Match Reports 2017

Match Report RTCC v Royal Sovereign 2017

Sunday 21st May 2017

at North Middlesex (35 overs)

Sovereign 199-9

RTCC 144

Royal Sovereign won by 55 runs

Although it was a loss for the Tavs this week, it was a great afternoon thanks to the superb weather, really friendly oppo and the successful debuts of 2 new recruits!

We were back at North Mid for the first time this season, and despite the rain earlier in the week, the ground was looking lovely as always. Some hardcore Tavs (some may say too enthusiastic!) turned up an hour and a half before kick off for a net. Our two new recruits Dave and John joined us and both looked in good nick despite some inevitable ring rust that comes from being out of the game for a few years. There wasn't a cloud in the sky, which was perfect for cricket - however, the baking sun wasn't so great for your vice captain's acute hangover...

Royal Sovereign were a brand new oppo for us so we didn't quite know what to expect, although as an associate of Shakespeare XI (who thumped us last season) we suspected that they might be decent. They turned up in dribs and drabs, so your skip generously let them bat first to give their stragglers a chance to turn up later. As we had to start late we agreed to a 35 over match.

The alliterative combo of Guy and Greg opened up the bowling. We soon realised that although the wicket was in as good a state as possible, the rain had left it a bit dead - anything a little short ended up turning into a bit of a long hop, with Soveriegn's leftie opener capitalising with some lovely pulls. Guy soon adjusted and put in a lovely spell on a great line and fuller length, getting 2 maidens in a row (one of them a wicket maiden to get out the leftie) and finishing with great figures of 1-29 off the full 7.

Matthias and Barrie came on for the openers and although the runs weren't flowing massively, the other opener and number 3 were looking well set. Dom came on for 1 over to facilitate a change of ends for Matthias and this was the catalyst for some wickets - Dom getting a caught behind off his first ball (I won't mention the drop behind off the same batsman a few overs earlier), and then a run out off the second ball, perfectly executed by debutant John (one of 4 run outs in the day).

At some point there was a strange non-hit wicket off a full toss from Barrie - the batsman attempted a big heave but fell on his stumps, started to walk until the square leg umpire gave a late (although fair) no ball call. Barrie ended up just pipping Guy to the best Tavs figures of the day using all his guile and experience - 1-25 off 7, also getting 2 maidens.

Martin came on to finish off the innings - bowling all his varieties to confuse the batsmen. By this point we'd got through their best batters and the runs were drying up considerably. Your humble vice captain returned for a second spell, varying his pace with mixed results. He finally pitched in with a wicket for once (hallelujah!) - a rather high lbw, but he'll take anything at the moment...

So Royal Sovereign set us 200 on the dot to win - a gettable total, but still tricky on the slow wicket and slow outfield. Decent tea from North Mid, although I didn't understand the breadcrumbed pineapple wheel thing.

Guy must've been on his best behaviour this week - opening the batting to compliment his fine opening bowling spell. Simon joined him for his first opening stint of the season. We soon discovered that their bowling attack was pretty decent - nothing massively quick but really tight and not many bad balls. Greg and Matthias went out to ump and both enjoyed the banter on the field - plenty of hilarious light hearted bickering and taking the piss between the fielders, perhaps the Tavs should follow suit - encouragement is overrated...

Guy was bowled off one that nipped back in from Sovereign's equivalent opening star (the leftie batter who also opened the bowling as a rightie). That brought in Dom at 3 and things were tough - timing was hard on this wicket, I don't think I recall any Tav properly middling a big scoring shot. There were no handouts from the bowlers and runs were scarce, coming in 1s and 2s. No wickets were lost up to drinks, although with the run rate creeping up and up, a quiet word was given by the skip to try to push on (and less quiet words to the same effect were given by the ever-encouraging batters-to-be on the sidelines).

Simon and Dom then tried to thrash it a round a bit with mixed results - runs were accumulating, but inevitably a wicket had to fall with more risks being taken; Simon having to take one for the team. Your skipper came in and tried to thrash things around a bit, but still the required run rate was being pushed up. Dom and Eiran had a decent partnership with some boundaries finally coming, but both fell in quick succession to bring in the two debutants John and Dave.

At this point there was no time to play yourself in, so unfortunately we didn't get to see the best of our debutants. However, from the net session earlier in the day I definitely predict good things to come from Dave and John this season - batting depth has been added to the middle order.

With the run rate moving into double figures, your humble narrator came in and tried to thrash things around but failing miserably. However, there was plenty of fun to be had between the wickets, stealing singles and twos off everything and anything - apparently your vice skipper didn't realise that it wasn't tip and run. This inevitably led to a run out (sorry Barrie/John as his runner!), but by this time the result was inevitable. My shoe even snapped in half due to all the running!

The Tavs innings came to a close with a couple of overs to go - the rest of the wickets fell understandably cheaply with everyone trying to go big or go home (we went home...).

However, a great day was had by all - we weren't too far behind our oppo in terms of skill, but perhaps a long way behind in terms of banter! They were a really good group of guys, a great find this season (nice one Barrie!) - we've already been invited back for a reverse fixture in London Fields, your vice skipper is definitely keen. We retired to the North Mid upstairs bar for beer and ping pong, Dom winning the (vice-)captain's tankard for his top score and eventful one over cameo.

I think the highlight of the Tavs' weekend was welcoming John and Dave into the fold - hope you enjoyed and are keen to join us for the rest of the season!

Cheers,

Vice Skip

(photos courtesy of Liam Prior - thanks Liam)