Old Cams knock Ricky 2nds off top spot

In the first of many errors on the day, skipper Blackwell won the toss and decided to insert Old Cams, on the forecast of 100% rain at 3pm. With the first innings interrupted it seemed like the most sensible option. However, not for the first time, the weather reports were wrong and the rain came as late as 4pm, by which time the OC's 1st XI had racked up 230/6. And batting on after tea, the OC team eventually declared on 246/6.

Earlier, 16 year old Neel Kalkan, in his first match for Ricky, bowled a good line and length and induced an edge from opening bat Chin to take his first senior wicket in his 4th over (he already took 3 the previous evening for the Badgers). Although he came in for some tap later on, his figures were decent and the young man has a good future ahead of him in the Green and Gold. Phil Riddleston (2-56) and Majid Khan (3-64) shouldered most of the bowling responsibility and took the rest of the wickets. However, the errors continued with at least 4 catches being shelled, with both batsmen given 3 lives going onto 49 and 81 respectively. And with 24 wides (twenty four!) and 18 Byes, Ricky conceded almost a half-century in extras.

Amongst the good news was 2 good catches by Jiwan Soar and an allround fielding performance that was assisted by some youth and vitality. But Ricky's luck had deserted them today, and nothing else was going the teams way.

The reply started brightly enough and with 24 on the board, after 6 overs, Jeremy Riddleston feather a lifter to the keeper off Gravett Junior. 18 years old and with real pace, he went on to trouble all the batsmen. After a rain interruption, and with no Duckworth Lewis, Ricky faced the farcical situation of losing 8 overs, but have to still chase the same total. 5 an over suddenly became 6 an over. Raz and Jiwan both departed to balls which leapt off a length, as the OC's bowlers went to work on what was now a damp and lively pitch. Kamran played his old style of hitting out before missing a straight one, going for the leg side boundary and when Majid hit 2 successive 6's but holed out to mid-off trying it again, Ricky were mired 89 for 5 and the old ways had returned. This was definitely NOT the new Ricky 2nds who had won 4 games in a row through discipline and team structure.

Owen hit two 2's before a simple dismissal and Andy Bird hit one 4 and then got out the next ball. The game was descending into grand farce territory as Ricky batsmen tried to play like Buttler and Morgan, with perhaps a little less skill. Meanwhile 'Boycott' Blackwell was still dug-in at the other end, picking off the bad balls for one's and two's and rotating the strike. Young Neel had a cameo of 4 singles, all hit skywards, and at 111 for 8 it was just Lord nelson that was waiting expectantly.

Brett Harvey played some expansive shots and the OC fielders were for once put under pressure. A stand of 38 between Blackwell and Harvey was interrupted only twice, when Blackwell was struck some vicious blows on the upper body by the returning Gravett Junior. Bodyline had nothing on this, but Blackwell stood firm and went to his 50 with a legside push. Celebrations had hardly dies down when Harvey was bowled next ball, and when Phil Riddleston played a defensive shot and was given out LBW first ball, (a decision that would not be given by player on player 99 times out of 100) the Camdenians had won and Rickys brave defensive push had been in vain. Beaten by the rain, 8 overs, 97 runs and some decent bowling, Ricky should still feel aggrieved at giving away 5 wickets to the innocuous slow left arm of Fisher.

Congratulations to Harry Gravett the OC Captain on leading his team to victory. And more homework for the Ricky 2nds, if top place is to be recovered against another strong team, Watton at Stone, on Saturday coming.