Bobby dazzles in big win for Ricky

The day started rather grey and rain was in the air, and on the ground, so it was disappointing to lose the toss, again, and be asked to bat. The advantage is always with the chasing side in curtailed games. But start we must and things went downhill as Paul cut a lifter straight into the midrift of first slip. Waheed and Bobby then played wonderfully until Waheed cut lose and was also caught at first slip, this time more by judgement than luck.

Talking of luck, the skippers poor run of form continued with his departure for one as he took a charge at the clever spinner, DD, however Kamran (20) and Bobby then repaired the innings putting on 51 for the 4th wicket. A score of 160/170 was now thought to be decent as the ball was holding up in the outfield, stopping boundaries and the wicket was still a little up and down with the damp getting on the surface. Ronesh was next in and only scored 1 but partnered for 11 and then Anwar only scored 2 but helped Ricky get to 130. Or should we say Bobby, as by now it had become a one-man show. When Owen was out first ball, Ricky were 130/7 and a score of 140 looked a way away. However young Billy finally found some form with the bat and scored 16 whilst Bobby supported and 155 was up. Tom got a shooter but again put on 7, whilst Brett and Bobby then compiled a further 20 for the last wicket before Brett was run out in the last over.

Note – Ricky batted the full number of overs available, less 1 ball, which really helped, and once the score had got past 130, it seemed to just keep rising. The benefits of patience was telling. And the longer we bat, the more extras that contribute. Though the keeper was excellent, he conceded 18 runs (or 10% of our score) by standing up the whole game, and the total of 34 extras made it to 2nd highest scorer. It all helps…

So 182, which on a dryer day would have been 210+. And a Wheathamstead team who were a little short of confidence having been skittled for under 100 the week before. What could Ricky produce?

Well one thing was pace and bounce with Tom Watson in the team and in his 2nd over he induced opener DD to glove one down the leg-side which Paul held onto. In his next over he bowled a straight one that crashed into the Wheato keepers pads and he was gone LBW. This was just the start Ricky needed and the whole team was lifted. Billy bowled the other opening bat and at 35 for 3 it was game on. The ball was thrown to Ronesh to weave his magic and the master didn’t let anyone down. Though the next 3 batsmen were determined not to get out and hit the 4 and over they still needed to win, Ronesh gave little away and the pressure kept building. The opposition skipper was next to go with a slider that bowled him middle stump, 71/4. And 5 an over was now needed. Keane was next out, to a smart stumping by Blackwell off Ronesh and then the number 6, who had already been dropped 3 times, was caught by Billy for 11. Bobby then crowned his day with a leaping catch close in, and Ronesh had finished his 10 overs with 4-17. What a crowd pleaser.

Bobby and Brett then set to work on the tail, and the 3 wickets fell in short succession, one a very sharp catch by Kasser in his midrift at short midwicket. And Ricky had a win by around 80 runs. Not only did this give the team a boost but it also propelled the green and gold into 3rd place in the table, with a match next week against a team than has yet to win a game. With a handful of players still not in form, there is still a lot of improvement to come for this team, but hopefully it will come when needed. In the meantime, the plaudits must go to Bobby for setting up a winning total and then the bowlers for finishing the job.

Kasser will announce MOM on facebook as usual.