Dropped Catches Lose Matches

RCC 308 for 6 (45 overs) CCC 314 for 7 (43.4 overs)

Scorecard here

On Saturday the second team headed up to Colne looking to avenge their early season home defeat to the same opposition. Preparations were disrupted by the early morning pull out of the two Ramsbottom spinners (see later). Thanks to Jack H and George L for stepping in at short notice.

In Mark Dentith’s absence, captain Nick Round again won the toss and elected to bat on a sunny day but on an end wicket with one short boundary.  Mano started his innings by playing out a maiden before reverting to type with some big six hits all around the ground.  Nick at the other end batted with his usual finesse punishing the bad ball on a fast outfield.  The scoring rate was close to 9 an over until Mano was dismissed for 59 off 41 balls ( 5 sixes and 5 fours) at a team score of 90. Two other wickets followed shortly which brought Seb to join Nick at 122 for 3. Nick soon reached 50 and after a slow start Seb soon started striking boundaries. Runs came freely and Nick brought up his third second team century and Seb reached 50. After a stand of 175 runs Seb was dismissed for an excellent 78 off 62 balls with 6 fours and 5 sixes. Nick was finally out in the last over for 121 off 130 balls with 8 fours. The innings finished on 308 for 6 off 45 overs.  

The Colne captain Martin Kegg pushed himself up the order to open the batting. His partner was soon dismissed by Mano which brought Luke Bentley to the wicket to anchor the run chase. The Colne captain attacked the Ramsbottom bowlers before being dismissed for 50 off 48 balls. He was dropped three times amongst 6 drops in the first 10 overs. With Bentley anchoring the innings the Colne batters continued to attack the Ramsbottom bowlers, a number of whom had not bowled for weeks but were needed due to the missing spinners. The scoring rate continued at over 7 an over despite two wickets in 2 balls from Seb.  With 8 an over needed Mitesh Desai came to the wicket at 251 for 7 and smashed 48 not out off 27 balls making use of the short boundary. The Rambottom total was passed in the last but one over with Luke Bentley finishing the innings on 97 not out after being dropped on 2.  

Man of the match nominations include Mano for his 50, Ben Parky for his 4 catches, Toby for being the pick of the bowling attack, Seb for his 2 wickets and 78 runs but my vote goes to Nick Round for his 121.  

Ramsbottom remain 4th in the league with Enfield at home on Saturday 16 July.    

Iain Round