Match Reports 2017

Match Report RTCC v Rainmen 2017

Sunday 23rd April 2017

at Ferme Park (Time Game)

RTCC 308-9

Rainmen 309-5

Rainmen won by 5 wickets

It was a lovely day in the sun against the Rainmen and Andy Morse's son. Really Andy Morse's son Joe and the Rainmen.

We were given the only option of have a bat first and it being a time match. The captains agreed so we went out to bat.

Andy the groundskeeper had produced a pitch with some bounce and some movement early on. It being a day of Andys I decided on opening with Andy James. Please note that Andy Pacey sent a what's app later in the day. He asked if the skipper had scored 200? These Andys really know me!

The Raimen's opening bowlers Neil Pool and Craft were dispatched to all parts but as we know it's a very small ground and ten an over is not outrageous scoring but like Mr Kiplings cakes It was exceedingly good (fun). The very short boundary down hill and square were peppered. Andy kept the skipper on strike with a diet of constant singles and Gorged on the French fancy. We may have found an opening Andy to replace our Andy Pacey at the top of the order.

The Rainmen then brought on Andy Morses son. 17 years old and just come back from 6 months in Australia playing cricket. He bowled quick off a five yard run up, all arm action. I felt old and very grateful that Andy was facing. I used to play cricket with his father 15-20 years ago .

Joe bowled predominantly in swing and moved it off the seam. Of course Mr James who loves a bit of pace on the ball and my word he tells all and sundry, I love a bit of pace on the ball, son. And the run rate did not really drop much below the 10 runs and over.

We had drinks and the skipper announced that he wanted 300 for the team and 200 himself. We would bat the entire time allocated. There was a smattering of laughter. Disbelief from the tavs no one would ever believe it! Yes of little faith!

The the skipper was bowled off his front leg for 141. Out latest number three came in and asked the skipper for instructions. He was told to swing the bat as we wanted 300. Dom batted as well as I've seen him bat. Lovely sweeps for four and a delightful lofted cover drive were the highlights. Meanwhile Andy James batted on until he played across a straight one and was given out lbw for 45. He Should have played straight rather than hitting across the line. However he had battered for sometime and the score board looked healthy.

Joe Dunne can in at four. His gray Nichols scoop from the eighties in hand pulled from his 1880's leather suitcase. He had a quick look and then smashed a straight six into the road another boundary followed before he too was gone for a dramatic 15.

Dom carried on till 47 and then he too fell, caught by Pool off Fenton.

Everyone gave it a thrash and we lost wickets fast but got to 308 for nine. Cliff Allen taking three for 23 from his 7 overs. Greg went for 0 trying to swing a straight one to leg. Chris hit one straight to russell at long off. Tom missed a straight one trying to pull it to leg. Guy and Martin were left standing after aj hit his second ball hard driving to Andy morse. He always plays himself in that lad.

Guy opened the bowling from the top end and Andy's son Joe went after him. He changed to round the wicket, this helped, his five over spell went for 53 which was good thinking as his first over went for twenty.

Greg charged up the hill. Simon the other opener was dropped by the skipper diving to his right off Greg and then again off Guy. Andy James later said his 87 year old mother would have caught it. It was a dolly. The easiest catch the skipper has ever dropped Andy s mum probably would have caught it. Greg would eventually finish with 9 over none for 43 great stats in the circumstances.

Tom bowled down the hill 8 overs for 48 runs. He's vastly improved from the pie thrower of last year. His slower balls out the back of his hand ( with the seam up) show a good return for all his effort in the nets. His pace is also up. The skipper noted no half volleys at all.

Matthias bowled three over for 19 a good start to the season for our leg spinner. The areas he pitched the ball were good and if we take our catches and stumpings this could be a bountiful season for our german equivalent of Shane Warne. Even the fearless Joe Morse gave him some respect. The spinning cupboard looks as full as it has been since the days of the legendary Cie with Dom not getting a bowl but the turn he showed in the nets has been noted.

The Barmey evening continued. Unit appear on his bike. It was nice to see him. He was twelfth man for the team, I believe one of the other all rounders cracked the nod due to total nets attended. ( its like missing out on net run rate, but of course if it was net run rate the unit would have been in with a better shout).

Andy rose even turned said he fancied playing 20/20 and the odd Sunday. He wants to be included on the mailing list!

We struggled to keep the run rate down as Joe morse continued on his way to 184. He was eventually caught by Greg beautifully on the deep mid wicket boundary. The skipper should have given Matthias more of a bowl against him.

Rose was run out before Russel was bowled by Joe Dunn . We were taking wickets but couldn't slow the run rate. Even with Martin bowling a beautiful spell of 4 over for 26 and big Andy charging down the hill for 6 overs for 55. In the end the morse father and son team were too much for the tavs . Andy Morse finished not out 47. We lost in the last over.

We all went back from to the railway to meet the owner Nick ( lovely man) who had provided a spread that was fit for a king and a cricket team. We had steak sandwiches, salad and chips and chatted it all through over a few jars. There were mistakes, even errors but what is clear to me is that we have a good strong team, made up of good fun people and we are going to have a good year on and off the pitch.

Play straight! hit it hard! The skipper