2nds win first limited overs game

Having won the toss Weston started very solidly and looked to be building a decent platform from which to spring forwards. Naeem and Brett couldn't make a breakthrough and though Raz induced 3 chances from the batsmen, all were spilled and at 68 without loss, in the 20th over, things looked grim for the 2nd XI skipper. However young Bilal bowled a fast hostile spell of quick bowling that sent the Weston team reeling. A fine edge to dismiss the openor Fursland, followe by a beauty that bowled Richards round his legs. And then to top it all, ex-Premier player, and captain Will Pugh, was invited to edge one to Cooper behind the stumps and 68/0 became 90/3.

At the other end Ronesh Nathwani began once again to weave his magic with over after over of left arm spin that deceived every batsman who faced it. Before they knew it, Weston were in trouble at 91/6. After 4 overs Ronesh was 3-3. Suddenly the Ricky fielders were 100% better and at 115 for 8, it seemed an early finish might ensue. However another twist was to come. No 8, Bennett, farmed the strike wonderfully and kept up a scoring rate of one boundary and a single off every over taking him to a superb 45, until Ronesh bowled him. He scored 45 of the last 49 runs, and numbers 6,7, 9 and 10 didn't score a single run.

The Ricky heroes were Bilal with 3-21 who started the collapse and Ronesh who finished it with an amazing 6-18. His best figures for Rickmansworth.

Needing to score at exactly 3 an over to win,. the Ricky reply needed to be controlled and safe, and Adeel (11) and Paul (15) built a solid platform before both being given out LBW. Suddenly with Ed Manning and Raz both going for 5 each, the reply looked to be faltering. Dave Cooper threw his wicket away somewhat and suddenly, from being the masters of the game, Ricky were 48/5 and up against it. With Kamran playing a rare holding role at one end, knowing that 3 an over was still the target, when Ronesh went for 10, skipper Blackwell gambled and promoted Bilal to give the innings some impetus. And for once the gamble worked, with 23 coming in the next 5 overs to take the target below 3 runs for the first time. Kamran departed on 103 for 18, failing to clear the infield, and once again the game was flipped on its head. However then came the match defining partnership from Waheed Mahroof and Naeem Khan. They worked the ones and two's, ran hard, and clipped the occasional 4 to keep notching down the runs required a few at a time. 110 came, the 120, then 130 and for the first time it looked like Ricky might just make it home. 140 arrived and now we were down to single figures. And then, the unthinkable. In trying to hit a straight 4 to win the game, Waheed hit it back to premier player Pugh, and Ricky were on the brink needing 4 to win and just Brett Harvey to come.

Naeem had no such qualms and calmly smacked the next ball at the other end for a sprinted 2 and then with a no ball and a run, Ricky were home to jubilant scenes.

Who would have thought the 2nd team would have 50% of the wins they got in the whole of last year already. All down to some wonderful bowling and a structured approach to batting - oh and the calmness of Naeem and Waheed. A great day, savoured by all who took part.