Falkland [H] Match Report
Poor old Tommy. He's plugged away with the match reports this season, trying to stoke up some optimism after loss after loss, and the day he's not available and hands responsibility over to me... we get a win!
After our close loss away to Falkland on a sunny day a few weeks ago (remember summer? That was nice wasnt it?) we went into today's return fixture with a tangible determination; sensing that maybe we could get our first win in almost two years.
First, just like up at Old Trafford, the weather looked like it could potentially scupper us, and the match was reduced to 25 overs each in order to try to fit in some play before the weather moved in.
We started on time under clear skies however, with Ramsbury winning the toss and, in a buck of our usual trend, opting to bat first.
Ir was a confident start. A couple of wickets were lost (both Lawrence and Paddy bowled, I believe?) but Jamie looked set early and was scoring quickly with some aggressive hitting, so there wasn't too much concern.
Mindful of getting the run rate up a little should the Duckworth Lewis Method come into effect, skipper Chris was unfortunate to glove a ball to the keeper (umpire Paddy was oblivious to this but Chris nobly walked) and this brought me to the crease with a bit of work to do. Fortunately, Jamie sensed the risks involved in having such important responsibilities falling upon a guy who doesn't own his own bat and took on the work himself hitting a quickfire fifty before retiring and making way for debutant Harry. For the next few overs, while I played a sport more closely resembling rugby (you should see my whites this evening) Harry quickly got into the swing of things, hitting a quick fire and very assured forty-something.
We eventually finished our innings at 171 for 5 off the 25 overs and all sensed that this would be a defendable total given the very slow wicket and outfield.
These kind of days don't come often but they're oh so good when they do. We seemed on top of Falkland from the get-go with Al and Harry keeping the run rate well below what was required. I had a nice wicket with Paddy holding onto a mistimed slog. Sean and Lawrence then suffocated their batsman, totally slowing down their run rate, and we were tight in the field with Snooky and Warwick 'the Wall' Hall both on the on-side putting heaps of pressure on their batsman - who were quickly falling further and further behind the rate.
We already saw some rugby today... then there was some football. Sean, clearly with one eye on the approaching Ramsbury FC fixtures, performed some unbelievable goal line saves (and one that didn't quite go so well but we don't need to talk about that). Credit to Falkland, they did manage to get hold of a few after the 20th over and, with us so used to defeat in recent times, there was a little nervousness around the field that maybe, once again, we'd snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. No concern to Harry and Lawrence, however, who both claimed late wickets to slam the door on Falkand's hopes. Two in a row for Harry, who will now have to go about his daily life, knowing that the next ball he bowls for us could secure him a famous Ramsbury hat trick.
A much-deserved, long-awaited victory for us that was the result of an all-round team performance. Tears flowed in the pavilion and partying descended onto the streets of Ramsbury. Even the pubs closed early in fear of the overly jubilant celebrations that could maybe continue well into next week where we go in search of our second win on the trot away to Welford Park.
— Will ‘The Ripper’ Renwick