Disapppointing Rams 2nd lose to Enfield
ECC 184 for 8 (45 overs) RCC 148 all out (36.2 overs)
Scorecard here and recording of livestream here
Ramsbottom second team faced 6th place Enfield at home on Saturday 16 July looking to get back to winning ways after the previous week’s loss to lowly Colne. On a beautiful day with a good crowd boosted by the Ramsbottom United v AFC Bury game next door, returning captain Mark Dentith lost the toss and Enfield batted first. The Enfield openers included captain O’Farrell who is one of the highest run scorers in the league so an early wicket was needed. Unfortunately this didn’t happen and O’Farrell and his colleague Jones batted well with plenty of aggression whilst only giving out one or two difficult half chances. A change to spin did not have the required effect until both openers were dismissed by Brad Wilson in their forties. At 119 for 2 with plenty of overs left a big score looked on the cards. With a long tail the Enfield number 3 dug in and the scoring rate declined. The returning Mano took 4 wickets and Toby one leaving Enfield 184 for 8 at the close of the innings including one run out. This included 26 wides.
Even with the pitch slowing down this looked an eminently chaseable total. The Ramsbottom innings started with the usual Mano flourish before two quick wickets left Ramsbottom 28 for 2. The Enfield bowlers continued to bowl very straight and were rewarded with 3 more wickets to leave Ramsbottom 54 for 5. Charlie Hamilton was batting well but wickets feel regularly at the other end including Ryan Storer with the second highest score of 24. When Charlie was out for 44 the innings soon finished on 148 all out with 9 overs left and a defeat by 36 runs.
Less than usual choices for man of the match but in second place Mano with 4 wickets but my man of the Charlie with 44 runs.
Ramsbottom move down to 5th in the league and travel to 9 th place Rochdale on Saturday 23 July.
Iain Round
