U9: Radlett first team fall to rampant Ricky

Once again it was a beautiful evening on the Nursery ground at Ricky, with the outfield cut short and the boundaries set long. The parents gathered on the hallowed turf and battle commenced between two mid-table teams, with Radlett winning the toss and deciding to chase.

Stan and Ted batted sensibly and, despite losing a wicket to a crazy run out, looked in total command. Ted with 14 and Stanley Butcher with 4 were able to post a respectable 19 over their first 4 overs. Hamza Shehabi and Reino Schutz were next in, and Hamza looked to emulate his Dad's century for the 1st XI a few days ago, but fell just short on 11 (not out!). Reino was bowled trying to pull a ball off middle stump, but still their partnership was worth 16. Ricky were onto 235 and well placed.

next in were Clayton, playing his first A team game and Eshan. Class mates and good buddies they were not always in tune with each other on the calling, but managed to get by. Clayton was great at deflections on the off side, whilst Eshan finished with the shot of the day as he drilled a skimmer through mid-wickets for 4. 24 was garnered off their batting and Ricky were now set up nicely. Kian Sawhney and Aman Babber also batted well, losing their wicket just once. But in the process racking up 16 runs as well. And so every pair contributed. That is what we all love about this team - win or lose, they all pull together.

Radlett also chose to only have 2 boys bowl an over each. Not a tactic RCC would approve of.

Now Ricky had to field well and bowl tight. And this they did. To sum up the bowling, all the boys kept it tight to the wickets, bowling only 9 wides. This was an amazing feat. The Radlett team never got near the 4 an over they needed and after the first pair, they conceeded wickets at regular intervals. Hamza got 2 wickets, and Reino one. Clayton also got two wickets and Kian did as well - both caught and bowled. Our catching was amazing with Kian taking 3 in total, Stanley taking a skier in the deep and Ted also catching one. Despite a late flurry, of 22 off the last 3 overs, Ricky ran out easy winners.

Every boy played their part and scored runs or took wickets or, crucially, bowled straight. The crowd thoroughly enjoyed the evening, especially beating Radlett who are one of the top 3 sides in the County at senior level. Well done the Under Nines.