2nd XI v Northwood Town Cricket Club

After last weeks disappointing result against Chorleywood, it seemed that Rickmansworth 2nds were facing an even harder challenge taking on a Northwood Town XI that included 6 of their 1st XI from last year, who are 8 Divisions above us in the table. Skipper Paul Blackwell again chose to enter the game with two youngsters, Jack and Alex Lee, to give them a baptism of fire before the league begins next week.

Majid Khan and Jack Lee opened the bowling and within 3 balls Majid had got one to jag back in to prolific opener Mekwan and clip his off stump. 0-1. Jack also bowled a tight line and was rewarded when Ramawat drove a low full toss to Raz at mid-on. And it was now 10-2. Patel and skipper Kyle Lawrence set about rebuilding a decent strat and too the score up to 39 before Bobby again induced a false shot from a full toss and had him caught bay Raz in exactly the same way. Young Billy Mohammed was on at the other end and all 4 bowlers used so far were impressing with tight lines and keeping the ball pitched up. After 20 overs there was just 59 on the board. And amazingly just 2 leg side boundaries. A change again in the bowling saw Maz open up from the Park Road end, and after a couple of gentle deliveries, he was hitting his straps and bowling as quickly as he was back in 2013. What a difference a fit Maz Shah will make to this team. Maz bowled no.6 Edgar, going for a hoike to leg, meanwhile Raz bowled tightly at the other end but with no success. Young Alex Lee then took up the bowling and showed what a talent he has, taking 1-5 in 4 overs with the wicket of Wanger who had scored 20 in 14 overs whilst trying to keep the batting together. And then in a final twist, Waheed was given a couple of overs to have a run out and ended with two wickets for 7, whilst Majid returned to mop up the tail. He finished with best figures of 6-2-12-3. Raz Khan and Jack Lee both took 2 catches each. The team as a whole performed well in the field which bodes well for the league season to come.

In the reply, skipper Blackwell was unfortunate to get a ball that jagged a long way back to take out middle stump, and just like when Ricky bowled, the new ball was doing quite a bit on a softer April surface. Raz hit a glorious back drive for 4, before being castled by left armer Malik, however Maz was getting a good stride in and not looking in any trouble at the other end. Now for Alex Lee to enter the fray. Only recently 15, he looked like a left-handed Joe Root striding to the middle and he quickly settled against an attack which opened against Rickmansworth 1st XI back in August. But fresh from his 20 last week, Alex played with a firm defence and some nice pushes for singles on both sides of the wicket. He and Maz pushed Ricky into a position where a loss was not possible, reaching 68/3 at drinks.

After drinks, Maz unleashed a series of boundaries, including 3 powerful 6's to bring up his 50. Amazingly this was only his 3rd half-century in the last 5 years. A reflection on what the club has been missing all this time. Indeed on reaching the landmark, Maz retired as he was struggling with a calf injury. Hopefully just a precaution. Alex however continued on his merry way, and though he rode his luck on occasion (what Cricketer hasn't) being dropped 3 or 4 times, he was able to hit the winning runs and finish on 32 not out. Ricky reached their target of 111 for the loss of 3 wickets and showed that hopefully, with youth and experience on our side, we can make inroads into the league in the next few weeks.

Next week it is Bushey at home.