Ricky roll back the years and defeat Langlebury by 6 wickets

It was more like 2005 than 2019 as the Ricky team took to the park on Saturday. The whiff of Old Spice combined with Deep Heat made for a heady atmosphere as the creaking limbs could be heard from the Car Park. It was certainly more likely that bones would be broken rather than records, but with over 10000 runs and 500 wickets between them, this was not a Ricky team to be taken lightly.

After a quiet first over Andy Milner was quickly into his rhythm, with his second ball bouncing 3 times before colliding with the batsman's forward defensive. And then a miracle - the batsman pushed at the final ball and it popped up in the air where Rainey took a comfortable catch and Langlebury were 101. Ct Raine, Bowled Milner...probably for the 20th time this century! Andy went on to take another wicket as did both Callum and Ronesh as Langlebury were indebted to Grant and Eaton who both scored over 60. Extras also made a healthy contribution as Langlebury posted a competitive 170 odd.

Despite 40 overs in the field (where young Callum and not-so-young Ben Alnutt seemed to do most of the fielding) Ricky were keen to turn around and bat straight away. The tea had not arrived you see. So Ronesh and Lekshay, the least tired of the fielders, opened the batting and found things remarkably easy. Lekshay was out for 41 in an opening partnership of 80 and then Ronesh was out for a well-crafted, and at times belligerent 55. After youngster Prasanth was out for 15, this meant veterans, and great friends, Mark Raine and Ben Soames were at the crease. Ben struck 2 boundaries and Mark one very correct cover drive for 4, before he was given out LBW for 9. Had the umpire not read the script!!!! Hanuman came in and smashed 4 boundaries to finish the game, whilst Soapy carefully maintained his average with 9 not out.

The walk back from the top pitch was reminiscent of Napoleons infamous retreat from Leningrad. Very slow, with bags being dragged and tired bodies barely making it to the clubhouse. But make it they did. With 30 points in the bag. A job well done.