2nds back on track

Put into bat on a pitch that generally plays pretty well, Ricky 2nds were quickly in trouble, losing both openers and the score on just 35. However a very confident and assured knock by Shammi, who put on 50 in the company of Bobby (25) gave the team a rare ‘steady start’. The runs continued to flow when little Shammi joined the legendary Shammi at the crease and it was a shame to lose Shammi for 68 with the score on 147/4. Again, Ricky have collapsed from that position before, but not with Harvey in next. Defence was thrown out of the window as first Harvey and Shammi Jnr, and then Harvey and Yusuf Khan set about putting the game out of reach. Harvey struck 39 off just 13 scoring shots and within 5 overs the score was rocketing past 200.

Yusuf stayed at the crease chasing 1’s and 2’s whilst the usual lower order collapse was given a jolt when Yash struck 2 huge maximums to take the team up to 269 with 9 balls still to go. Ricky’s highest score of the season.

The Watton reply started well, helped by some profligate early bowling, and it looked like 269 might not be enough. This a ground where 580 runs were shared by these teams 6 years ago. Yusuf enticed the dangerous Ansell into a back-leg LBW and then Bobby’s swing did for Williams, caught by Stefan behind.

Rob Burnell looked destined for a ton before Lil-Shammi enticed him to put one in the air for the safe hands of Yash to cling onto. But still the batsmen kept coming. All 7 of the top order got in and played well. They know their track. But, what often happens with these limited over games is that the runs on the board start to take their toll. Although batters 3-7 scored 104 runs between them, only 9 boundaries (36 runs) were struck and the rate was much too low. Shammi and Harvey (now bowling spin) kept a firm lid on proceedings for 12 overs.

Inteshaam was the pick of the middle overs taking 3-38 off his 10 overs. The Watton batters preferred their bowling with a bit of pace. Needing around 60 off the last 10 overs, 5 wickets down, Harvey then turned to pace to dismiss the stubborn Connolly, and to bowl Powell. 30 now needed off 3 overs and suddenly WOS had played themselves out of the game. With 11 needed off the final over, Yusuf took a wicket first ball and then produced 2 dots. The WOS batters didn’t seem concerned and settled for defeat.

With 20 points for the losers and 30 points for the winners, the loss didn’t hurt them so much, but a victory by 8 runs was a very close finish in the end.

Another couple of wins and maybe Ricky 2nd s can put relegation fears behind them.