U9 : Rickmansworth cruise past West Herts for first win

On a balmy Summer evening, the Ricky U9's took on local rivals West Herts in our first ever game at this age group. A few of the boys, Hamza, Kian, Reino had played before, but this was really breaking new ground.

The Club looked a picture with 2 matches going on and 16 boys in the nets with Vernon. It wasnt just the weather that looked bright.

Kian and Eshan opened the batting and scored well, as well as cautiously, though Kian was out once. However 24 was on the board after 4 which was a great start. Wilf and Finlay found going a little harder but picked up a few singles and some 2's and despite losing two wickets, were proud of the 18 they added. Then Stanley and Ted came in to up thye ante and Ted hit our second boundary. With 11 runs he was our top scorer and better yet, the boys didnt lose a single wicket. Great performance and 18 more added. Then came Hamza and Reino, whose innings started disastrously with Hamze getting out twice in the first 3 balls. However they recovered well and took 15 off the 3rd last over to finish on a partnership of 24. Everyone contributed and the steady scoring rate meant that we had posted an above average 284 (that's 109 runs less the 25 for losing 5 wickets)

Now for our weaker suit. Or so we thought as the boys bowling can be a little wayward at times. And the WHCC boys looked to be well coached to not give away their wickets. Hamza and Reino opened the bowling and Reino got a wicket, however after 4 overs WHCC were on 24. They were up with the rate, and two of our best bowlers used up. However Kian and Wilf combined to put the strange on the West Herts middle order. Kian got a wicket and also bowled an over with just one wide in it. Just 15 runs came off that pair (only 1 run from the bat) and West Herts were on 39. It was still nip and tuck.

Stanley and Ted needed to bowl well and they did, but just a few too many wides were conceded. Five wides each was on the cusp. More work needed by the coach in the weeks to come. But once again, only 2 runs off the bat. The boys fielding was making up for the lack of direction. At the end of 6 overs WHCC were on 59 and therefore needed 26 off of Finlay and Eshan. That would be 13 wides at worst. How would it go ? Finlay started with two straight ones and then a wide and then...a WICKET! That was -5 and plenty to do for WHCC. and better still (or at least equal to it) Eshan took a wicket with his last ball of his first over to set WHCC further back. There was no way they could score 27 off two overs and so it proved with Ricky romping to victory. Eshan ended up with a net of 0 conceded. and Finlay just 7.

A big shout out to all the boys for their efforts. And the supporters, who sometimes could be heard from Watford! And also to Taz and Alex for scoring and umpiring. It's a great start to the season. Top of the League...