Rickmansworth 4ths reduce Redbourn to also-rans

With a strong bowling attack at his disposal the skipper decided on a change of tactic and inserted the opposition having won the toss for the 3rd week in a row. Rushil arrived at the match just in time to open the bowling with Jack Lee. With the pitch offering the bowlers assistance the first wicket arrived in the 3rd over when Rushil bowled Jackson. The 2nd wicket followed quickly as Rushil induced a top edge which looped to Mick at slip. 5/2 became 6/3 as Ferrin was run out attempting a suicidal 2nd to Rory at backward square leg who returned the ball to the vicinity of the stumps and the skipper had the bails off in a flash. The resistance of Smyth (11) was ended when he tried to pull a length ball on off stump and was comprehensively bowled by Jack (1-12 off 5). Rushil (4-20 off 6) then removed Copashard thanks to a fine catch by Alex Lee running back from mid off. Simon Emmins was providing Redbourn sole resistance from the number 6 spot and batted through for an unbeaten 22. Alex Lee and Joe Monk came on to bowl and the youngsters carried on where the opening bowlers had left off. Joe produced the ball of the innings with his first delivery around the wicket which swung appreciable before cannoning into the left handers off stump. Alex (2-11 off 5) then had the Redbourn captain plumb LBW with a ball that nipped back off the seam. The final wicket of the innings fell in exactly the same way. In between Joe (1-24 off 5) bowled the Redbourn number 10. A superb bowling performance left Redbourn all out for 70.

The Rickmansworth innings got off to a sticky start with the slippery Williams and Luckhurst opening the bowling. Luckhurst bowled a tight line and offered few scoring opportunities. In the 7th over Emmins replaced Williams and the batsmen were finding it difficult to lay bat on ball. Rory was then bowled by Luckhurst off an inside edge, Neil then departed the following ball which apparently moved extravagantly. Jaimin was then undone by more movement from the pitch to leave Rickmansworth 20/3. Jack joined Matt at the crease fresh from his heroics of the previous week and they set about establishing a partnership. Jack looked to put bat to ball whenever possible and once the opening bowlers had been seen off Matt began to find his timing and was able to get the bowling away for runs and the odd boundary. Jack’s aggression saw the field drop a little deeper as the partnership built. It was not easy but slowly but surely the runs were knocked off with Jack finishing on 14 not out and Matt 38 not out.

Back to back wins for the 4th team has seen the 4s move up the table into 5th place in the division. The victory was set up by an excellent bowling performance which was backed up by committed fielding. The 4ths next fixture is away at Shenley Village.