Telling Tails: Sunday vs Wilcot
By any standards what happened on Sunday was a rarity. A true 10/10 day and the first time in recent years that we've done it...
In short, we bowled Wilcot CC out in under 32 overs. And we knocked off their total without losing a wicket. 10 wickets taken in the field, 10 wickets retained when batting. And all wrapped up with more than 10 overs to spare.
It doesn't stop there either, our fielding was as near to 10/10 as you can expect for a Sunday side... with Jamie's insane caught bowled a seriously 10/10 catch. The kind of execution any professional would be pleased to see. Low down an inch or so off the ground to his right, and taken slightly behind him, it was one heck of a take. The kind of thing were a replay camera would, I'm sure, be welcomed by many to capture those moments.
Sean provided his true quality whilst Jamie backed up with an incredible display which included a second wicket and they jointly held Wilcot to just 29 runs off the first 10 overs.
When I took over from Jamie, I was desperate to impress, especially as Will at the other end had grabbed a lovely LBW in his opening over, 10/10 start! So I decided what better way than to castle the batsman and send him on his way on my first delivery, 10/10 ball.
The quick hands of Nick behind the stumps ensured I grabbed another as a very honest batsman gloved one down the leg side and he walked, but not before Will grabbed another, this time by beating the inside edge of the bat to take the bails off. At 16 overs, we'd grabbed 6 wickets, our most prolific bowling display to date, especially with a low running total too.
Things continued as Will tempted the batsman into an attempted six, only for the ball to be cushioned down by Jamies 'abs' to give Will a 3-fer. Somehow though there may be a late fine in play, three times Will got a wicket in an over, and three times he dodged the wicket maiden, going for just 1 run on each of the wicket-taking-overs. A truly fine display, but maybe 50p in there somehow haha.
Of course, this wasn't the end of our joys. Paddy drifted one in the air to tempt the batsman to drive... straight into Will at point to end his first over, before ripping one into the stumps just 2 balls into his second over to take a second helping.
Sean returning for a second 'spell' and after being wicketless (somehow) in his first 5 overs was looking to get a reward. It took just one ball as he bowled the batsman sending us all back to the clubhouse for a slightly early tea. We bowled Wilcot out for 125 off 31.1 overs.
Of our 7 bowlers, 4 bowled maidens, 5 took wickets, 4 took two wickets or more, no one got hit for 6 and only 6 balls went for byes or leg byes. A great performance, backed up by brilliant fielding. The T20s have taught us the need for speed and quick thinking in the field and we held the opposition down with dots and 1s when we may have easily gone for 1s or 2s in years past. Well done team.
And this should take nothing away from Wilcot either. They have a great team, their 10th wicket partnership of 33 (the biggest of the day) showed they had quality in their side, but we were most definitely at our best this time.
A huge thanks to Will and Hannah for a smashing tea... Will's second attempt too this season having had one called off a few weeks before due to rain.
The second half was very straightforward, Jamie smashed a quick and impressive 50*, starting our scoring off with a 6 down the ground. Partnered with Nick who narrowly missed out on a 50 with 47* as he hit the winning runs. And Paddy made a great 18* to help seal the victory without a loss of wicket.
That was impressive. That was 10/10 from Ramsbury CC. A huge milestone in performance terms, especially having narrowly lost on the final ball during the opening game at Wilcot in May.
What a day, and in glorious weather too.
We look ahead to Sunday, at home once more against Falkland.
Our Sunday Captain is away, so it's time to rally together as we try to bring home another win. If you haven't already, get on Spond!
Go well. Cheers.
