Ramsbottom CC 2nd XI v Rochdale 2nd XI June 19th 2021
RochCC 204 for 9 (45 overs) RamCC 206 for 6 (42.5 overs)
Scorecard here
Under new captain Michael Howarth, the seconds faced a Rochdale team near the bottom of the league but showing recent improving form. Following two coin tosses, one with umpires and one without, Michael won the toss and put Rochdale in. With the first team collecting wicketkeepers, Sam Price took the gloves.
As ever the St Ubbins express, Birdy, steamed in and collected two early wickets but at the other end, Ryan, the Peel Brow Express pulled up after one wide with his poorly ankle and Tom Ireland stepped in to bowl 6 tidy overs. The Rochdale batters 3 and 4 dug in and cleverly collected the runs and at the half way stage with only 2 wickets down and over 110 on the board, the well supported locals were worried that the score could be well over 200.
With the introduction of Round minor and the very short legside boundary the Rochdale batter’s eyes lit up and they started to go arial. Two good catches from Toby and Round major stemmed the runs and when Ahmed was caught captain bowled JT for an excellent 80, Rammy hoped to limit the score to less than 200. Two slogged 6s in the last over brought Rochdale to 204 for 9 with Round minor taking 5 wickets and JT and Birdy 2 each . Sam Price was excellent behind the stumps with a catch and only a handful of byes.
Even after the best half time pitch preparation seen in many years, the 205 runs seemed a tough target.
After the early loss of Round major, Toby (15)and captain (29) put on 50 before both falling and leaving Rammy at 52 for 3. Owen Codge (31) and Sam (28) then batted sensibly to build the score but at 124 for 6 with both of them out alongside Ed Lee, few locals were putting their mortgages on a home victory. After some miraculous first aid treatment on his injured ankle, in walked Ryan to join the inform Jack Thomond with 5 runs an over still needed.
Taking good care of their wickets, running sensibly and hitting the bad ball for 4, JT and Ryan moved to a 50 partnership and then more. With the home support sensing victory and the screams of Janine Ireland getting louder after every run, JT (39 from 33 balls) and Ryan (41 from 42) took the team to victory with 2 overs to spare.
By Iain Round
Back by popular demand – Running Total of Extras Conceded* by
RCC 2nd XI 260
Opposition 2nd XIs 194
* 9 league & 1 Cup matches
