Match Report Ramsbottom 1st XI v Middleton 1st XI – 5th June 2022
MCC 67 all out (35.3 overs) RCC 68 for 2 (11.3 overs)
Scorecard here and recording of livestream here
Rams beat weather to secure vital win
With Ramsbottom at last being able to turn out a near full strength squad the morning rain looked likely to frustrate us. Fortunately approximately 40 minutes before play was due to commence it cleared up and an on time start was possible.
The next bit of luck came our way when the Middleton skipper made the wrong call at the toss and Grimmy had no hesitation in asking the opposition to take first knock with overcast conditions appearing in favour of the bowlers.
Thus far this season our bowling has been somewhat inconsistent and we were coming off a poor performance in the 20:20 game against Crompton. However, we seemed to get it right from the word go with Grimmy and Jake putting it on the spot and with Jake in particular getting a lot of movement and bounce which earned him praise from the umpire after the game.
Middleton were quickly reduced to 10 for 4 with both bowlers picking up a brace. However Middleton’s pro Price was still at the wicket and together with Tierney they were able to progress the score and induce a double bowling change bringing our pro Sen and Josh into the attack. This paid immediate dividends when Tierney had a rush of blood and charged down the track at Sen only to miss the ball and be stumped by the proverbial mile.
Six runs later Josh produced a beauty which bowled Price and the Rams were well and truly in the driving seat. The Middleton tail then struggled against our spinners and it was left for Sen to mop up the last four wickets as the opposition were dismissed for 67.
During the interval all our eyes were on the skies but the rain thankfully kept away. Our start did not get off too well as Tom Parton chased a ball which would have probably been called wide if left and was caught at slip. Skipper Grimmy then joined JD at the wicket and after both batsmen got their eye in they started to attack the opposition bowling with Grimmy being the main protagonist.
Runs flowed freely with some fine strokes being played, the best being an effortless six over the midwicket boundary as we homed in on the opposition total. With only four runs required our skipper was trapped LBW for a quick fire match winning 47. Two balls later Sen hit the winning boundary leaving JD on 15 not out having played a pivotal role in our success.
Some 25 minutes later the rain came in force and it turned out that we were only one of two games to complete.
The most pleasing aspect of this win was that we looked up for it. That there will be more severe tests to come there is no doubt but if we can keep a settled side for the League and Worsley Cup games I am sure we can hold our own against anybody.
Amateur Man of the Match – Grimmy.
