Match Reports 2017

Match Report RTCC v Mighty Wanderers 2017

Sunday 7th May 2017

at Ferme Park (40 overs)

Wanderers 244-7

RTCC 245-5

RTCC won by 5 wickets

It turned out to be a good day weather wise. The tavs were up for it today. We won the toss and The skipper decided to put them in to bat on the grounds that it's very difficult to defend any score on the very small ferme park oval.

Tom mansbridge, a young tav was given the task of keeping it tight opening the bowling. It was a great success 6 over one for 24. His last over went for twelve so U can see the strangle hold we had on the wanders top order. He bowled with no real pace but was at the stumps all the time nibbling it in and out.

Greg charged up the hill and bowled Eight overs of quality pace bowling for 38 runs. A magnificent spell the wanders were right behind the eight ball and they didn't know it. Only 60 runs off 15 overs. We did it's one of our home grounds!

I decided the extra pace of Joe coming down the hill might be a good idea. It was, he bowled 8 overs for 39 runs. I know I keep mentioning the overs and runs but this is a pitch where an opponent has scored 380 off 40 overs. It was a kept tight by a Very hungry set of tavs. Even AJ got stuck in! I'm not even telling lies ... really and truly! I've got witnesses Well For 30 overs he tried his best, then the old Aj we know and love returned! He declared that he had spilt blood for the team. He had, three tiny drops!

Of course everyone else was fielding like a win depended on it. Chris Brooks kept wicket with heart and let thru 2 byes all day. Their keeper let thru 12. They had 56 extras we had 14. We really wanted the win. Chris also came up with the line of the day! That's an advert for thigh pad. After their skipper was hit on the thigh by another quick delivery from Greg. Big briuse ! (Check what's app photo).

Martin came on and was not up to his usual standards but got 1-54 off 6. In reality not a bad effort but he bowled too many full tosses and got swept to the short boundary. To be fair he was bowling against their two best batsmen Big Will and centurion josh ( his first ton, well played!)

Matthias came on up the hill with short boundary behind him and square. While Joe was still squeezing the life out of them from the other end. Matthias 's first ball got their hard hitting and technically best batsman Will bowled. It was beautifully flighted leg break that drew Will out to drive a ball that pitched 3 inches outside leg stump. He missed it and was bowled. it was sweet!

When I asked Matthias about it in the pub afterwards a huge smile came across his face even before the question was finished.

He also got josh caught by big Andy at square leg. A flat six but for Andy. Matthias got both their best batsmen out and could have saved us 50 runs or more on their total.

Then came Andy from the top end. 6 over 1-28 with Matthias taking a lovely catch behind square to return the favour.

Aymon came on up the hill afterward and got 2-16 of 3 overs. He bowled well and the unit loves a wicket! We had a target 245. We needed to bat well and not lose our heads and wickets.

Andy and Dom opened the batting. Their Instructions were to keep it very low risk. 40 for none of ten would be just fine. In the event they were 56 for none off ten and had played the wanders openers without alarm. The wanders needed early wickets and they hadn't got them.

Dom went for 22 playing across a straight one and was given out lbw.

The skipper came in and smashed it to all parts! Four sixes in his 68. Including bouncing one off the roof of the pavilion of the club next door.

Andy continued on his merry way until he was undone by a big inswinger first ball after the drinks breaks for 39. Joe was dispatched second ball lbw. Big Will bowled another in swinger, Joe came forward and was hit on the front pad. It was in stark contrast with Andy s lbw shout. Their left handed was pinned on the back foot having stepped across his stumps. A large appeal was turned down. Andy looked directly at his skipper and then burst out laughing, it was so plumb but that's just what happens at this level of cricket except when your playing us. I'm over it now I promise. I'm not really!

Aymon came in next and played himself in and dispatched the bad ball well, he was on 24 when he fell. It was his partnership with the skipper that really dealt the heavy body blows to the oppo. The score raced along in no time at all and the oppos heads dropped. The skipper was out caught and bowled giving his first and second chance of the season to the opposition in consecutive caught and bowled deliveries.

Aj and Greg came in and played experienced pros cricket. They weighed up the situation and did what was needed to win. They defended against the wicket taking bowlers, as there was no pressure from the run rate and dispatched the loose balls. Aj finished on 25 no and Greg on 12 no. Aj hitting a six and 4 boundaries after he'd played himself in. It was lovely to have such experience coming in at 6 and 7. We had won with 5 overs or so to spare and by 5 wickets in hand.

Then it was back to the tav for beers and banter. The railway laid on chips and nachos. The beer garden was full so we took over the back bar area, just like the old days. If u can't play why not come down for a beer, banter and some free food after the match? The wanders are a lovely bunch and a good time was had by all.

The skipper has the task of handing out the captains tanker. On the drive down to the tavern Joe was advocating for it to go to Matthias as he got both their best batsmen out. In the same breath he wanted a chat with Matthias about an umpiring lbw decision. You have to love this team.

Greg came close also for a magnificent spell and then doing the necessary with the bat. Aymon for his hard hitting batting and wicket taking bowling. The skipper even considered Aj for his innings for a nanosecond ( he wasn't injured when batting). In the end Andy James cracked the nod. 39 runs nice and calm at the top of the order and following the skippers instruction. 1-28 off 6 bowling at the death and catching centurion Josh and all of this on 3 and 1/2 hours sleep. He also called the railway to tell them that we would be coming back after the match with the opposition ( good work but no extra points for management) to have the free food put on for us.

It was a lovely day and great to get the first win of the season under our belts. The future looks bright.

Play straight, hit it hard and bowl at the stumps!

The skipper