Once again, Ricky 5ths started the game with a couple of players making their debut. Playing on a lovely day with views of the lake and the Abbey in the distance, as well as the 2000 year old Roman walls. Rumours that the writer of the piece remembers it being first built are a little wide of the mark. It was a wonderful day for a game of Cricket. Brothers Hitamsch and Hinmesh open the batting and both were dismissed without scoring, bringing Paul and Ali to the wicket. Ali scored 19 in a recovery partnership of 50.

Danny Amaan and Freddie though departed for a total of just one run and Ricky were 65 for six. The captains inning was needed and Paul, with good support from Josh, 23, went on to score 65 in the final total of 142. 14 year old Harish ended with 12 not out and batted magnificently. Then most of the team decamped to the ice-cream van for a special kind of Cricket tea. .

With Ball in hand, Harish was equally unplayable and surely put himself in contention for a game in the league teams in the weeks to come. He bowls left arm over with good control and accuracy and took the middle stump of both of the opening batsmen with searing inswing. Genesis rallied but on each occasion the changing bowlers were able to pick up wickets with Himnesh picking up two for 19 and Josh one for 24. Ali Shah also bowled well with 2-22 and as always, all the players were involved .

At one point, Rickmansworth had a sniff of a chance with Genesis eight down and still needing seven runs but the Home team managed to sneak home. Good game, good company, good venue. We go again.