Every good Saturday night begins with a win for the 1st XI and this was duly delivered in style by a team that is once again beginning to hit the heights it reached last season. Hertford started slowly with some tight bowling by Tahir and Abdul and no player in their top 6 got more than 26 as the Ricky bowlers kept chipping away. Yash bowled 42 balls for just 8 runs. From 150/5, Hertford subsided to 211 all out with Harvey (3-37) and Mobeen (2-41) spinning out the lower order. It was a 300 track and Ricky proved this in reply with Harvey (30) setting up Sagar, in his best Ricky performance of 94* and Kamber , with 67 to push on and cruise to the target with 20 overs to spare.

The 2nd team kept up their pressure on the teams above them with another good win, though not without a few bumps in the road. Maz started superbly on a flat deck before pulling to square leg when he looked well set for a 50. Kamran played well for 49 and every batter down to 6 contributed well, but a tail=end collapse including 2 run-outs, saw Ricky post a lower-than-hoped target of 176. However this Ricky side is strong in all departments and once Shiv and Majid had removed the top order, it was a procession until WGC were 8 down. Some lusty blows by ul-Islam put the celebrations on ice, before Majid (4-35) and Shiv (3-32) came back to finish the game with WGC all out for 130.

The Great Gaddesden game for the 3rds turned out to be a celebration to mark Matt’s departure to the USA with the man himself smashing 82 and Snehal 86 as the score reached 200/2 after 30 overs. Further contributions from Douggie and Stefan saw Ricky post a seasons-best 291/9. Gaurav gave almost everyone a bowl in reply and the wickets were shared around as GGCC struggled to 157/9 in their 40 overs. Ricky stay top.

The 4th XI had a strong team to play Kings Langley but a couple of turning points in the game meant their position at the top of the table was lost as we lost by just 16 runs. Dropped chances meant the KLCC opening pair scored 47; and then Ricky allowed the tail to bash 40 runs in the last 10 overs. In reply, no Ricky batter got going and 53/2 suddenly became 69/8. Josh and Neil put on 21 and Pras and Neil 20, but the run chase fell agonisingly close.

The 5ths also enjoyed a good game, losing by 4 wickets, with some excellent performances from the youngsters as usual.

On Sunday, our team, buoyed by a win last week, faced a target of 182. Moon, guesting from Batchworth, took 5 wickets. Rayyan (35) and Mustafa (32) started the reply superbly and then Owais with 38 and Ronesh (25) saw the team to a strong position where we won with 2 wickets to spare.