After being relegated in the last game of the season by Watford Town, Rickmansworth 1sts had a point to prove on Saturday in an attempt to show that this year will be different. Town started very aggressively with 12 off the 1st over and at 63 for one looked to be cruising to a big total. However, Harvey applied the brakes with some tight bowling before the spinners could get into their work and Azeem and Taz help to bowl Watford town out for disappointing 162

On paper this didn't seem like a big enough total and so it proved with Rameez crashing 12 boundaries in a total of 64 off just 46 balls. A short cameo from Vivek was followed by a hugely professional 47* by Matthew Allsop and it was left to the tail to knock off the required runs in around half the overs available including an assured 19 by Tom McWilliam. Tougher challenges to come no doubt.

The 2nd X1 were blindsided by a Watford Town side who felt entitled enough to turn up with 12 players and insist that the 12th man, who happened to also represent England over 50s, should play a full part in the game. Sure enough, he scored a half-century when it looked like they may struggle to reach 180 and whilst the bowlers toiled only Charlie Adamson was able to get more than one wicket. 227 was a testament to the quality of the pitch prepared by the groundsman and although Ricky started well with 30 for Bobby and double figures for the next 4 batsman, the last 4 batters couldn't score a run between them as Ricky capitulated on 141 all out.

The 3rd XI had an exciting game with Sunny Kumar scoring 37 in a total of 165 in 40 overs. Captain Waheed top-score with 38. However the bowling was unable to slow down a WTCC side consisting of a number of veteran performers who scooted along to their target with wickets and overs in hand.

The 4th XI also looked handily placed chasing 177 to win, when, with the score at 137 for 6, the rain curtailed the match. 2 wickets each for Sami and Vikram and a battling combined 56 by the Austin’s were the highlights reel.