Ricky held in check by Northwood despite Callum best figures

The Ricky 3rd/4th XI picked up a fixture against Northwood as Chorleywood were unable to raise a 3rd team, and were welcoming to the visitors who had a make-up of younger and more experienced players. And Ricky started with a bang, opening with 14 year old leg-spinner Callum Watson-Humphr
Eys who tore through the top order of Northwood with 5 for 35 in 7 overs. Catches were held and Northwood were 50 for 5. But then the stronger Northwood players came to the fore and wickets became at a premium. The Middlesex team finished on 176 for 8 which was a decent score on an April wicket.

Ricky’s reply was anchored by Trigger’s 34, which was a great start but did mean the other players had to bat well to make up the other 4 an over needed. At 66/2 Ricky were well placed, but the other players were unable to keep up the tempo required at the other end. Vishal, Adeel and Vijay all contributed but not with match-changing numbers and the game petered out with Callum getting bowled in the last over with almost 70 runs still required. If the game had continued like it did in the first hour, then Ricky would have beaten a similar 4th XI team, but Northwood were much too smart and experienced to let that happen and ran out worthy winners.