Rams back to Form
RamCC 172 for 5 (33 overs) RochCC 113 all out (29.2 overs)
Scorecard here
After two defeats to teams below them in the League, the second team headed to Rochdale looking to get back to winning ways. Rochdale occupied 8th place in the table whilst Ramsbottom sat in 5th. The earlier season game ended in a big win for the Rams by 8 wickets after chasing down 83 in less than 6 overs.
With rain forecast, Mark again lost the toss and Ramsbottom were invited to bat first. After the usual fast start by the Ramsbottom openers Rochdale turned to spin before rain came and the teams went off. The seven Ramsbottom fans and dog wondered if they would get back on. Fortunately after an hour the rain stopped and the teams returned with 12 overs lost. Nick and Mano were dismissed post rain break to leave Ramsbottom at 47 for 2. Mikey and Seb dug in and rebuilt the innings. On a difficult wicket with uneven bounce both Ramsbottom batters timed their innings to perfection with a partnership of 107 with Mikey was dismissed for 40 off 68 balls and Seb 57 off 74 balls. Ramsbottom finished on 172 for 5 from their 33 overs. Duckworth Lewis raised this to a target of 175 for the 12 overs lost. A home supporter thought this was enough but after recent experiences the Rams were not counting their chickens.
The players returned to the field entertained by a somewhat unusual wedding reception on site. Toby and Mano took an early wicket each but the Rochdale 3 and 4 batters looked comfortable scoring at over 5 an over before spinners Chris and Brad were brought into the attack. Chris soon took the key wickets of 3, 4 and 5 including a great catch for Ben Parky before his return to the US, to leave Rochdale 71 for 5. At the other end Brad then took the next four wickets including two catches by Charlie. Mano came on to claim the last wicket and Rochdale were out for 113 with Rammy winning by 61 runs. The win leaves Ramsbottom in 5th place with the top four all to play. Mano’s 2 wickets leaves him on 31 league wickets for the season, second in the league standings behind young Matt Hope at Lowerhouse.
Mano of the match nominations include Parky for his 2 victims, Mano for his 2 wickets, Chris for his 3 wickets, Brad for his 4 wickets and Mikey for his 40 runs. However my vote goes to 18 year old Seb for his great knock of 57.
Next Sunday 31 July the seconds are at home to Bacup.
Iain Round
