Ricky 2nd XI batters flourish against Bovingon

On a hot day, it was with some disappointment that Stefan lost the toss and Bovingdon said they would bat. Last time Ricky played on this ground, a score of 303 wasn't defendable, and now the boundaries were in and it looked inevitable a big score would be on the cards.

Bovingdon started like a train with experienced campaigners Buttleman and Blackburn quickly up to speed. Sure enough the ball raced to the boundary every 3 or so balls, and 60 was up, and Fizzler and Yashwin dispatched, before Buttleman was castled by a dipping ball by Ali Asghar Shah. Double-A was also limping heavily due to crashing into the sightscreen. However the screen was OK and Double-A was A-OK to bowl.

On the stroke of drinks, Blackburn who has lived a few lives played a drive to "Slow-death" Smith and was smartly taken at slip by that man AA. So often John gets the main batter out. Saffie now entered the fray and began to work his magic, keeping the score tight and grabbing wickets. The Bovvie players had told Ricky that 6 down was all out and so it proved. Some good catching and then a played on by superstar batter Khan meant Ricky were in control at 186/6. And the last few wickets added pennies as Billy (Bilal Hassan) bowled straight to grab two wickets and Slow Death removed 10 and 11 in successive balls to bring about an early finish on 208.

All-in-all a decent bowling performance with only 8 wides, though perhaps some better catching early and it might have been 50 less.

The batters were L.B.W. Maggi and young Yusuf. Bovingdon were 2nd bottom as their batters were also their bowlers and it was a shock when Yusuf edged his 3rd ball to the keeper, who caught the only thing that came his way all day. This brought the Bobmeister to the creases and he quickly assumed control. In the second shock of the day, Stefan wasnt given out LBW as he was caught for 26, but Ricky were now over 50 and had recorded a first 50 partnership. Ricky's youth policy continued with Bilal in next and he hit 2 boundaries in his first over. With Bobby at the other end it wasn't worth dabbing for quick singles. Meanwhile, Sir Bob carried on in his own style, chuntering away to himself and then smacking a 4 through cover point. Bovingdon knew they needed him out, but he wasn't going quietly. Bilal brught up the 50 partnership and them Bobby his half-century, before Billy got a low skidder that would have done for anyone but Tom Thumb. 116/3.

The Rizzler was in next and he smacked a handful of boundaries and seemed in a hurry before putting one into the safe hands of Blackburn. 131/4. And then strode out the Money man himself, Waheed, who Bovingdon had already seen score 90 in the previous game. And Waheed just played the numbers. Anything short he pounded to the boundary and anything full he defended. Bobby and he ran a few 2's. But mostly Bobby was also driving, cutting and pulling with power.

And then, in the blink of an eye, it was over. Ricky had batted so sensibly, taking all the time offered, to reach the winning score. Bobby's 87 off 102 balls was one of his most patient and marked a return to the pre-Covid form that we all know and love. Waheed hit 36 in 23 balls - well, that is what he does too! It will be interesting to see who has the best average out of those two by the end of the season.

After a poor mid-season, Ricky have now won 3 in a row and sit nicely behind the top two. With GPCC still to play Botany Bay, it's still possible for Ricky to finish 2nd. A 3rd place finish could also garner promotion, so winning the next games is vital in the push to get into the 7th tier for the first time in a long time. All to play for.