Frogs spurn Ricky attempts to win

Frogmore lost the toss and decided to put Ricky in on what looked like a decent track. However this soon proved to be to Rickmansworth’s advantage, as Paul and Mz put on 72 in the first 15 overs before Paul was caught at midwicket for 26. Things slowed down a little in the middle overs as Benn (24) and Maz made sure of a platform for the following batsmen to build on. After 31 overs Ricky were 132/2 and ready to push on. Waheed also found things harder going but managed to knock up 26 runs before going in the 45th over with the score on 206. Maz had already been bowled for a very solid 73 that anchored the innings with a scoring rate of 66%. Raz was already knocking the ball around nicely, but he was eclipsed by one of the Majid Khan cameos that usually changes a game. And certainly it did this one, as he clubbed 4 successive boundaries off the opening bowler, Blom, including 3 huge maximum’s that cleared the ropes with ease. Majid was batting more like Chris Gayle and finished on 51 whilst Raz was not out on a cracking 42 not out.

The final total of 263 for 5 was the highest the 2nd XI had scored since June 27th 2009, however with the wicket playing well and a quick outfield, Ricky knew it would be a tough fight.

The innings started well with Brett Harvey quickly into a rhythm and bowling Anstey for 7. Ayres and Wilson then took the score to 90 before Amit Pau got them both caught for 41 and 34 respectively. The number 5 bat slogged a few and caused a bot of upset when calling Amit a rather rude word. It was almost fisticuffs but he was out in the next over trying one slog too many and being caught behind. It then became the Duncan Fraser show. The ex-Botany Bay keeper was playing Championship Cricket last year, and his experience and skills showed in Division 7 as he raced onto a run-a-ball 70, keeping the scoring rate up with the clock. The Ricky bowlers stuck to their tasks and skipper Blackwell kept ringing the changes every couple of overs to control the run rate. Needing just 30 off the last 4 overs, Majid bowled Blom off stump and Captain Coker was caught off his bowling as well. However Fraser crashed a 6 off Majid as well and the final over was to be bowled by Raz, with just 7 needed and 3 wickets to go. Ricky were second favourites. But then the Golden Arm does what he does best and floated one up on middle stump, Fraser went for the big hit and Maz took a great catch in the deep. 6 now needed off 4. 2 scrambled singles and it was 3 needed off 2. But Raz just strayed a little wide and the Frogmore umpires arms were outstretched before the ball could bounce. The next ball was a beauty. Straight into the keepers pads and no run. Now Ricky had the game.

One run or less and Ricky win. 2 runs or more and Frogmore win. There is no draw. Raz bowls a sweet ball outside off stump which the batsman pushes into the covers and has already set off for a run. It is straight at a Ricky fielder. He just has to pick it up and walk the ball to the stumps and the game is won. But in a moment of madness the ball goes through his hands, no long barrier, no foot behind the ball…and the match is gone. The Frogmore batsmen gleefully accept the gift and chaos ensues as the pitch is invaded by the winning team. What a gift by Ricky. And probably one of the lowest moments on a Cricket field I had personally experienced.

Ricky had fought well, but ultimately every player could point to where they had surrendered one run at least. From not running hard between wickets to crazy overthrows to misfields. The loss was the teams, and we all felt it.

Next week normal service will be resumed against Ware. But for now the wound is deep and painful. We none of us want to feel that pain again.

And at the end of the day, the silver lining was that the 18 points gained pushed Ricky into 4th place. So still very much in touch with the top of the table.