 5ths had Pinner 65/3 at one point with 13-Y-0 Dishan taking 2 wickets, however their experienced players took the game away despite Matt Wheeler also taking 2. There were also 40 wides in their total of 298, which perhaps seems a little harsh for a game in Div 14. Did the adopt T-20 rules ? Ricky dug in for the points, but only Amaan could reach double figures as the Pinner bowling proved too strong for Bobby’s makeshift team of youngsters and veterans. Lack of availability higher up the teams has left Bobby with a mountain to climb, and only a pair of shorts and some sandals to wear. 85 all out was a decent return in the circumstances. As the great man says himself “we go again” !

Rickmansworth Sunday League team got off to a winning start in a game that swung both ways. Ruislips opening 1st batter Byrne started like a train before Shiv bowled him, making him one of 4 victims for the beloved 2nd XI skipper. Sohan and Ronesh picked up 2 each as veteran Greene held the innings together but failed to break free against a well-drilled and sharp Ricky fielding performance. A terrific direct hit by Barnaby, who also bowled well, ended the Ruislip innings on 135. Every Ricky batsman got into double-figures, except the unlucky Kamendu, however it was a wonderful 52 by talented Bilal, fresh from his 1st team debut the day before, who played an array of shots all around the ground for a battling 52*. He and Barnaby (12*) saw the team home with acres to spare. It’s great to have Sunday Cricket again.