2nds potter to draw with PBCC III

Starting the game in 2nd place, Ricky fielded a strong team to try and keep the push on for promotion from Division 7. Out went Kasser, Marty, Amit and Joe and in came Brett, Jason, Owen and Raz.

Majid and Brett certainly bowled great lengths to begin with and Majid was rewarded by clean bowling Daley for 0 in the first over. However, with the PBCC umpires playing 20:20 wides rules, and some good running PBCC got up to 58 before Ricky took the 3rd wicket after 16 overs. just before a downpour. As against Bushey, this softer ball then enabled Sharma and Wallawitta to establish a strong 5th wicket partnership. In fact they put on over 100, with Ricky's change bowlers really not finding a line and length that troubled either of the big hitters. Jason, Waheed and Bobby all went for more than 7 an over and Potters Bar were up to 190 before the returning Brett Harvey got Walawitta bowled for 38. Maz was now on at the other end, but the Potters Bar batsmen continued to ride their luck and nick boundaries off every over. Sharma was finally caught for 107 by Kammy in the deep, and Maz grabbed 3-30 off 5 overs, but the tail had wagged and added enough to post 235 for 10.

Ricky had only dropped 1 or 2 catches but the batsmen played and missed at least 40 times, and once again the luck just wasn't with the Rickmansworth team. An early dismissal of either of Sharma and Wallawitta would have kept PBCC down to less than 160. One days Rickys luck will return.

Facing having to score at around 5.5 an over to win, Ricky's chances of forcing a positive result were probably no better than 20%, a basic error by the defensive PBCC Captain as he also posted between 4 and 5 fielders on the boundary from early in the reply. The tactics were clear - throw the ball up in the air and hope that Ricky got themselves out.

The Ricky reply faltered with Paul out early for the 2nd game in a row, playing onto his own stumps. A bitter pill after the PBCC had consistently inside edged past the stumps for no bowlers reward. Maz and Bobby then built a 60 partnership before Maz had to retire with a pulled muscle. The order changed slightly with Majid promoted to give the innings some impetus and his 15 enabled Ricky to reach 95 for 2 after half the overs. 140 needed off 126 balls and though Ricky had the platform, the run-rate was climbing.

Then tragedy as Raz nicked Sharma behind for a duck, and worse followed as Bobby top edged a sweep to get out on 59 - his 3rd half century in 5 innings. And Owen followed in the next over for 9 runs. A good debut for the youngster, bringing a good impetus in the field as well as with the bat. At 125/4, Maz re-entered the fray with a runner, and he and Kammy proceeded to add 48 for the next wicket - once again proving Ricky have an incredible batting depth this year. With 60 needed off 42 balls however, once again Ricky imploded with Maz caught in the deep for 58 and Kammy following next ball for 20. 173/7 and Ricky's chances of winning were taking a dive. However, under captains instructions, the intent was still there and Billy hit a great 6 and then a 2 before Dave Pett got him caught off a skier in the gully. 183/8 for 4 overs remaining and it was now time to play safe. Despite losing Brett Harvey, Waheed and Jason both played straight and sensibly to see Ricky to safety on 194/9. Well played lads.

The resulting substantial points tally kept Ricky in contention in 3rd place in the table. And a lot of pride from not giving in to defeat in such a fashion. Maz and Bobby batted very sensibly to set up a chance of a victory. It's never boring watching this team and it's certain that Ricky 2nds will be involved in the promotion shake-up at the end of the season.