Must win game goes the way of bold Rickmansworth 2nds

With games running out, Rickmansworth 2nds needed to win against Abbots Langley and also keep the runs and wickets down, in order to stretch a lead. The first item was achieved handsomely with some great batting and bowling. However the loss of late wickets and conceding too many runs towards the end of the Abbots innings, means Ricky remain on a knife-edge going into the last 2 games of the season. We really do need to improve our game management if we survive this season.

The batting innings was indebted to young Shammi whose 73 in 28 overs was the mainstay of a magnificent 210 in just 32 overs. Remember this is the same team who struggled to score 100 in our first 3 games of the season – that seems a long way away now. Playing with freedom, Harvey, 20 and Waheed, 37, helped anchor the innings and make sure we took maximum batting points.

Abbots were not really confident of reaching the total that would secure their safety in the division, especially when Yusuf took out keeper Jack Bishop for just 9. A very dangerous player back in the hutch. Yusuf has a good habit of getting the better batsmen out. Harvey was held back until the halfway point, but when he came on he tidied up the middle order, bowling Gurney and Watson, which left Gokani on his own to score a half-century before being given out on 52.

With the chance to establish a good points lead on Abbots, the control was loosened and Harvey and Tahir and Shammi all left with overs to spare, whilst the Abbots team could comfortably get more batting points to take them to the same points as Rickmansworth.

A good win, a necessary win, but still lots of work to do and Ricky must win at least one, and maybe two, of the remaining games in order to avoid relegation.