Being top of the table can be a blessing and a curse. In effect, you have to win every game, every week, or face losing out on top spot and promotion. And so it was on Saturday for Rcky 3rds facing Watford Town.

Batting first on the kind of wicket and outfield the team have got used to this season, it was hard going from the off and runs were hard to come by. Vishal and Doug departed early and it was left to Rohan Lee (16) and Ubaid Hassan (14) to stay with Ali Abbasi who kept the run rate going with a fluent 36. Valuable contributions, although small, were made by the rest of the batters and a final score of 130 was probably just above par.

Ricky had an ace up their sleeve in Tom Watson who usually demolishes teams on the top pitch and so it proved again. Stumps were quickly flying in all directions as Tom took 4-21. It was brutal to watch. Syam also got 3-15 as only 3 Town players made double-figures. Watford Town all out for 80 and Ricky 3rds march on. 5 games to go and 5 wins is the target.